Making a Will   Writing a WIll & Estate Planning

Casper Funeral Services


Gone are the days of the traditional funeral being the only way to go. Now the final choice is made not based on the person’s “Last Wish” but rather on which generation is making the funeral arrangements.

If the person for whom the funeral arrangement is being made is part of the “World War II” generation then the funeral is more likely to the “American Traditional.” This funeral choice would include visitation services; church; newspaper; limousine; cemetery burial and reception after the funeral. However, if the deceased is without personal funds to pay for their funeral, the final funeral choice then depends on the person faced with using their funds to pay for the “Traditional” funeral services. Each generation has a different idea regarding funeral choices and accompanying expenses.

The next generation, the “Baby Boomers” may possibly dip into their own funds to go “Traditional” but it less likely because of changing economic times. The X and Y generations have even less available funds. Clearly, each generation has a very different opinion as to what a funeral service should include.

Large number of “World War II and “Baby Boomers” generations make Pre-Need funeral arrangements. Pre-Need is based on using available funds. If the person doesn’t exercise the option of using currently available funds then the family will have to pay for the funeral services at the time of need. This is the first and main reason for making “Pre-Need” funeral arrangements. It is a case of…Use it or lose it.

The second reason the “World War II and “Baby Boomer” generations make Pre Need because the person making the arrangement knows that their family doesn’t have the funds to carry out their final wishes at the time of need. The third reason for “Pre-Need” is because the person making the arrangement is without family. That person wants to be certain that if something were to happen to them, their funeral choice would be conducted without the involvement of anyone else.

When the choice is being made by the “X” Generation and funds are not available they lean more toward funeral services with few enhancements. Cremation is included in the funeral service of choice for the X generation. The selection of a cremation saves on the cost of purchasing a cemetery grave, paying the opening and closing costs, and then placing a grave box or vault into the grave. For the X generation and even more so for the Y generation who have even less available funds, it’s a clear and simple choice.

“Today’s funerals are not about whom has passed away; it is about whom is making the actual choice. Now more than ever the funeral arrangement is a ‘Generational Choice’. Now more than ever…Funerals are generation driven. Each generations approach to funeral spending will continue to change the funeral service provider’s choices and payment options” says David A. Casper, Managing Funeral Director, Casper Funeral Home has been family owned for close to a century and are the leader in International Funeral Shipping and provides repatriation services from the United States to anywhere in the world.

Mike Testa


Funerals are a growth industry. As baby boomers age the U.S. death rate slowly creeps up. Not only is the death rate increasing, but funeral prices are now outpacing inflation (currently at 5%).

Since the average family plans a funeral only once every 15 years, many are shocked when they learn the typical funeral now costs more than $7,000…with many funeral services topping $10,000.

Rising funeral prices have become an even greater burden for a typical family already struggling with high gas and food prices. The souring economy has made it even harder for Americans to manage the financial toll created by expensive funerals.

However, thanks to a new breed of professional, more families are able to better control funeral expenses. For many people, these new professionals have given them a much needed financial lifeline when facing one of life’s most stressful events.

Enter the “funeral accountant”. While still a relatively rare occupation, a funeral accountant is a certified public accountant that specializes in helping families reduce their funeral expenses. Working with a funeral accountant can often reduce a family’s funeral expenses by 50% or more….saving thousands in the process.

This article shares some basic tips from America’s best known funeral accountant, Michael Testa, CPA. Michael is the creator of the successful www.funeral-tips.com website.

These simple strategies can be used by just about any family that wants (or needs!) to substantially lower the high cost of funeral or cremation services.

Tip #1 Find out what funeral options and prices are available in your area. Spending time to familiarize yourself with local offerings allows you to compare services and prices to ensure you find just what you need at the most reasonable cost.

