One of the most crucial decisions individuals face is how to manage their assets for futuregenerations. While many people are familiar with revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts can offer unique benefits. Though they do have certain drawbacks. It is important to...
Investing in Their Future—Even If You’re Not ThereFor many families, one of the most important goals in estate planning is making sure children and grandchildren have the financial support they need to pursue higher education. With the rising cost of college, planning...
It’s common for people to name a loved one—often a child, sibling, or close friend—as a payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary on their bank account. It seems simple and convenient: when you pass away, the funds go directly to that person...
As a parent, one of the most important decisions you can make is determining who will care for your children if you are no longer able to do so. While it may be a difficult topic to consider, taking the time to name a legal guardian ensures that your children will be...
'Divorce is never easy. Amid the emotional and legal complexities, one critical task that often gets overlooked is updating your estate plan; but once your marriage ends, your estate planning documents likely need a serious refresh. Failing to update your estate plan...
Estate planning can be a difficult conversation, but it’s one of the most important discussions you’ll have with your loved ones. Without a clear plan, families can face unnecessary stress, confusion, and even conflict. Whether you're initiating the discussion or...
Owning a business comes with many responsibilities, including ensuring a smooth transition of ownership in the event of your passing. One crucial strategy to achieve this is placing your Limited Liability Company (LLC) into a revocable trust. Doing so can prevent...
As parents, it’s natural to want to ensure your children’s financial security and make the inheritance process easier for them. One common strategy some homeowners consider is adding their children to the deed of their home. While this may seem like a simple solution...
Disinheriting a child is a sensitive and emotionally charged topic. There are circumstances where a parent might feel it necessary to make this decision. Whether it's due to strained relationships, financial irresponsibility, or deeply personal reasons, disinheriting...
If you have assets and people you care about, you should strongly consider preparing a revocable living trust. Revocable living trusts are not just for the wealthy or for those who have complicated holdings. In fact, a revocable living trust can provide a great...
Using a Special Needs Trust can provide crucial financial security and support for your loved ones with disabilities while helping to preserve their government benefits. Government benefits often fall short of providing the funds for those receiving them to live a...
Your estate plan, like your home, periodically needs a thorough polishing. Your life circumstances are constantly changing, and an estate plan that perfectly met your needs a couple of years ago may now be cluttered with outdated provisions or documents. With spring...
When it comes to safeguarding the future of your young children, there are numerous steps you can take to ensure their safety and security. From baby-proofing your home to carefully monitoring their activities, parents go to great lengths to protect their children....
You have recently divorced your spouse and the judge has signed the divorce decree. Now what? Although you may feel as though you have spent enough time and money on lawyers, there is one last attorney you need to talk to: an estate planning attorney. If you and your...
To all front-line and “essential” workers: Thank you for all of your hard work—day in and day out (and often evenings, nights, and weekends). You tirelessly give of yourself to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Whether you are caring for them...
HELP! This Probate Is Taking Forever!!! After a loved one dies, their money and property must be distributed to the right people, either according to their will or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its “intestacy” statute). While most people want the...
The internet offers all the information and tools we need at our fingertips to create our own estate plan, right? For most people, this is simply not true. Several years ago, Consumer Reports®, an independent nonprofit consumer watchdog group, created wills using the...