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Our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses the question, how much life insurance should I have?

“I recently had a baby, and it is time to buy some life insurance. But, I feel like I am being sold rather than advised. How much life insurance should I have? Lastly, is there a general rule about how much life insurance I should have as part of my estate plan?”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Life Insurance is a Non-Probate Asset, Unaffected by You Will:

“My sister went to jail, so mother changed her Will and gave me the entire estate. She forgot to remove my sister from her life insurance. Now I hear life insurance is a Non-Probate Asset. Who gets the life insurance?”

Ask a Question” mailbag: I need life insurance as part of my estate plan to cover the cost of my son’s college tuition and pay off the mortgage. What policy best fits my needs?

First, focus on the reasons for why you are purchasing life insurance. Life insurance is an excellent Estate Planningtool, but only if you are clear as to its purpose.

The “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses the question, how much life insurance do I need?

“How do I calculate how much life insurance do I need as part of my estate plan? My principal goal is making sure I provide for my children until they graduate from college.”

Our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses naming children as beneficiary.

“Should my life insurance name my children as beneficiary?”

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother is incapacitated and living in an assisted living facility in Camden County, New Jersey. She appointed my brother agent under her Power of Attorney. My mother has a life insurance policy that names me as beneficiary. My brother refuses to make the payment, so the policy will soon lapse. Can I make the payment?

You certainly can make the payment, as the insurance company does not care who sends the check. The life insurance company will only care if the check clears.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother is incapacitated and living in an assisted living facility in Burlington County, New Jersey. She appointed my brother agent under her power of attorney. My mother has a life insurance policy on her life that names me as beneficiary. My brother refuses to make the payment, so the policy will soon lapse. Can I make the payment?

You certainly can make the payment, as the insurance company does not care who sends the check. The life insurance company will only care if the check clears. If the policy is a term policy, you should consider when the policy lapses.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother is incapacitated and living in an assisted living facility in Atlantic County, New Jersey. She appointed my brother Agent under her Power of Attorney. My mother has a life insurance policy that names me as beneficiary. My brother refuses to make the payment, so the policy will soon lapse. Can I make the payment?

The insurance company does not care who sends the check. Therefore, you certainly can make the payment.

The real question you should be asking here is: should you make the payment?

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Last year, my mother died in Philadelphia and named me as beneficiary of her life insurance. As my children were the contingent beneficiaries, I decided to disclaim the inheritance, and the insurance money passed to my children. I was recently in a car accident. If I am sued can they claim that life insurance money?

No one can force you to take an inheritance. If you properly disclaimed your interest in the life insurance, then you never received it.

Summary: In 2014, a trust utilizing Crummey powers allows an individual to contribute $14,000 a year ($28,000 for married couples) into a trust without diminishing the lifetime gift tax exemption. Instead, the gift is exempt from the gift tax under the Annual Gift Tax Exclusion. These gifts can help avoid the 40% Federal Gift Tax, preserving wealth for the family.