DEAR ERIC: The most important family member to me is my brother, the only person who’s been there since my birth and never let me down. We’re both retired, and he’s very, very sick, partly from past ...

An inheritance can add to your finances, but taxes may reduce the amount that reaches you. Some states tax beneficiaries ...

Sometimes, a parent will give money or property to a child or grandchild while the parent is alive. Gifts made while the gift-giver is alive are legally called “inter vivos” gifts. When there are ...

Should an inheritance be strictly an inheritance, to be left to children when their parents die? Or should parents use at least some of that money while they’re still alive to help out their adult ...

Dear Amy: My mother recently died, and I’m expecting a relatively substantial inheritance from her (my dad died several years ago). My younger brother, also not living, has two adult children. My ...

While it's true that most parents still leave money to their children, close friends or charity, others believe that leaving anything behind is a waste. The bottom line is that there are valid reasons ...

Although a new $5.25 million exemption shields the vast majority of estates from federal taxes, you may have to pay state estate taxes. Currently, 21 states and the District of Columbia impose some ...