Why “Just a Will” Is Never Enough
When you think of estate planning, a Will is usually the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, most people who contact me tell me they don’t need anything complicated for their estate- just a Will. Indeed, Wills have a reputation as the number one estate planning tool and can be seen all over […]
Why “Just a Will” Is Never Enough
When you think of estate planning, a Will is usually the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, most people who contact me tell me they don’t need…
What Happens To Your Debt When You Die?
In some cases, you could inadvertently leave a reality in which your surviving heirs—your kids, parents, or others—are responsible for your debt. Al…
Revocable Living Trust Or Irrevocable Trust: Which One Is Right For You?
You’ve probably heard you need a trust to keep your family out of court and maybe out of conflict in the event of your death or incapacity. And, if …
Why Every Business Owner Should Consider A Trust
Trusts are often underused or misused tools for business owners, as they can provide a range of tax, asset protection, and succession planning benefit…
3 Simple Mistakes That Can Derail Your Estate Plan
If you’re tempted to use a DIY estate planning service or have already created a plan you aren’t 100% confident in, be sure to read how these three …
Estate Planning Before You Travel: Why It’s Critically Important
Vacations can be the perfect opportunity to relax, disconnect from work and responsibilities, and enjoy your spouse, partner, kids’ or friend’s comp…
Your Rights As The Parent Of A Young Adult — What You Need To Know When A Medical Crisis Hits
As a parent, you are quite accustomed to managing your children’s legal and medical affairs, as circumstances require. If your child requires urgent…
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 o…
4 Reasons Why Estate Planning Is Critical For Business Owners
If you are running a business, it’s easy to prioritize estate planning less than your other business matters. After all, if you’re facing challenges…
Green Funerals: 6 Eco-Friendly Options For Your Remains
The environmental costs of death are significant and constantly rising. With 8 billion people on the planet right now—all of whom have bodies that d…
3 Essential Questions To Ask Before Creating Your Will Online
If you are looking to create your last will and testament, or will, online, you’ll find dozens of websites that let you prepare a variety of estate …
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.
You can shop around and f…
What You Need To Know Before You Agree to Be a Trustee
Being asked by a loved one to serve as Trustee for their Trust upon their death can be quite an honor, but it’s also a significant responsibility—an…
Why Every Adult Needs A Living Will
When it comes to estate planning and wills, you have a variety of options for legal documents. The most common of these options is a “last will and …
5 Reasons Why Shopping For The Cheapest Estate Plan Could Leave Your Family With An Unintended Mess
In most cases, from the most sophisticated business people with the highest net worth to those just starting in the workforce and on their path to a…
Protect Your Loved Ones with These 4 Avoidable Life Insurance Beneficiary Mistakes
Investing in life insurance is a crucial step in estate planning and a way to show love to your family after…
Choosing a Trustworthy Manager for Your Trust
When creating a trust, many people choose to be the trustee of the trust until they die. In the alternative, selecting someone to be the trustee req…
When Should You Start an Estate Plan?
Creating an estate plan is essential to offer you peace of mind about your family’s future. You can protect your assets and ensure you provide for y…
Best Asset Protection Strategies
Thinking about death is unpleasant. No one wants to consider what it’s like when life ends and how loved ones will cope with the loss. However, esta…
Gratitude and Estate Planning: Give Your Family a Reason to Say Thanks with an Effective Estate Plan
Estate planning involves more than financial affairs and asset protection. A comprehensive estate plan covers various aspects of a person’s life. It…
Estate Planning Checkup: Is Your Estate Plan Up-To-Date?
This year, Estate Planning Awareness Week runs from October 17th to 23rd, and one of our primary goals is to educate you on the vital importance…
Five Reasons Why Estate Planning Should Be on Your Family Holiday Schedule
Discussing your estate plan during the holidays might seem inappropriate or unpleasant. However, it’s often the only time to discuss important matte…
Undue Influence: How an Effective Estate Plan Protects Your Assets
Typically, those who are planning their estates entrust professionals and family members to offer them sound guidance and abide by their wishes. Unf…
Long-term Care Planning: What You Need to Know
You may wonder when you should begin planning for long-term care. The short answer is that it is never too early, and the sooner you start, the bett…
The Importance of Compassion in Estate Planning
When you think about the word compassion, what comes to mind? Caring, tenderness, sensitivity? When you think of compassionate professions, what job…
Back to School: Estate Planning Basics You Need to Know
The crisp scent of new books is in the air, which means it’s almost back to school time! For most parents back to school means buying new clothes an…
What Women Should Know About Retirement Risks and Their Estate Plan
What Women Should Know About Retirement Risks and Their Estate Plan
Women have come a long way. Unfortunately, there are still some topics that …
How Often Should I Review My Estate Plan?
