John J. Diak, CFP®
Digital Estate Planning: 5 Steps to Protect Your Digital Assets
Estate planning doesn’t end with your will. You should make sure there is a plan in place for your digital assets, also.
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John J. Diak, CFP®
- Apr 11
- 5 min
Understanding Special Needs Trusts
If you have a disabled loved one, a special needs trust can give them access to additional assets without losing their benefits.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Mar 21
- 5 min
Choosing a Caregiver When Family Isn’t an Option
Choosing a caregiver for a loved one is a daunting task that will likely have you navigating unfamiliar waters.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Feb 7
- 5 min
How to Protect Your Children and Their Inheritance with a Trust
Do you plan to leave everything to your children? Placing your assets in a trust is a good way to protect them from the downsides.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jun 7, 2021
- 7 min
Checklist for What to Do When a Spouse or Parent Dies
When a spouse or parent dies, there are lots of details to take care of. This checklist will help you know what to do so you avoid mistakes.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Feb 8, 2021
- 6 min
Checklist for Estate Planning: Review Estate Planning Documents
Estate planning is a complex process that is never fully finished. Use this checklist to review your estate planning documents.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jan 11, 2021
- 4 min
Revisiting Your Beneficiary Designations
Periodically revisiting your beneficiary designations for insurance and retirement accounts is critical to ensure your final wishes are met.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Dec 10, 2019
- 3 min
End-of-Life Planning: Does Your Family Know Your Wishes?
End-of-Life planning should be a priority, it is the process of making critical decisions about how you want your healthcare, medical treat
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Oct 7, 2019
- 5 min
Is Vulnerability Planning Factored Into Your Estate Plan?
Your estate planning should cover more than just what happens to your assets when you die. It also needs to account for how your assets are
John J. Diak, CFP®
- May 1, 2019
- 8 min
10 Smart Tips for Getting Organized with Estate Planning
Creating an estate plan in case of your death or disability can help your heirs avoid unneeded stress and uncertainty. Here are 10 steps to
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Feb 26, 2019
- 6 min
When a Family Member Dies
When a family member dies there are a multitude of issues to look after, from getting a copy of the death certificate to finding insurance p
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jan 15, 2019
- 4 min
An Executor Checklist
It is no small responsibility to serve as an executor, especially for a complex estate. Prepare for the tasks ahead of you, so that you may
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Oct 30, 2018
- 4 min
Minimizing Probate When Setting Up Your Estate
Probate can eat up as much as 5% of your estate. How can you exempt more of your assets from probate and its costs? Here are a few ideas.
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Apr 2, 2018
- 3 min
Are Your Beneficiary Designations Up to Date?
Your beneficiary choices may seem obvious when you initially make them, time has a way of altering things. In a stretch of five or ten years
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Mar 20, 2018
- 3 min
The Risk of Being a Suddenly Single Woman
With a clear understanding of where she stands, financially, a widow may evaluate her investment and wealth management options and take step
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jan 2, 2018
- 3 min
Talking to Your Heirs About Your Estate Plan
Some of us may retire at 65 and live to 100 or 105. Advances in health care may make this a strong possibility. The corresponding question i
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Dec 26, 2017
- 3 min
An Estate Plan or a Wealth Transfer Strategy?
There are three degrees of estate planning: advanced, basic, and none at all. Basic estate documents may be in place but they may not convey
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Nov 7, 2017
- 3 min
Financial Priorities Young Families Should Address
Parenting presents you with definite, sudden, financial needs to address. By focusing on those needs today, you may give yourself a head sta
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Oct 31, 2017
- 3 min
Understanding the Gift Tax
Practically speaking, the federal gift tax is a tax on estates. If it wasn’t in place, the rich could simply give away the bulk of their mon
John J. Diak, CFP®
- Jul 18, 2017
- 3 min
Who Needs Estate Planning?
If you don’t leave behind an estate plan, your family could face major legal issues and (possibly) bitter disputes; making the plan may leav