Tip #2 Find out which funeral goods and services are required and which are optional. Simple ignorance causes the vast majority of families to pay for items that they not only didn’t want, but that they weren’t even required to buy. They simply bought what the funeral director told them they “needed” to buy. Remember: many funeral directors now work on a commission basis. The more you buy, the more they make. So funeral homes are not likely to offer you lower price options or point out items that aren’t required.

Tip #3 Find out who else sells the funeral goods you might need to buy. Simply knowing of other available purchase options gives you the leverage you need to negotiate a discount from your local funeral home. Knowing how much things should cost (and where the item can be purchased at a more reasonable price) can be enough to motivate your funeral director to reduce his prices to ensure he keeps the sale.

There are actually quite a few things you can do to reduce and control run-away funeral costs. This article only touched on a few of the more obvious strategies. You can find more money-saving tips and strategies by visiting www.funeral-tips.com

Donald Carmin


A person can find end number of different types of insurance policies in the market today, depending on the needs and requirements of the person he can choose one among all the insurance policies available. One among all these is term life insurance which is much in demand when compared to other types of insurance policies.

Term insurance is a claim which is made with the insurance company for a period of time, known as the term for this reason the name, term life assurance. A person can find Term life insurance in many different forms and possibly we come across it mostly when buying a home or covering business situation. Any uncertain situation can arise any moment in any one’s life, so having an insurance policy will help you to face these difficulties very easily.

Another form of insurance is travel insurance though the term may be as short as a day! But this kind of insurance includes a death benefit but the main purpose of coverage here is to ensure the insured receives proper medical treatment when needed and in the event of death, ensure the body can be transported home for funeral. Having a term life insurance helps to reduce the stress for your family members who are left back when you are no more in the world.

Term life insurance helps them in many different ways like paying off the funeral money and helping them by giving financial support. With the change in times, the cost of living have increased a lot due to which it takes two to earn and pay the bills to lead a comfortable life once the earning member or the head of the family expires. This is one such policy which takes care of all the finances in case of some unexpected event takes place to you or your family. .

These policies will usually include renewal opportunities with premiums that can increase considerably as an insured grows older. Often times these types of policies will include a clause requiring new proof of insurability. So, if the person is not feeling well, it may be impossible to get insurance after you develop a health condition or the policy may become unaffordable at a time when you might need it most. Term life insurance is usually renewable to age 75 and ends at policy end date if not renewed.

Finally, term insurance has a place for most of us in our lives at one point or another. First of all start what you need the cover for, how much and under what terms which will then lead you to whether a term insurance contract is right for you. If you keep all these things in mind then this will help you to make your negotiation of the insurance even easier. If you are purchasing insurance for the first time then educating yourself with the various insurance policies is a must. If enough time is given to this then it will help you to get best possible result.

Kacy Carr


The last goodbye at a funeral leaves you reminiscing about the good times, also leaving a trail of fond memories of the dearly departed. But after a funeral you find that it can also leave a huge debt hanging over your head.

The cost to bury a loved one can run into the thousands for a decent burial? What is a decent burial? What is the difference between decent and not so decent? The mind boggles.

For that extra few bob does the coffin of the decent funeral have a more highly polished finish. Does the deceased have more words said at the service? Well let me tell you a little secret, blurred vision and bloodshot eyes from weeping hamper the congregation from noticing the casket/coffin.

Words spoken at the funeral mass are rarely heard because other thoughts overpower any emotional sentiments, and one being is the worry over how to pay the funeral costs.

This is not the day for extravagance; imagine going to watch a stage play but the curtains never open -so what is the point for all that expense beacuse like said earlier – people are to upset to notice..

Decent and the not so decent goodbye

Mourners are there to share in your sorrow not to pass judgment on how many brass handles surround the coffin or what hymns are sung.

With not knowing the mechanics behind a funeral many families find themselves in a financial situation where they are faced with the heartache of trying to make ends meet.

In their time of grief the best of everything is chosen for their dearly departed which comes at a price that seems affordable at the time, that is till reality sets in where the departed was the breadwinner.