So, you’ve made an estate plan. Great, now you don’t have to think about it ever again!
Not so fast. Creating an estate plan isn’t like checking…
What Questions Should I Ask My Estate Planning Lawyer?
A proper, legally-binding estate plan can protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are carried out in the event of your death or incapacitation. H…
What You Need to Know About Incapacity Planning
What You Need to Know About Incapacity Planning
While an estate plan can protect your legacy and provide for your family in the event of your dea…
Five Biggest Mistakes People Make When Setting Up a Trust
Setting up a living trust can have many benefits for your designated beneficiaries. Perhaps most importantly, creating a fully-funded trust will all…
What Is a Legacy Video and Why Do I Need One?
Law firms have provided estate planning documents for many years that efficiently passed along assets and property to beneficiaries in a predictable…
Four Reasons to Consider Setting Up a Trust
When you’re thinking of creating an estate plan, most of us just think about writing a will. However, there are other facets to an estate plan, and …
The Importance of a Power of Attorney
A “power of attorney” is a legal granting of rights, including the right to direct financial affairs, make legal decisions, and even make medical de…
Top Mistakes People Make with Their Wills
There are several ways you can write a will in Texas:
Write it yourself
Use an online document preparation service, or a will-writing progr…
The Dangers of DIY Wills
People spend a lifetime acquiring property, buying nice things, raising a family and educating them, building a nice life with their spouse. Then on…
What You Should Know About Long-Term Care Insurance
With people living longer than ever before, more and more seniors require long-term healthcare services in nursing homes and assisted living facilit…
Estate Planning Must Haves for Parents – Even If You Have Legal Documents
A comprehensive estate plan — which we prefer to see as a Life and Legacy Plan — can protect what matters most to you. For many, this means everyt…
Think You Are Too Young to Need An Estate Plan – Think Again
The pandemic has caused Americans to change their behavior in a number of different ways, and one of the most positive of these changes is related t…
Don’t Forget To Protect Your Furry Family: Estate Planning For Your Pets
It’s sad but true that many pets end up in shelters after their owner dies or becomes incapacitated. In fact, the Humane Society estimates that betw…
3 Ways To Benefit By Incorporating Charitable Giving Into Your Estate Plan
You are likely well aware of the tax benefits that come from donating to charity during your lifetime—donations to charity are tax-deductible. But y…
10 Things You Should Know About Living Wills
When it comes to estate planning, you’ve most likely heard people mention a couple of different types of wills. The most common is a “last will and …
Estate Planning Must-Haves For Single Parents
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, an…
Estate Planning 101: Wills vs. Trusts
Wills and trusts are two of the most commonly used estate planning documents, and they form the foundation of most estate plans. While both document…
House Democrats Propose Sweeping New Changes To Tax Laws That Stand To Have Major Impact On Estate Planning—Part 1
On September 13, 2021, Democrats in the House of Representatives released a new $3.5 trillion proposed spending plan that includes a wide array of c…
Estate Planning For A Child With Special Needs: What Parents Need To Know
Estate planning is an obvious concern for all parents, but if you have a child with special needs, it’s crucial that you are aware of the unique con…
3 Estate Planning Issues For LGBTQ+ Couples—Part 2
Whether you are married or not, if you are involved in a committed partnership with another individual, estate planning is about so much more than p…
3 Estate Planning Issues For LGBTQ+ Couples—Part 1
Whether you are married or in a committed partnership, estate planning is about much more than planning for death—it’s about planning for life. It’s…
Britney Spears’ Nightmare Conservatorship Underscores The Vital Importance Of Incapacity Planning—Part 2
Since the age of 16, when she burst onto the charts with her debut single, “…Hit Me Baby One More Time,” Britney Spears has been one of the world’…
