$mart Money

04/09/2026

Many homes have exceeded the current $500k cap gain exclusion.

Discover why this unexpected expense is surprising a growing number of homeowners.

03/20/2026

New IRS tax form for 2025

Millions of taxpayers are using a new IRS form to claim deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest and seniors. What is Schedule 1-A?

02/22/2026

Banks have started tapping into automation even more, just like any other business. Many institutions have said that automation and AIhelp them flag fraudu...

02/01/2026

Senior Benefits

Advertiser and Editorial Disclosures 16 Benefits Seniors Are Entitled to But Often Forget to Claim Last updated Jan. 30, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors You could be missing out on $1,000s, and you might not even realize it. Sure, you might know about some senior discounts at diners or retail stores.....

01/14/2026

January 2026
CREATING A FAMILY TRUST-
For many investors, a family trust may be a key part of a smart estate and financial plan, especially for preserving and passing on wealth.
A family trust is a specific type of trust you could use to help ensure your loved ones receive your wealth, and potentially avoid public disclosure of trust assets.
Wondering if a family trust is right for your assets?
Speaking with a financial advisor could be a good first step to answering that question and potentially setting one up.
Benefits of a family trust:

Avoid probate: Helps keep matters private and potentially saves your heirs time and legal fees.

Shield assets: Potentially protect assets from creditors, lawsuits, and even divorce.

Legacy planning: Define how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritance.

Tax strategy: With estate tax thresholds set to decrease in 2026, trusts can potentially be used proactively to minimize exposure and lock in current exemptions while they last.

However, setting up a trust isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are important choices to make:

Revocable or irrevocable?
Who serves as trustee?
How will it be funded and maintained over time?

How to Set Up a Family Trust
Speaking with a financial advisor may help find the trust option that best suits your needs.
Next, a trustee must be designated – yourself or someone else.
Then, decide which family members you want to potentially benefit from the trust and determine exactly what they may get.
From there, you’d create the trust agreement. This is when it could be better to work with a professional, especially if you have substantial assets.
Next, the trust must be funded by transferring assets to the ownership of the trustee.
These decisions will likely depend on your specific goals, family dynamics, and long-term strategy.
This could be why many investors may work with a fiduciary financial advisor to help integrate trust planning into their broader wealth planning strategy.
Advisors may be able to help coordinate with estate attorneys, optimize for tax efficiency, and ensure your trust supports your retirement, investment and legacy goals.
SmartAsset’s latest proprietary model reveals that working with a financial advisor could potentially add from 36% to 212% more dollar value to investors’ portfolios over a lifetime, depending on multiple unique, individual factors.

10/14/2025

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10/11/2025

I suffer from stress emanating from unresolved issues.

Amazonfounder Jeff Bezos has a counterintuitive take on workplace stress: It doesn’t come from hard work itself, but fro...

08/24/2025

https://l.smartnews.com/p-64kNjeUM/FrpNuW

Once you turn 65, there is a 70% chance that you are going to need some kind of long-term care during the remainder of your lifetime, according to LongTermCa...

08/18/2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/always-pay-these-7-monthly-bills-before-the-first-of-the-month/ar-AA1owxII?
PAY THESE 7 MONTHLY BILLS BEFORE THE FIRST OF THE MONTH

Most Americans are in debt. With cost of living still surging and lingering inflation, budgets are tight, prompting many to rely on credit cards for living expenses and groceries. Trending Now: 4...

08/05/2025

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/warren-buffett-said-buying-distressed-102604857.html

If you remember 2008, chances are you also remember the fear. Home values were collapsing. Borrowers were defaulting. The phrase "underwater mortgage" was everywhere. But fast forward to 2012, and Warren Buffett was telling CNBC viewers something no ...

08/02/2025

Top Investment firms.