Life insurance is a necessity while in the land of the living; it can help lighten the load for those left behind after a bereavement

Unfortunately we have all experienced a loss at some time in our lives but should you at this present time be going through the experience of losing someone you love, then why not call on a member of the family to act on your behalf in arranging the funeral? This will be less of a burden for you to cope with while you come to terms with the death

Consider cutting funeral costs by

Less brass/save cash

Have the service shortened.

Funeral cars settle for 1 the hearse.

A family get together at the house, no big wake.

A small posy says farewell just the same as any large expensive wreath.

It is how you say goodbye in silent thought that matters giving the dearly departed the best send off ever.

Michael Alperstein


By Michael Alperstein

Writing gives you the opportunity to feel the rush of creative juices flowing, enables you to be heard, to be of service to your readership, and to clear your mind of extraneous thoughts and hone in on what really matters. But even on a good day, writing is challenging. Here are seven ways to help you access more creativity and increase enthusiasm for the writer’s journey.

1. Write in Different Mediums.

Although your writing will most likely end up in your word processor, be open to writing at least a percentage of the time in a different medium. Sit in a park and write in a notebook, try speaking into a recorder, or use an old typewriter. Even while using a computer, it is a great idea to stir things up sometimes: Try an unusual font or color, type with your non-dominant hand (some say this fuels creativity because it stimulates your right brain thinking), type super fast, or type very slowly, or experiment with different kinds of music while writing. It is also a good idea to print often and make notes in the margins. This gives you the bigger picture you need for clear and powerful writing.

2. Intertwine Reading with Writing.

If you feel blocked with your writing, go to the bookstore or library and read topics similar to the one you are working on. This is not so much an exercise in ‘comparing’ in order to feel that you can ‘do it better than them.’ The deeper benefit to gain from more reading is to realize the interconnectedness between writing and reading. School teachers often make reading and writing sound as if they are two totally different activities, but they are intrinsically connected. When you read, you open up and make space for new ideas to come into your mind. Writing is fundamentally no different.

One way to see the connection between the two is to practice active reading. Active reading is reading the text as text, not being fully absorbed in its meaning, and instead having a small amount of attention on learning new techniques and styles.

Use the connection between reading and writing to your advantage by dancing between them until you can sense their relationship. This short circuits writer’s block faster than anything I know.

3. Focus on Solutions.

Remember to bring your attention back to the solutions to the “problems” you see with your writing. Powerful writing is about turning attention inward to find new ideas amongst a field of infinite ideas. There is great benefit to re-focusing your attention in a surprising and positive new direction. This is done by putting attention on your inner data bank of writing tips: Show don’t tell, say more with less, keep the tension high for your main character, highlight the benefits to your reader, and so forth.

The primary consideration for editing your work should be: “What can I add or delete that will create a stronger next draft?” This question takes you out of self-judgment and into a solution mind frame.

4. Use Emotions to Fuel Creativity

Be it calmness, fear, or passion, any emotion can stir the creative pot and help you be a better writer. Realize there is a connection between your emotions and your future readers. Consider this: The quality of your emotional state while writing will impact the quality of the emotional state of your future readers. When your writing is flowing, direct your attention inward on the feeling of the creative flow and the emotions along with it. Bask in the flow. All your emotions will help.

For example, if you are writing a piece you hope will uplift readers, be as conscious and calm as possible while writing. See if you can tap into the feeling you want your readers to feel. Breathe. Stretch every now and then. The clearer and more at peace you are while you write, the clearer and more at peace your readers will feel down the line.

Similarly, if you are writing a thriller, do all you can to get your adrenaline rushing while you write. You might do some push ups, play loud music or write in candle light. Notice your body and posture. If you want future readers to be afraid, you might purposely breathe shallowly for a while or literally sit on the edge of your seat. Your body posture is important. It helps you transmute whatever you are feeling into creative inspiration.