Britney Spears’ Nightmare Conservatorship Underscores The Vital Importance Of Incapacity Planning—Part 1
Since the age of 16, when she burst onto the charts with her debut single, “…Hit Me Baby One More Time,” Britney Spears has been one of the world’…
Legal Gangsters: Netflix’s I Care a Lot Uncovers the Dark Side of Legal Guardianship – Part 2
The Netflix movie I Care a Lot provides a dark, violent, and somewhat comedic take on the real-life and not-at-all funny dangers of the legal (and s…
Legal Gangsters: Netflix’s I Care a Lot Uncovers the Dark Side of Legal Guardianship – Part 1
The Netflix movie I Care a Lot provides a dark, violent, and somewhat comedic take on the real-life and not-at-all funny dangers of the legal (and s…
Why You Should Create a Trust To Protect Your Business and Family
Although you can invest in many different types of insurance to protect your business from lawsuits and other liabilities, one of the greatest liabi…
Consider This Before You Create A Will Online
A last will and testament is the most commonly thought-of document when it comes to an estate plan. But really it is only a very small part of an in…
Just Married? 6 Estate Planning Essentials for Newlyweds – Part 2
As we head into the peak of wedding season, if you are a newlywed or are about to tie the knot, add “estate planning” to your do list. And yes, we i…
Just Married – 6 Estate Planning Essentials for Newlyweds – Part 1
As we head into the peak of wedding season, if you are a newlywed or are about to tie the knot, add “estate planning” to your do list. And yes, we i…
Don’t Let Diminished Financial Capacity Put your Elder Loved Ones at Risk – Part 2
In the first part of this series, we discussed the early warning signs of diminished financial capacity in the elderly. Here, we’ll discuss planning…
Don’t Let Diminished Financial Capacity Put Your Elderly Loved Ones At Risk – Pt 1
With more and more Baby Boomers reaching retirement age each year, our country is undergoing an unprecedented demographic transformation that’s been dub…
Money Talk: How Much Will You Share With Your Kids (and When)?
At most family dinner tables, money is not a typical discussion, but we think it should be. Surprisingly, this is especially true when it …
6 Ways The American Rescue Plan Can Boost Your Family’s Finances – Part 2
Signed into law on March 11th, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is the largest direct-to-taxpayer stimulus leg…
6 Ways The American Rescue Plan Can Boost Your Family’s Finances – Part 1
Signed into law on March 11th, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is the largest direct-to-taxpayer stimulus leg…
7 Ways To Save Big Money On Your 2020 Taxes—Part 2
2020 was a nightmarish year for many families. But thanks to recent legislation, you could see a silver lining in the form of major tax breaks when …
Things to Remember While Updating Your Estate Plan After You Move
Although you likely won’t need to have an entirely new estate plan prepared for you, upon relocating to another state, you should definitely have yo…
7 Ways To Save Big Money On Your 2020 Taxes—Part 1
2020 was a nightmarish year for many families. But thanks to recent legislation, you could see a silver lining in the form of major tax breaks when …
Why Estate Planning is a Women’s Issue
A group of wealth strategists at CIBC Private Wealth Management noticed that the women in attendance at educational seminars for client couples were o…
New Developments Transform the Role Life Insurance Plays in Your Estate and Financial Planning
Within the past year, a combination of new legislation and the recent change of leadership in the White House and Congress stands to dramatically in…
Does Your Estate Plan Protect Your Intellectual Property?
If you own a business, you almost certainly have intellectual property. However, because your intellectual property is intangible, it can be invisible…
5 Tips For Keeping Kids Connected With Grandparents During the Pandemic
While the quarantines, shutdowns, and social distancing measures related to the pandemic have been difficult for everyone, the elderly have been particu…
What You Should Know About Long Term Care Insurance
With people living longer than ever before, more and more seniors require long-term healthcare services in nursing homes and assisted living facilities….
