Joel M. Blau, CFP

A relatively simple technique called the spousal lifetime access trust has proven especially advantageous and popular among those who have remarried and want to provide for children from a prior marriage.

In addition to registered investment advisers, there are a number of other financial-based professionals who may be in a position to assist you with many financial planning areas.

If one disregards the 1971–'74 period when U.S. investors could not own it directly, gold's long-term performance drops substantially.

While on the surface, it may not seem to matter, there are some important differences between debit and credit cards, and reasons why you should use one form of payment over the other.

What you need to know about health care costs post-retirement and the taxability of municipal bonds.

Holding property in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship (JTWROS) generally provides no asset protection. In fact, JTWROS ownership exposes the property to the creditors of each of the joint tenants.

Often neglected in the life insurance strategy is the estate tax consequence associated with the ownership and ultimate payout of the insurance policy's death benefit.

Asset protection strategies and estate planning techniques often operate in conjunction with each other.

Looking for a financial adviser? With this list of the 150 best financial advisers for physicians, there are plenty to choose from.

2010 will be a pivotal year for retirement planning, as it will be the first time taxpayers will be able to convert funds in regular IRAs to Roth IRAs, regardless of their income level.

Last year's market selloff led many investors to take advantage of some unique tax planning opportunities.

During our working years, we justify the negative impact of inflation by relying on the expectation that our incomes will rise at levels consistent with or above inflation. Unfortunately, many of today's physicians are experiencing just the opposite.

With all of the negative sentiment surrounding the financial markets, is it appropriate to simply avoid them until things improve?

Investors look at investments in countries with emerging economies with hope that a historically poor economy may transform itself to one of sustained prosperity and steady growth.

With the recent changes in the tax law, specifically the elimination of the 529 college saving tax-free withdrawal period, does it makes sense to move my current custodial accounts into a 529 plan?

Annuities seem to once again be gaining popularity as more investors look for ways to ensure a comfortable and predictable stream of retirement income.

My husband and I are both physicians and are interested in investing for our children in such a way that those assets are protected from malpractice suits.

Q My financial adviser has suggested that I invest in stocks that generate dividends even though I don't need any of the income my portfolio generates. If I'm going to work for another 15 years, shouldn't I be more concerned with long-term growth?

I understand that many of the contribution limits impacting retirement plans were scheduled to end in 2010, but that legislation has recently been passed that would expand these benefits. Is this true?

Is there really much of a difference in how mutual fund managers determine which stocks to include in their portfolios?

Here's why your stock market returns may differ from the averages you read in the paper

Q Is there any way to determine the best time to sell a stock if it has not performed as well as expected?

Q How much life insurance coverage is recommended for physicians whohave a family?A Many physicians recognize the benefits of developing an overallfinancial plan to meet positive long-term objectives, such as retirementsavings and education funding. However, putting a plan in place to addressthe unexpected, via life insurance, is less pleasant and can be quite difficult.

Q My broker is suggesting that I invest in bonds, specifically bondmutual funds. After reviewing the literature, I'm confused by the differencesamong the mutual fund choices. What are the real differences?

Your practice, potentially an object of contention, may require a professionalvaluation

Many physicians find themselves unprepared for retirement, bothfinancially as well as emotionally. From the financial standpoint, the majorityof physicians fail to reach their own financial objectives. The main reasonis that, as a whole, physicians start saving too late, and they are unableto make up the shortfall during their peak earning years.

Q Can you summarize what impact the recently proposed tax law willhave on retirement plans?