5. Give Help to Another Writer.

Helping someone else is a great way to help yourself. There is an art to giving useful feedback. Here are some tips:

a. Help the other writer brainstorm new options. Suggest a different metaphor, another example, a new direction, or another word. Endeavor to open doors.

b. Ask questions: What is the significance of this paragraph? Could you explain this idea better? Who is your target audience? How do you want your audience to react to this?

c. Again, focus on solutions not on problems or personal reactions. For instance, if you are critiquing someone’s crime thriller and you start to lose interest, say “How about more danger here?” instead of just saying “I got bored.”

No matter what it is you do not like about the writing, know there is always a fix.

d. Keep it real. Express the negative in a way that encourages the writer to improve.

Distinguish your reaction from the writing itself. See your opinions as opinions, not external facts.

6. Get Help from Another Writer.

Hiring a writing coach or getting feedback from other writers will improve your writing better than anything I know. Or start or join a writing group. But you still need to stay true to yourself and write what is in your heart. There is an art to benefiting from other people’s feedback. Here is what I suggest:

a. Ask for the specific help you want. Do you want the other person to help you with character development? Organization? Grammar? Or perhaps you are ‘wide open’ to all input, which is fine, but it’s good to say this out in the open.

b. The sting! How do you handle it if the feedback you receive is negative? You dig deeper and rewrite! When someone points something out about your writing that you couldn’t see, it is a gift to you no matter how much it may sting at first. But you still need to stay true to your own message. Maybe you keep your writing the way it is and calmly reject the feedback. Be grateful to the other person for reassuring you that you are already on the right track with your writing. You know what you want to say. Stay true to your craft.

7. Put Your Writing Out There.

Be willing to say goodbye to perfectionism and share your writing with others. Share it for the joy of being seen or the joy of being of service to others. It’s not easy to go public, but it can get easier. One way I have found to make it easier is to reflect upon the following idea: To share writing with a small number of people is not fundamentally different than sharing it with a large number of people. For example, suppose I share a writing piece with three other people: One person dislikes it; one thinks it’s okay; and one loves it. The feelings I experience when I hear their responses can be just as intense as if I shared my writing with thousands of people! Suppose ten thousand people disliked it, ten thousand thought it was okay, and ten thousand loved it. I am not necessarily going to feel different than I did with three people.

Explore this yourself. Above all, trust your own perceptions and instincts as you go public with your writing and you will successfully navigate outer opinions.

Jerry R. Guy


The largest cost variable in funeral prices is usually the merchandise selected. In most cases (but not always) this variable will be determined by the price of the casket selected.

While no one likes to think about buying one, caskets in reality are like any other retail product. Unlike the “coffins” of old, caskets now come in all colors imaginable and are made from countless different woods and metals. Like other retail products, a casket can be as expensive or inexpensive as one may choose.

Purchasing a casket today can be as simple as sitting at your kitchen table with the “click of a mouse” on your home computer. Many chain retail stores are now offering caskets as well. As this trend continues to grow, it will certainly effect casket prices as more third party retailers begin to sell caskets and other funeral merchandise.

Most funeral facilities have long recognized the impact of increased competition and funeral merchandise sales. Over the past few years funeral homes and other funeral providers

have become very competitive in casket pricing with these third party casket vendors. For this reason, I suggest you talk with your funeral facility of choice before making a casket purchase elsewhere. You could be surprised and you lose nothing by weighing all of your options before you decide.

As with other major retail product purchases, careful consideration should be given before selecting and purchasing a casket. These considerations should offer an excellent opportunity for substantial savings in purchasing

a casket and in the total funeral costs.

Jerry R. Guy


Making funeral plans can be a very stressful event. Many things must be considered and decisions made. This usually comes at a time when most people are at their worst, mentally.

Today, it is not uncommon for traditional funeral and burial costs to be well over $10,000+ in many areas of the United States, and these costs continue to rise fast! This is due in large part, to the rapid increase in cremation rates over

the past few years. As a result, many families are finding it difficult to pay these expenses. This makes an already difficult time much harder for the family.

