Category: Wisdoms

  • ‘Rocks in a Box’ & Other Crimes

    Over the years, we’ve covered the devastating effects of fake lotteries that have resulted in Hawai‘i seniors losing millions of dollars (even their homes); the distressed relative scam (more commonly referred to as the “Grandma Scam”); sweetheart swindles/sham marriages; and the actions of adult children and caregivers who have stolen not only the life savings…

  • Capturing the Heart of an Estate Plan

    The usual response I receive when I ask, “What brings you here?” during an initial meeting with clients, is, “To avoid probate and minimize taxes.” Avoiding probate and taxes are good goals, and easy to resolve. The much more difficult — and much more meaningful work — is all relational. When we delve further into…

  • Make Your Giving Go Further

    Technology has made all of our lives easier. Just by using a smartphone, you can talk to people all over the world, check the weather forecast or reserve a seat on a plane. The true power of the smartphone is how it combines a myriad of tools into a single, sleek device. As you support…

  • ‘Test Drive’ Your Estate Plan

    Kingdom Advisors founder Ron Blue takes an interesting approach to estate planning. He advocates lifetime giving as a way to assure that the objects of your bounty are worthy recipients of your wealth. This could play out a couple of different ways. As Blue points out, there are three places your “stuff” can go after…

  • Control Healthcare Costs in Retirement

    It’s no secret that healthcare becomes a bigger concern for most of us as we grow older. More ailments are likely to develop, which means more money is spent to visit health professionals and purchase medications. Even if you remain healthy through your later years, the costs of preventative care and preparing for potential, unexpected…

  • Lightning Does Strike Twice

    When Terry discovered his home had been burglarized, the frustration of having to replace his valuables paled in comparison to the feelings of being violated. Then, several nights later, someone entered his garage and stole his car. What Terry didn’t realize was that during the burglary of his home, the thief took his spare set…

  • Make Yours a Soulful Estate Plan

    If an estate plan is our final personal and intimate letter to our loved ones, why is it that we can’t understand it when we read it? This last intimate writing should be full of our unique, personal and emotional voice, yet, it reads like a sterile contract, devoid of any human feeling or emotion.…

  • A Living Legacy: The Gift of Education

    There are ways you can help your children and grandchildren lower the price of higher education. One of the best ways is to establish and contribute to a qualified 529 plan. Contributions grow tax-free; distributions to the student for education expenses are also free of federal tax, and in general, state tax, as well. If…

  • Keeping Peace in the Family

    In May of last year, Reuters reported that a Georgia judge had agreed to appoint a mediator to help the family of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. decide whether to sell Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize and his personal Bible. Dr. King carried the Bible during the historic marches and rallies of the…

  • Navigating Your First Year in Retirement

    Like most Americans, you’ve probably spent years working to achieve the retirement of your dreams. There comes a point when this milestone changes from a distant goal to an imminent reality. You can make your first year away from work more rewarding and less stressful if you anticipate potential challenges and prepare for how you…

  • The Hidden Costs of Probate Court

    The Hidden Costs of Probate Court by Stephen B. Yim, Attorney at Law from the Oct-Nov 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life

  • Hiring Strangers as Caregivers

    Hiring Strangers as Caregivers by Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from the Oct-Nov 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life