Blake May, J.D., CFP®

The four ways to convert home equity into usable money, covering HELOCs, cash-out refinancing, downsizing, and reverse mortgages.

Consulting work during the transition into retirement affects self-employment tax, Medicare premiums, and health insurance costs.

The method you use to donate to charity should maximize the benefit to your chosen organization and your tax return.

A trust can be a valuable tool to protect assets from creditors, tailor your estate plan, avoid probate, and maintain privacy.

An effective succession plan uses advance preparation to maximize your personal wealth while supporting business continuity.

Non-probate assets, like IRAs and brokerage accounts, pass to heirs according to beneficiary designations rather than a will.

Permanent life insurance policies often have expensive monthly premiums, which can undermine your ability to save for retirement.

A financial windfall, from a bonus, settlement, inheritance, or even winning lottery ticket, requires a unique approach.

Holding cash may have been prudent when interest rates were high, but your investment plan might need to change as rates decline.