As an active licensed funeral director with over 28 years funeral service experience, I have personally assisted thousands of families in making funeral plans for a loved one. While some were prepared, unfortunately in my experiences, most were not and finances was usually the key issue.

One way to avoid this problem is to consider prearranging funeral services. Many funeral homes and cemeteries now offer programs that allow you to preplan funeral and burial arrangements. In some cases, they will even freeze your costs for these services. As a funeral director, I strongly

urge anyone to consider looking into these options at your facility of choice. This one thing alone could potentially save you thousands of dollars as funeral prices continue to escalate.

Another way is to become educated about the process of funeral planning. There is an abundance of material available on this subject and much of it is free for the asking. Contact your funeral facility of choice, most will

be happy to send you educational material that could possibly save you thousands of dollars when the time of need arises and hopefully make that time less stressful.

Daniela Lungu


Seven Reasons To Have an Estate Plan

By: Daniela Lungu

  

1. Will Alone Does Not Avoid Probate

When a client prepares a will, they assume that this document will allow them to pass all their property and cash assets to their beneficiaries without consequence.  That is entirely incorrect. In fact, preparing just a will is a direct invitation to go to Probate Court. In Probate Court, a judge has to decide if the will is valid, if the beneficiaries are still around in order to inherit, and if there is a will contest among the remaining family members, before the inheritance can be made.  The Probate Process is our judiciary’s attempt to assist individuals who have not taken the time to properly plan, in determining how assets are to be distributed, and to whom.  Probate rules are set out in California Probate Code §7000 et. seq. 

2. Without Proper Planning, Statutory Distribution Scheme Goes Into Place Which May Not Be Consistent With Your Wishes

The only thing that a properly prepared will succeeds in doing is avoiding the California Statutory Intestate scheme for distribution of assets from going into effect.  That provision, detailed in Probate Code §6400 et. seq. is the legislature’s attempt to determine a person’s natural beneficiaries when those individuals were not identified in a written will or other document.  This might mean that persons that you would otherwise not include in your list become a beneficiary of your estate and are entitled to inherit your money and other assets.

3. Probate Is Expensive and Time Consuming

Probate costs between 10 and 30% of the gross estate.  Yes, this is not a typo.  All calculated fees are based on a person’s gross estate, and not a net estate.  There are many fees that are assessed in the probate process, such as court filing fees, publication fees, service of process fees, probate examiner fees, realtor fees, and of course fees paid to the Executor and the Attorney for completing this process.  These statutory fees, set out at Probate Code §10800 et. seq. provides the guidelines for how much an attorney and Executor are entitled to in compensation for completing the probate process.  So, for a typical estate worth $500,000 gross, the cost for the services of the Executor and the Attorney for the Executor would be approximately $26,000.00.  Since a gross estate includes a variety of assets, including real and personal property, cash and savings accounts, insurance policies without named beneficiaries, and much more, most people’s gross estate far exceeds the amount in this example, so the probate fees would be much higher.  In addition, probate is often a long drawn out process, and even uncomplicated estates often take over two years to completely run its course through the courts.

 

4. Use of Living Trusts Can Avoid Probate and Excessive Taxes

A Living Trust is considered a legal entity, recognized by the Legislature and the Courts as having the capacity to transfer assets to beneficiaries without the need for the Probate process.  A properly created and fully funded trust, in addition to a pour-over will, does the task of not only avoiding probate, but possibly eliminating or reducing taxes.  A Living Trust or Revocable Trust is a contract between you, the settlor, and the successor trustee to distribute funded assets to your intended beneficiaries.  A trust can own or have title to all assets in your estate, including real property, personal property, cash, savings and retirement accounts, life insurance policies and more.  Using an Estate Planning attorney to properly draft, and then fund a trust with all your assets, effectively avoids the lengthy probate process.   In addition, a properly drafted trust, utilizing all available tax exemptions, effectively reduces or eliminates Estate Taxes, which can be as much as 45% of the non-exempt amount.

