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General, Insurance Planning, Life Events

What Issues Should I Consider If My Spouse Has Been Diagnosed With A Terminal Illness?

Updated 12/1/2023

**This guide has been updated to incorporate new changes made by The SECURE Act 2.0 that are effective for the 2024 year. Any SECURE Act 2.0 changes that are effective for 2025 will be incorporated into this guide at the start of the 2025 year. 

This checklist covers 29 of the most important planning issues to identify and consider for a client whose spouse has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It’s structured as follows:

  • Cash Flow Issues
  • Estate Planning Issues
  • Insurance Issues
  • Tax Planning Issues
  • Asset & Debt Issues
  • Other Issues
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