Dear Liz: In response to a reader whose check to the IRS was stolen from the post office, you (again) warned readers that mail theft and check fraud have soared and that electronic payments are now the safest way to send money. I’ve been making my charitable donations using qualified charitable distributions from my IRA. My […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Why a fireproof safe may not protect your estate documents
Dear Liz: I’d like to add to the conversation about where to store estate documents. Having lost my home, studio, office, and all the contents in the Eaton fire of January 2025, I can tell you that the temperature of our urban fire was high enough to incinerate the contents of many “fireproof” home safes in […]
Q&A: Delayed tax refund? Contact your lawmaker
Dear Liz: A reader requested advice regarding a delayed tax refund. I had a similar problem a few years ago. The IRS owed me a substantial refund. I tried calling the IRS but couldn’t reach a person. The automated system insisted my refund had been sent. I wound up calling my congressman’s office. They assigned a […]
Q&A: Can a brokerage sell your stocks without warning?
Dear Liz: How can I get help after my brokerage’s margin team illegally sold my Tesla and Palantir stock, citing market volatility and not notifying me? Answer: Just because you don’t like the result doesn’t mean the brokerage acted illegally. If you took out a margin loan using your portfolio as collateral, the agreement you signed allows […]
Q&A: Does an inherited Roth IRA get a new 10-year deadline?
Dear Liz: I recently inherited a Roth IRA. If I understand correctly, I can leave the money in the IRA for 10 years. If I die before then and my adult son inherits the account, does he then get an additional 10 years to do something with the money? Answer: That depends on the circumstances. If you […]
Q&A: Make sure your estate planning documents can be found
Dear Liz: Your response about finding trust documents was very helpful. It reinforces that people need to provide copies to their loved ones in case they become incapacitated and the originals are lost or can’t be found. People seem to complete these documents and assume they will never get dementia or become physically unable to care […]