5. Health Care Wishes Will Not Be Addressed Without Complete and Current Advance Health Care Directives

Everyone remembers the story of Terry Schiavo, the young lady whose persistent vegetative state caused a massive legal and financial battle between her husband and parents over her right to live or die.  Over many years, legal posturing and political struggles, her battle finally ended on March 31, 2005.  Everyone seems to agree on one thing in this case.  If Terry had an Advance Health Care Directive in place, properly drafted and executed, she would have had the “voice” to tell her family what she ultimately wanted to do about her health care. It would have avoided the entire problem.

6. Health Care Issues Might Impact Accounts Being Kept Current Without Durable Powers

Have you ever wondered what would happen to your house and financial obligations if you were not able to pay those payments, write those checks or make calls to handle your finances?  What happens if you have a stroke, or are involved in an automobile accident which renders you unable to communicate, temporarily, with family members about what to do with those accounts or your assets?  The reality is that your medical care could cease and you could lose your house and property while you were recovering from an illness.  Without giving a trusted individual the Limited Power of Attorney granted in a Durable Power of Attorney to manage those financial responsibilities during your incapacity, all could be lost.

7. Without Guardianship Nomination Forms, Minor Children Lose

If you have minor children, you probably have had the thought or even the conversation with family members about what should happen to minor children if something happens to the custodial parent(s).  But is the family entirely in agreement?  Does everyone know what role each of them plays in your child’s life?  Do they know where to get access to funds for their health care, education, maintenance and support should something happen to you?  There is a very real possibility that if you and your spouse have not taken the time to write out your wishes adequately, that a family battle could ensue over guardianship of  minor children, which might mean that the children have to go to foster care while the battle is being fought in court.

 

The preceding should not be considered tax or legal advice.  Please consult with your financial and legal advisors for information appropriate to your specific circumstances.

Steven W Allen


Estate planning sounds like it should be done only by the very wealthy. However, it is a very necessary financial step that most people need to take. You don’t need to consider estate planning if:

-You have no assets at all or

-You don’t care who receives your assets

For most people, these guidelines mean that you need to put your estate planning in place today. The only question is what form that will or living trust should take.

Your Will: Courtesy of the State

In reality, neglecting to prepare an estate plan just means that you are deferring to the intestate (dying without a legal will) laws that have been set in your state by lawmakers. Typically your estate will be divided as follows, in order of priority:

1. Spouse

2. Children

3. Parents

4. Brothers and Sisters

5. Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, other distant relatives

Laws differ from place to place, but are set by family relationships. In some cases, all assets will be passed along to only the survivors on the first level of priority. For example, if you have children and no spouse, your children will receive everything; however, if you have a spouse then he or she will receive everything and your children nothing. In other places, it is divided amongst the survivors on more than one level, like between children and parents.

Estate Planning for the Good of All

If you care about who receives your assets, then estate planning is necessary. A revocable living trust is an efficient tool, which will make it possible for you to take care of several things at once.

Your will won’t be subjected to court-supervised probate over the distribution of assets. Your assets will go to your chosen heirs. Your assets will be distributed in the manner you have chosen. You will save your heirs from a lot of unnecessary headaches at an already difficult time.

Living trusts allow you to dictate the conditions under which your heirs receive their inheritance and when (as long as the living trust is properly worded). This will ensure that a child does not spend all the inheritance they receive and prevents a favorite grandchild from missing out on assets meant for them. You can also state who is to run any businesses you own, upon your death, and the distribution of assets from it. This will help to avoid conflict with such issues.

By putting a living trust in place, you safeguard the future of your heirs for more than just one generation and have the peace of mind that wills simply can not provide. Careful consideration of estate planning benefits everyone you love and the businesses and assets that you have worked a lifetime to build.

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