Most people think of probate (the process of collecting, managing, and distributing a deceasedperson’s money and property) as a private process. However, because probate involves the courtsystem, most filings become a matter of public record. That means your nosy neighbor (let’s call her“Nellie”) can simply go to the courthouse or hop online to learn all […]

After a loved one dies, their money and property that goes through probate must be distributed to thepeople legally entitled to it, either according to a last will and testament (also called a will) or thestate’s default distribution scheme (found in its intestacy statute). While most people want thesettlement process done as soon as possible, […]

Your home is likely one of the most valuable assets you own, if not the most valuable.Calling it an asset can sound cold. A home is far more than an assortment of materials andpossessions. It is also a place to live, gather, create life stories, and share memories.However, in the eyes of the law, your […]

Disinheritance—the intentional exclusion of a family member, usually a child or spouse, from receiving part of your estate after your death—is more common than you might think. It is also easier than you might think to disinherit a loved one, with a couple of notable exceptions. However, it is not as simple as omitting someone’s […]

As the federal estate tax exemption has ballooned from $5 million in 2011 to $13.99 milliontoday, the need for estate tax planning has drastically decreased. However, with a top marginalincome tax rate of 37 percent, the focus of estate planning has shifted to a new frontier: incometax basis planning.The Basics of Income Tax Basis In […]

Getting married is a special time in your life; you may have a beautiful wedding, a fun reception(with a delicious cake and special gifts), and a romantic honeymoon. It is also the right time foryou and your new spouse to plan for your future—for richer or for poorer, in sickness or inhealth. Why You and […]

It is a topic no parent wants to think about: What would happen to your children if you weregone? However, facing this question is one of the most loving and powerful things you can dofor your kids. If you take no steps to legally nominate a guardian for your minor children, a judgewho does not […]

You have just received your orders, and you will be deployed shortly. No matter how soon youare leaving, there is still time to ensure that your affairs are in order. While both a will and a trust play an important role in securing your loved ones’ financialfuture, there are other estate planning tools that need […]

Will you be donating to charities this year? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds us thatyou must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your tax return to claim a deduction for charitablegifts. The following five tips can also help ensure that your charitable gifts count. Tip #1: Give to a qualified charity. Only gifts to […]

You have likely been preparing for weeks to get your new college student off to school. It is exhilarating, and your heart may be bursting at the seams. You are probably prouder than words can express but also afraid. How can you ensure your child is safe at their new home away from home? A […]

You regularly check the balances of your retirement, bank, and investment accounts. But when was the last time you checked the beneficiary designations on these accounts (and really, all the other accounts that allow you to name a beneficiary)?  It may have been years since you first opened an individual retirement account, bought a life […]

A special needs trust (SNT) allows an individual to provide for a disabled beneficiary without jeopardizing the beneficiary’s eligibility for needs-based government benefits.  SNT funds can generally be used to pay for almost anything that falls outside the basic support that programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid provide. This includes many goods, […]

Getting ready to embark on your next great adventure? Before you zip up the last suitcase, here are five issues you need to address to protect yourself and your loved ones. Do you have a foundational estate plan? Has it been reviewed? An estate plan is a set of instructions memorialized in legal documents that […]

As we all know, life happens. There is really nothing we can do about it. However, some of the most common life events can have a dramatic effect on your estate plan. If you think your estate plan is like a slow cooker and you can set it and forget it, you and your loved […]

Thank you for all that you do for us. We understand that being the first one on the scene can come with many different risks. We are dedicated to protecting you and your loved ones from the different types of emergencies that may pop up during your life. The following are some important questions for […]

In estate planning circles, the word “probate” often carries a negative connotation. Indeed, for many people—especially those with valuable accounts and property—financial planners recommend trying to keep accounts and property out of probate whenever possible. That being said, the probate system was ultimately established to protect the deceased’s accounts and property as well as their […]

One would assume that celebrities with extreme wealth would take steps to protect their estates. But think again: some of the world’s richest and most famous people enter the pearly gates with no estate plan, while others have made estate planning mistakes that tied up their fortunes and heirs in court for years. Let us […]

Although your death is probably a long way off, it is important that you have a plan to ensure that your affairs are settled in the way that you want. An estate plan crafted by an experienced estate planning attorney is a legally enforceable set of documents that allows you to name who will have […]

Welcoming a child into the family is a major milestone in every parent’s life, especially if you have utilized assisted reproductive technology (ART). With this blessing comes the need for comprehensive financial and estate plans that are uniquely tailored to your family’s needs. As you continue your journey, we want to provide you with answers […]

If your life or the law has changed since you signed your last will and testament (will) or trust agreement, you need to update your document. You can make updates to a revocable living trust by way of an amendment or a complete restatement of the trust agreement. An amendment updates a specific part of […]

With couples of similar ages, planning for the future is naturally a joint effort. However, if you are married to someone who is significantly older or younger than you, the future can look different and mean different things to each of you. To protect yourself, your spouse, and other loved ones, you need to have […]

A number of married couples think about their accounts and property as “yours, mine, and ours,” especially if either or both spouses have gotten or will be getting remarried, married late in life, or have brought or will be bringing significant amounts of money and property into the marriage. Deciding what should happen to all […]

According to Statista, more than 295 million people in the United States use social media. If you are an avid social media user, have you considered what will happen to your accounts when you die? If you have spent time creating, uploading, and sharing content, it is important to take a look now at what […]

Cryptocurrency’s popularity has rapidly increased in recent years, with more people buying and selling it. Here are three things you need to know about cryptocurrency in relation to your estate plan. Beware of the Tax Consequences Transferring your cryptocurrency to other people, either during life or at your death, could have income, estate, and gift […]

What is special needs planning? Special needs planning is a process of identifying and providing for the future care and financial security of family members or individuals with disabilities. It can involve creating or updating a will, creating a special needs trust, designating a guardian, establishing a disability income plan, and more. When do you […]

Along with warmer weather and lazy days spent at a pool, summertime also often includes a family gathering, such as a Fourth of July barbecue, a family vacation, a reunion, or time spent at a family cabin or lake house. Whatever the form, in our always-on-the-go society, getting the whole family together is a rare […]

Estate administration is the legal process of managing someone’s financial and legal affairs after they die. This can include tasks such as paying debts, distributing assets, and transferring of the deceased person’s property. The person responsible for handling these matters is called the executor or administrator. If the deceased had a will, the estate administrator […]

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs, spur innovation and drive growth. But running a small business is not without its challenges for business owners. From complying with regulations to managing finances, legal issues are always lurking in the background. That’s why it’s so important for small businesses to have a […]

Estate planning attorneys frequently hear from their clients, “I’d like to leave something to my grandchildren. What’s the best way to do that?” Naturally, grandparents love their grandchildren and want them to succeed in life. And when grandparents are in the twilight of their lives, their hearts often turn to the younger generation with a […]

For over a quarter of a century, the National Safety Council has recognized June as National Safety Month. An objective of National Safety Month is to raise public awareness of the top safety and health risks in the United States. One of the lesser known but considerable risks Americans and their loved ones face are […]