Estate Planning · March 29, 2024

Crafting your own Will or Trust might feel empowering, yet it's fraught with risks that could leave your family facing legal battles and financial strain. The allure of DIY legal services masks the complexity and nuances of estate planning. A real-life story shows how easy it is to inadvertently disinherit loved ones or tie them up in legal knots, turning a well-intentioned effort into an expensive and emotional nightmare. It's a stark reminder that what we leave behind should be a legacy, not a

Estate Planning · March 11, 2024

If you are a single parent, life for you right now probably couldn't get any busier. You are likely being pulled between work, school activities, and home - and the inevitable emergencies that fill the lives of single parents everywhere. It's a huge responsibility, even if you do share time with a parenting partner, and especially so if you don't. Regardless, as a single parent, your children's lives are now largely in your hands, and the best way to protect them is through estate planning.

Estate Planning · June 14, 2023

As a parent, you're likely hoping to leave your children an inheritance, and doing so maybe one of the primary factors motivating your life's work. But without taking the proper precautions, the wealth you pass on is at serious risk of being accidentally lost or squandered due to common life events, such as divorce, serious debt, devastating illness, and unfortunate accidents.

Estate Planning · September 02, 2022

Given the growing number of seniors, the prevalence of diminished capacity associated with aging, and the concentration of wealth among elderly Baby Boomers, we're likely to see a serious surge in the number of cases involving undue influence in the coming years. This kind of elder abuse can disastrously affect your aging parents' and other senior relatives' estate planning. Be aware, educated, and empowered in knowing what risks are for your elderly loved ones—and for your future inheritance.

Estate Planning · March 18, 2022

One of your primary goals is to keep your family out of court and out of conflict no matter what happens to you. Yet, as you can see, if your family has to go through probate, your estate plan falls woefully short of that goal, leaving your loved ones most stuck in an unnecessary, expensive, time-consuming, and public court process. By having a comprehensive estate plan, you can help your loved ones avoid probate altogether or at least make the process extremely simple for them.

Estate Planning · December 17, 2021

As you already know, but may not have given much thought about, the most important inheritance you provide is so much more than the money you'll leave behind, but also includes your wishes, insights, stories, and experience. That's why, this year, we invite you to ask your loved ones the 32 important questions that can reveal a wealth of valuable life lessons - family treasures to discuss and share with generations to come.

Estate Planning · November 12, 2021

The pandemic has caused Americans to change their behavior in different ways, and one of the most positive of these changes is related to estate planning. While many people said that the pandemic inspired them to see a greater need for creating an estate plan, others still don't think that estate planning is important. But as we've outlined here, not having an estate plan can be traumatic and costly for both you and your loved ones, who will be forced to deal with the mess you've left behind.

Estate Planning · October 29, 2021

Estate planning is not a one-and-done type of deal. Even if you put a totally solid estate plan in place, it can turn out to be worthless for the people you love if it's not regularly updated. No matter who you are, your life will inevitably change, and your plan should continuously evolve along with your life circumstances and other changing conditions. In the absence of any major life events, we recommend reviewing your estate plan annually to ensure its terms are up to date.

Estate Planning · August 20, 2021

Although DMX was successful in music and movies, the rap icon experienced serious legal and financial problems. His story proves that regardless of your financial status, planning for your potential incapacity and eventual death is something you should take care of, especially if you have children. The saddest part of this whole situation is that all the conflict, expense, and trauma that DMX’s loved ones are likely to endure could have been prevented with comprehensive estate planning.

Estate Planning · August 13, 2021

Legendary hip hop artist Earl Simmons, known as DMX, passed away at age 50 after suffering a heart attack. Despite selling more than 74 million albums and enjoying a wildly successful career in music and movies, DMX, who died without a will, left behind an estate that some estimates report being millions of dollars in debt. With so much wealth and so many children, his failure to create an estate plan will likely mean his loved ones will be stuck battling each other in court for years to come.