By Jaclyn Quinn, Esq.
Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, Inc.
At the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council (DCRAC), and especially at our law practice, we spend a great deal of time talking about planning ahead to ensure a smooth transfer of wealth. And we do extensive work with community members to create estate plans, wills, and more.
But there is another important part of the planning conversation: understanding your financial picture today so you can make informed, confident decisions about your money now.
Good financial planning isn’t just about what you leave behind, after all. It’s also about using—and enjoying!—what you have today.
That is one of the reasons we’re proud to offer the free statewide Money School. Volunteer experts teach classes on topics that matter in everyday life, with information that everyday Delawareans can use. Whether the subject is taxes, insurance, retirement, saving, investing, or estate planning, the Money School’s goal is simple: to make complicated financial topics easier to understand and act on.
Preparing for the future
No matter your circumstances, fundamentals like retirement planning, saving, and investing really can be relevant. Our instructors generously share their time and knowledge to help participants better understand these subjects and leave with greater clarity about their own financial lives. Working with a financial advisor and tax professional is often highly beneficial for planning purposes.
Estate planning is especially important, and we offer monthly classes in person and online to get folks to begin thinking about the people they would want to help them if they become unable to make decisions for themselves, and who they would want to appoint to serve as executors or trustees. From there, participants can begin thinking about their beneficiaries and how they would like their assets distributed.
For those who already have an estate plan but are considering changes, a refresher class can help clarify questions and provide a useful starting point for their next conversation with an estate planning attorney, whether through DCRAC Law or not.
When taxes become a problem
Tax planning sounds almost as daunting as estate planning. But understanding your tax responsibilities—and knowing what to do when something goes wrong—is also an important part of day-to-day financial security.
The Money School’s new IRS Problem Solvers series takes on some of the problems that frequently leave taxpayers overwhelmed. Offered online, the series covers practical questions live, including: What do I do if I receive a letter from the IRS? What if I can’t pay my taxes? What if I haven’t filed in several years? What happens if I’m audited? What are my rights if I disagree with the IRS?
This course won’t turn every student into a tax expert—but it will help attendees understand their options, take the correct next steps, and recognize when professional assistance (via DCRAC or not) may be appropriate.
Making sense of health insurance
Medical insurance can be equally overwhelming, too, particularly during open enrollment. When there is a deadline that comes with numerous plans to choose from and assorted options within each, knowing what information to look for in making decisions—and where to find it—can save both time and money.
The Money School offers several classes on both private medical insurance and Medicare, all taught by experienced instructors who share firsthand knowledge, practical guidance, and resources for the community.
Information as financial security
Whether you’re planning for tomorrow, dealing with a problem today, or simply trying to make better financial decisions along the way, having the right information is a powerful place to start. We’re proud to provide free and easy-to-access courses for all comers, both online and in-person—often at your local library! Visit dcrac.org to see the full schedule and register for a class today.
If you need legal assistance, DCRAC Law is here to help. Attorneys Jaclyn Quinn and Matt Carucci assist Delaware residents with estate planning and other legal matters. To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact paralegal Mayela Rosales at 302-230-2970 or [email protected].
Bio
Jaclyn Quinn, Esq. joined the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council (DCRAC) in 2011, first as a volunteer, then as staff. In 2014 Jaclyn opened and grew her private practice until 2019, when DCRAC Law opened to the community. DCRAC Law is a nonprofit law firm providing tax, title, and other legal services to those unable to pay market rates.
Jaclyn graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from The College of New Jersey before moving to Delaware to pursue her J.D. at Widener University- Delaware Law School. She was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 2012, and is also barred in U.S. Tax Court and U.S. Immigration Court. She has volunteered with the Office of the Child Advocate, DVLS, and assists as pro bono counsel in a variety of cases.
Jaclyn Quinn, Esq. Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council (DCRAC)
302-298-3251 [email protected] www.dcrac.org
@dcracdelcra on instagram & @DCRACDelCRA on facebook
600 South Harrison Street, Wilmington, Delaware
One East Laurel Street, Georgetown, Delaware
