The holidays tend to bring out our generous side. Whether it’s helping a family member with tuition, surprising someone with a larger gift, or supporting a favorite charity, many people start thinking about how giving fits into their financial picture this time of year. Along with Continue reading
Author: Tom
What Your Executors and Trustees Need Before the New Year
A practical checklist for keeping your fiduciaries informed
As the year wraps up and people start tackling end-of-year tasks, it’s a good moment to check in on something often overlooked: whether your executor and trustee have what they need. A little clarity now can make their future Continue reading
When Old and New Powers of Attorney Clash
Powers of Attorney (POAs) are meant to simplify life during difficult times, ensuring that a trusted person can step in to make decisions when someone cannot. However, complications can arise when multiple powers of attorney exist—or when an older document was never properly revoked. Continue reading
For Families Who Mean Well but Haven’t Planned Yet
A lot of parents hold off on estate planning because they don’t want to stir things up. Choosing one child as executor can feel like taking sides. Dividing things unevenly might sound like asking for trouble. So they wait, hoping to keep everyone happy. Usually, that peace doesn’t Continue reading
When Parents Promise the House: Why Verbal Promises Need Legal Backup
Within families, we tend to believe that promises don’t need signatures. A parent’s word feels stronger than a contract, and most people can’t imagine those words ever being questioned. However, when money or property is involved, good faith alone sometimes isn’t enough. A parent Continue reading
Updating Your Own Plan After a Parent’s Death
The death of a parent is one of life’s most difficult moments. For many adult children—especially those who acted as caregivers—it can also be a period filled with practical responsibilities. Between handling the estate, organizing paperwork, and taking care of final arrangements, Continue reading
The Role of Life Insurance in Estate Planning After Retirement
As circumstances change in retirement, the way you use life insurance may change as well. While its original purpose might have been to replace income, pay off a mortgage, or provide for children, life insurance can still play an important role in estate planning long after the working Continue reading
Joint Tenancy Isn’t Always the Simple Solution It Seems
When people look for ways to avoid probate or make things easier for loved ones, it can seem practical to add another person’s name to a bank account or property title. This setup, called joint tenancy, lets the surviving owner automatically inherit the asset when one person dies. Continue reading
Review Your Beneficiaries Before the Year Speeds By
The last few months of the year tend to move quickly. Between fall activities, holidays, and year-end obligations, it’s easy to push personal planning tasks to the side. Taking time now to get organized can prevent stress later — and one of the simplest, most impactful steps you can Continue reading
October Is Estate Planning Awareness Month: Three Steps to Get Started
Every October, Estate Planning Awareness Month offers a reminder many of us need: having a plan in place is one of the most important gifts you can give your family. Even so, estate planning often gets delayed. People assume they’re too young, too healthy, or that their finances are Continue reading