Articles
Don’t Put Off Till Tomorrow What You Can Do Today: Why It’s Time to Talk with Your Family and Your Estate Planning Attorney
There’s no perfect time to broach the subject of estate planning with your family. We all know that everyone passes away eventually, but many of us often want to conveniently forget that reality.
Faced with the decision between taking the initiative to start a family discussion about (more…)
What if You Don’t Die?
Why Ignoring the Importance of Incapacity Planning Can Have Serious Consequences
It’s a common misconception that all your efforts to create a comprehensive estate plan are focused on what happens after your death. That is very much not the case, and it’s a dangerous misconception (more…)
Have You Considered a Dynasty Trust for Your Family’s Estate?
Why You Should Think Twice Before Ruling One Out
When most people hear the term “dynasty trust,” they assume it’s something for only the wealthiest of families. However, dynasty trusts are not as out of reach as you might think, and can be used by many more families of a greater (more…)
Are You Familiar With Community Property Trusts?
Learn How These Special Trusts Can Help Reduce Income Taxes
Community property trusts can save your family tens of thousands of dollars in capital gains taxes, and that’s just one of their many benefits. This lesser-known strategy isn’t right for everyone, but for households that (more…)
Life Expectancy and Health Care Planning
The aging, healthcare and special needs conversation is vitally important to you and your family.
Except for government employees and Social Security, retirement plans that pay benefits until death are pretty much a thing of the past. Plus, people today are living longer. Yet retirees’ (more…)
Estate Plans for College Students and Other Young Adults
Why It’s the Perfect Time to Set Your Kids Up for Success
As spring break swiftly approaches, the parents of young adults experience a mixed bag of emotions.
It can be exciting to see your children branching out and becoming successful adults in their own right — a time full of (more…)
Why “I Love You” Wills Really Don’t Say “I Love You”
As Valentine’s Day brings heart-shaped chocolate boxes and roses by the dozen into your imagination, seize the moment to learn about the drawbacks of “I love you” wills and introduce yourself to the estate planning move that’s actually going to ensure you do well by your loved ones: (more…)
The Flexible Protection of Trust-Based Planning
Welcome to 2017! We hope you’re recovering nicely from the holidays and settling back into a routine.
As you assess your goals for the year ahead, take a moment to review your legacy planning. You’ve hopefully already handled a few key pieces—set up and funded a trust, signed a (more…)
How to Avoid Sending Your Assets and Loved Ones Into Probate Court
Over the years, we’ve discovered that many people make a BIG mistake, catapulting their assets and loved ones right into the court system. Most of our clients want to avoid probate because it has a reputation for being expensive, time consuming, stressful – and public, meaning anyone (more…)
Talk to Your Family over the Holidays about Your Estate Plan
Many of us labor a lifetime to build up our assets and fight for causes that matter to us. Few things are more fulfilling than the thought of sharing wealth and legacy with our family.
Of course, it’s impossible to plan for every eventuality, but careful planning can mitigate against (more…)