Check out our blog posts for Estate Planning tips, resources, and recent developments
Estate Planning Checklist for Unmarried Couples
Without marriage's legal protections, unmarried couples face unique estate planning challenges that could leave partners vulnerable and children at risk. Learn how to protect your loved ones and assets with proper planning.
Have a Loved One With Special Needs? Why You Need Your Plan Reviewed If You Moved Here From Another State
Life is full of unexpected journeys, and sometimes circumstances lead us to need to move from one state to another. Amidst the excitement and challenges of moving, one critical aspect that demands your immediate attention is your plan for the well-being and security of your loved one with special needs.
Obtaining A Power Of Attorney For Elderly Parents
Making important decisions for aging parents can be a challenging task, but power of attorney (POA) can provide peace of mind and clarity in times of need. POA enables individuals to make crucial decisions on behalf of their parents, such as managing their finances or making medical decisions, when they are unable to do so themselves due to age or illness.
While it may be difficult to approach this topic with your parents, having these discussions early on can help ensure that you follow their wishes if their health changes over time. Starting the conversation with empathy and understanding can make all the difference.
5 Reasons Why Shopping For The Cheapest Estate Plan Could Leave Your Family With An Unintended Mess
Shopping for an estate plan based price alone is often the fastest path to leaving your family with an empty set of documents that won’t work for your family when they need it. Unfortunately, the negative effects of cheap estate planning aren’t seen until it is too late to fix them, and grieving loved ones find themselves stuck in what could have been an avoidable court process, or even conflict when that’s exactly what you thought you had paid to avoid.
Important Update for Small Business Owners
Business owners, the Corporate Transparency Act saga continues. Here’s the latest.
How To Manage Your Digital Accounts After Your Death—Part 3
If you have preferences about what happens to your digital footprint after your death, you need to take action. Otherwise, your online legacy will be determined for you—and not by you. If you have any online accounts, such as Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Apple, or Amazon, you have a digital legacy, and that legacy is yours to preserve or lose.
3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Creating Your Estate Plan With AI
The allure of Do-It-Yourself estate planning through AI is strong, especially when you think your situation is simple and straightforward. But here’s the truth: estate planning is not just about creating a set of documents, and it’s almost always more complicated than you think.
The Special Needs Planning Lesson We Learned From Aretha Franklin's Estate Battle
Aretha Franklin wowed America and the world as the Queen of Soul, but Aretha did not wow us with her estate planning. She left two handwritten Wills, and the one a jury ruled valid was found stuffed between her couch cushions. To settle a dispute over the two Wills, two of her sons went to court against a third, and while the two may have declared victory, it’s hard to feel that anyone truly won. An estate initially estimated to be valued at $80 million was whittled down to $4 million by the time the case was concluded, and while some funds were lost unnecessarily to taxes, a large portion was lost to the lawsuit itself.
A Valentine's Gift That Matters
Want to give your loved ones a truly meaningful gift this Valentine's Day? Estate planning might not seem romantic, but it's one of the most profound expressions of love you can offer.
How to Manage Your Digital Accounts After Your Death - Part 2
Will Your Estate Plan Work When Your Family Needs It?
Like most people, you likely think estate planning is just one more task to check off your life’s endless “to-do” list. This story illustrates the consequences of not updating your plan.
Estate Planning Meets FAFSA: Smart Strategies for Asset Ownership
The 2025-26 FAFSA introduces sweeping changes that revolutionize how families apply for college financial aid. While these updates streamline the application process, they also create new considerations for estate planning.
4 Common Mistakes Made On Life Insurance Beneficiary Designations
Investing in life insurance is a foundational part of estate planning, and when done right it’s a primary way to say “I love you” to your loved ones after you are gone. However, when naming your policy’s beneficiaries, several mistakes can lead to potentially dire consequences for the people you’re investing to protect and support.
How to Manage Your Digital Accounts After Death — Part 1
If you have preferences about what happens to your digital footprint after your death, you need to take action. Otherwise, your online legacy will be determined for you—and not by you. If you have any online accounts, such as Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Apple, or Amazon, you have a digital legacy, and that legacy is yours to preserve or lose.
How Changes to the Department of Education Could Impact Your Child with Special Needs
President-elect Trump has promised to eliminate the Department of Education early in his second term. While this has caused anxiety among many parents of children with special needs, understanding what would and wouldn't change can help you make informed decisions about your child's educational future.
Attention Small Business Owners! Update to the Corporate Transparency Act Filing Requirement
Update to the Corporate Transparency Act Filing Requirement - business owners, you may be feeling a little whiplash after the 5th Circuit’s decisions this week.
What to Know If You’re Asked to Serve as a Trustee
If a family member or friend has asked you to serve as trustee for their trust either during their life, or upon their death, it’s a big honor—this means they consider you among the most honest, reliable, and responsible people they know.
Year-End Charitable Giving Strategies: How to Build Your Legacy and Support the Causes You Love
The desire to make a difference doesn't end when we're gone. For many people, incorporating charitable giving into their estate plan provides a way to support causes they care about while creating a lasting legacy.
Understanding Asset Ownership: Estate Planning Questions Answered Part 1
Understanding Asset Ownership: Estate Planning Questions Answered - Part 1
Protecting your assets and ensuring they are passed on to your loved ones without complications starts with understanding account ownership and management. This two-part series explores the essential aspects of asset ownership, addressing key questions to help you make informed decisions.
5 Ways to Pay for Your Funeral that Won’t Leave Your Family with the Bill
With the cost of a funeral averaging between $7,000 and $12,000 and steadily increasing each year, at the very least your estate plan should include enough money to cover this final expense. And if you are thinking of simply setting aside money in your will to cover your funeral expenses, you should seriously reconsider, as paying for your funeral through your will can create unnecessary burdens for your loved ones.