Tips For Talking To Your Family About Estate Planning

Estate planning is often a necessary step to ensuring an individual settles specific personal and legal matters and formulates an outline designed to make certain assets accumulated over their lifetime is bequeathed to the family and other close relations. That said, many people shy away from this process because it forces them to consider their own mortality. Fortunately, however, individuals facing the prospect of initiating the discussion about beginning this vital procedure with a parent or loved one might find that it may be rendered less complicated by adhering to the following suggestions:

Designating A Comfortable Place

Creating an estate plan forces someone to execute two typically difficult actions, face their own mortality, and make difficult decisions about potentially even more complicated subjects. Ergo, a family member strategizing possible methods of commencing this conversation with a parent or other older relative might consider doing so in a safe and comfortable environment. Accompany the loved in question to their favorite hangout. Challenging circumstances are usually easier to tackle in a more pleasing atmosphere.

Stress The Importance

Sometimes, the best and most efficient course of action could be to address the issue head-on by stressing the importance. Certain people will respond to firm and definitive emphasis. Should the family member in question understand that these decisions could preserve their assets or guarantee the well-being of future generations, they may be more apt to take a proactive stance.

Demonstrate Sincerity

For other individuals, sincerity is sometimes the best policy. If the conversation starter displays heartfelt concern for the prospective planner and convinces that person their intentions are strictly benevolent, the process might proceed with greater speed and efficacy. That said, invoking sensitivity is also critical. The discussion commencer must be cautious about conveying that this is not a ploy to commandeer the prospective planner’s money or manipulate them in any way.

Develop Family Unity

In certain instances, one family member takes on the burden. Typically, this is not because other close relations do not care but because they are either reluctant or merely do not want to be the “bad guy.” Such circumstances can be avoided if the person pursuing the goal discusses the issue with their relatives and attempts to establish a degree of family unity. Many people have heard the saying “there is safety in numbers.” That belief could apply under these conditions.

This article was originally published by HenryComteVelasquez.com

How To Rebuild Credit After Bankruptcy

Many consumers mistakenly believe filing for bankruptcy forever ruins credit scores. The reality is people can repair their scores during and after bankruptcy. This is not to say bankruptcy does not damage scores. It does hurt a person’s credit in a big way. However, many consumers can get their financial lives back on track despite filing for bankruptcy protection. Here are some proven ways to rebuild credit scores.

Pay Existing Accounts on Time

Bankruptcy does not protect all accounts, so it is imperative to pay those accounts on time to rebuild credit scores. If the monthly obligation is not met after filing, there is little chance of repairing credit scores.

Additionally, consumers should never ignore any accounts that show up on their credit reports. If it is a legitimate account, it must be paid. If not, it must be removed.

Apply for a Secured Credit Card

Consumers can improve their credit scores by applying for secured credit cards. This form of credit requires a deposit before consumers can access any funds, and the initial deposit represents the maximum credit limit.

By paying secured credit cards on time, consumers will start to see their credit scores improve with each timely payment. Additionally, many secured card issuers will switch it to an unsecured card with repeated on-time payments.

Limit New Credit

Consumers should limit the number of credit card and loan applications they submit. If at all possible, people dealing with bankruptcy and credit issues should not apply for any new unsecured credit until their scores start to improve.

When consumers apply for new credit, it shows up on credit reports as hard inquiries, which lowers credit scores. When creditors deny applications, it has an even more significant impact on scores.

Avoid Scammers

Many credit repair companies and other organizations claim they can remove bankruptcies from credit reports. Unfortunately, this is not possible. Once a bankruptcy gets reported to the credit bureaus, it cannot be removed for a minimum of seven years.

There is nothing any organization or company can do to remove a bankruptcy from a credit report early. These companies usually just file a dispute on behalf of consumers after they have taken a significant amount of money. The dispute, however, will go nowhere.

This article was originally published on HenryComteVelasquez.net

Great Leadership Resolutions For 2020

The dawn of a New Year brings a new beginning to improve leadership skills and develop better interpersonal relationships among team members. Leaders should aim to incorporate their humanistic qualities whilst also having a good balance of objectivity. Leaders can still do their job of directing whilst also expressing their appreciation to their colleagues. Effective leadership resolutions for 2020 are as follows.

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” – Sheryl Sandberg

Don’t Use Others as an Emotional Container

Although a leader is responsible for giving guidance to their team, leaders still feel emotions. Almost everyone has a bad day at least once in a while. It’s important that one’s emotions aren’t being projected outwardly to other workmates. It’s vital that leaders remain conscientious of their emotions and how they express those emotions as to avoid using others as an emotional container.

Be More Assertive

Some leaders are guilty of sugarcoating their requests or being more lenient than they should as to not appear rude. There must be a balance of assertion and accommodation. However, tolerating stubbornness is never permissible. Through being more specific and assertive, teammates take their leaders a lot more seriously. So, leaders shouldn’t evade hard truths when it comes to addressing something they don’t agree with.

Don’t Micromanage

Micromanaging is when a boss or management hovers over their employee while they are doing their jobs. Leaders might find themselves micromanaging because they don’t fully trust their team’s abilities as it pertains to their job duties. This eventually ruins the relationship between a leader and their team. Workers or colleagues may feel insecure or under-qualified.

Neuro-diversity

Millions of people experience neurological differences. For example, millions of people around the world can relate to mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. Instead of ostracizing these individuals, leaders should aim to be more inclusive and understanding of those who suffer from such ailments. Contrary to what some may believe, many workers deal with either one or more of these mental conditions. By having an open and honest dialogue, team members will be able to express their concerns. Through sharing one’s concerns, workers can do their jobs at their fullest capacity.

This article was originally published on HenryComteVelasquez.org

How Good Leaders Deliver Bad News

There are many people who depend on a leader as this individual is tasked with the responsibility to guide their teammates. Delivering bad news is also another part of the job associated with being a leader. Although it may be hard to share bad news such as a demotion with a worker, this is just one duty that comes with the territory of leadership.

How is there a good way to give bad news? Well, it might not be easy to break the bad news. However, there are ways that leaders can relay some unfavorable news so that it is more palatable. Sometimes people aren’t aware of how a person may receive information that’s opposed to what they would like to hear. Initial reactions can be anger, frustration, stress, sorrow or even relief. Despite the emotion solicited, here’s how good leaders can deliver bad news without feeding confrontation or inflaming the situation.

Be Empathetic

Leaders should be more empathetic when addressing their employees with bad news. There may come a time where a team member needs to be let go or demoted. Leaders should take into consideration how this news will affect that person’s life. When handling such matters as this, leaders should make sure they are not in any rush when sharing the news. They should allow the other person to respond and adjust to the new announcement as rushing to leave this conversation is seen as quite insensitive.

Always Give People a Warning

Fair chances should always be given before delivering bad news. Everyone is capable of making mistakes and leaders are no exception. By instituting a warning, team members have a fair opportunity to avoid making those critical mistakes. An advance warning also shows that a leader values their members and is willing to compromise when necessary.

Say “no”

Sometimes it is necessary to say “no”. In many cases, it is needed to reinforce a company’s values. Leaders may tiptoe around giving bad news because they feel for others. While empathy is a good leadership quality, other members of the team still need to know that their leader is consistent in upholding their values. No one is exempt from being held accountable.

This article was originally published on HenryComteVelasquez.org