Moving To A New State? Remember to Update Your Estate Plan
Although you likely won’t need to have an entirely new estate plan prepared for you, upon relocating to another state, you should definitely have your e…
5 Steps For Adding Digital Assets To Your Estate Plan
Although digital technology has made many aspects of our lives much easier and more convenient, it has also created some unique challenges when it comes…
4 Tips For Talking About Estate Planning With Your Family Over the Holidays
With COVID-19 still raging, your 2020 holiday season may not feature the big family get-togethers of years past, but you’ll still likely be visiting…
5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Estate Planning Lawyer—Part 2
Since you’ll be discussing topics like death, incapacity, and other frightening life events, hiring an estate planning lawyer may feel intimidating …
5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Estate Planning Lawyer—Part 1
Since you’ll be discussing topics like death, incapacity, and other frightening life events, hiring an estate planning lawyer may feel intimidating …
Remarrying In Midlife? Avoid Accidently Disinheriting Your Loved Ones
Today, we’re seeing more and more people getting divorced in middle age and beyond. Indeed, the trend of couples getting divorced aft…
6 Things You Should NOT Include In Your Will
A will is one of the most basic estate planning tools. While relying solely on a will is rarely a suitable option for most people, just about every …
Getting Divorced? Don’t Overlook These 4 Updates to Your Estate Plan—Part 2
Going through divorce can be an overwhelming experience that impacts nearly every facet of your life, including estate planning. Yet, with so much t…
Getting Divorced? Don’t Overlook These 4 Updates to Your Estate Plan—Part 1
Going through divorce can be an overwhelming experience that impacts nearly every facet of your life, including estate planning. Yet, with so much t…
Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman Dies Without A Will—Part 2
On October 15th, nearly two months after the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, filed documents with the…
Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman Dies Without A Will—Part 1
On October 15th, nearly two months after the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, filed documents with the…
Start Planning Now to Prepare Your Estate for a Possible Democratic Sweep—Part 2
No matter who you vote for on November 3rd, you may want to start considering the potential legal, financial, and tax impacts a change of leadership mig…
4 Reasons Why You Can’t Afford to Go Without An Estate Plan
October 19th-25th, 2020 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, so if you’ve been thinking about creating an estate plan, but still haven’t ch…
Start Planning Now to Prepare Your Estate for a Possible Democratic Sweep—Part 1
No matter who you are voting for on November 3rd, you may want to start considering the potential legal, financial, and tax impacts a change of lead…
What You Should Know Before Agreeing to Serve as Trustee
Being asked by a loved one to serve as trustee for their trust upon their death can be quite an honor, but it’s also a major responsibility—and the …
6 Changes to Watch For In Your 2020 Taxes
Although you may have just filed your 2019 income taxes in July, now is the time to start thinking about your 2020 return due next April. While it’s…
Once Your Kids are 18, Make Sure They Sign These Documents
While estate planning is probably one of the last things your teenage kids are thinking about, given the dire threat coronavirus represents, when th…
Lost An Old 401(k)? Here Are 6 Tips For Finding It
The days of working for a single employer for decades until you retire are over. Today, you are much more likely to change jobs multiple times durin…
Supreme Court Case Could Impact LGBTQ Adoption, But Estate Planning Offers Alternate Options
A case on the Supreme Court’s docket for October could have a major impact on the parental rights of same-gender couples seeking to adopt or foster …
What the Netflix Series Tiger King Can Teach You About Asset Protection Planning-Part 3
Anyone who has seen the hit Netflix documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness can attest that it’s one of the most outlandish stories to come …
What the Netflix Series Tiger King Can Teach You About Estate Planning-Part 2
Anyone who has seen the hit Netflix documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness can attest that it’s one of the most outlandish stories to c…
What the Netflix Series Tiger King Can Teach You About Estate Planning-Part 1
Anyone who has seen the hit Netflix documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness can attest that it’s one of the most outlandish stories to c…
3 Unique Ways to Handle the Guilt Inherent to Being a Parent
If you’re a parent, you may feel even more guilty than usual. If so, you are definitely not alone. Currently, the burden is on you to both carry on wit…
Buyer Beware: The Hidden Dangers of DIY Estate Planning – Part 1
The sites let you complete and print out just about any kind of planning document you can think of—wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and/or power of…
Buyer Beware: The Hidden Dangers of DIY Estate Planning—Part 2
Earlier this week, we shared the first part of this series on the dangers of do-it-yourself estate planning. Here, we’ll look at how online legal do…
4 Things Trusts Can Do That Wills Can’t
Both wills and trusts are estate planning documents that can be used to pass your wealth and property to your loved ones upon your death. However, t…
How Do Trusts Help You Save on Taxes?
Many people come to us curious (or confused) about trusts and taxes. So today’s article is going to sort it out and clarify things for you.
There are t…
COVID-19 Highlights Critical Need for Advance Healthcare Directives—Part 2
In the first part of this series Covid 19 Highlights – Part 1 , we discussed the vital importance of having updated advance directives in place in light…
COVID-19 Highlights Critical Need for Advance Healthcare Directives—Part 1
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country, doctors across the nation are joining lawyers in urging Americans to create the proper estate …
