When country singing sensation Shania Twain released her hit song, “Don’t Be Stupid,” she must have been singing to people who opt for a will instead of a trust. They’re as antiquated in their thinking as folks who don’t have microwaves, cell phones, or computers.

How did we ever make it without such modern-day conveniences? They save time, money, and headaches. Yet, a lot of people who wouldn’t be caught dead without those everyday appliances will be caught dead without the one simple document that preserves what they worked for all their lives.

How can the same people who’ve updated their kitchen, their communications system, and their typewriter continue to live in the dark ages with regards to their own life savings? Just as it doesn’t make sense to fire up the stove to warm a cup of coffee, or plunk quarters in a pay phone to call the office, or bang away at an old Smith-Corolla, the fact is, wills are obsolete. Read the rest of this entry »

With the stock market still reeling in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy, real estate is gaining favor among the most died-in-the-wool securities investors. The downside is that real estate, just like stocks and bonds, is subject to market volatility brought about by economic pressures. Unless we have the power of Alan Greenspan, we have no control over market volatility. What we can do, however, is provide a double layer of protection for real estate and other assets by following a model used by wise investors. Read the rest of this entry »