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Many people believe that once they've created a trust, they can simply file it away and forget about it. But just like your health needs regular check-ups, your whole estate plan (including your trust) requires periodic reviews to ensure that it will work for your loved ones and not fail when they need it.

Without marriage's legal protections, unmarried couples face unique estate planning challenges that could leave partners vulnerable and children at risk. Learn how to protect your loved ones and assets with proper planning.

As summer approaches, many parents are planning fun getaways with their children. However, few consider what would happen to their kids if an emergency occurred during their travels.

Many same-sex couples are concerned about potential rollbacks of federal marriage protections and what that could mean for their families. While certain federal benefits could be affected by policy changes, comprehensive estate planning provides crucial protections regardless of marriage recognition.

Actress Shannen Doherty's death last year highlights how critical timing can be when it comes to estate planning during divorce. Her last-minute divorce likely saved her estate millions and prevented years of legal battles.

Surveys conducted in 2024 by Caring.com and Ameriprise Financial revealed a troubling trend: Americans are falling behind on estate planning. The Caring.com survey revealed that only 32% of Americans have a will - a 6% decline from 2023. The Ameriprise survey found that 52% of couples lack estate...

Make 2025 the year you finally tackle estate planning and protect your loved ones’ future. Learn the five essential steps you can take right now to ensure they are cared for, and your legacy is preserved.

The 2025-26 FAFSA introduces sweeping changes that revolutionize how families apply for college financial aid. While these updates streamline the application process, they also create new considerations for estate planning.

Estate planning can seem overwhelming, but understanding key concepts can make a huge difference in your family's future.

Understanding how accounts are titled and who has access to them isn't just about convenience—it's about ensuring your assets transfer smoothly to your loved ones while protecting them from potential risks. But how should you go about this?

When the iconic Tony Bennett passed away in July 2023 at 96, the world lost a beloved crooner whose music touched generations. Yet, behind the harmony of his musical achievements lies a discordant note in his personal life. Following his passing, a family dispute casts a shadow over his legacy. While Bennett brought people together through his music, it seems his passing has sparked tensions within his family, with disagreements now making their way to the courtroom.

The holiday season is the perfect time to create a lasting family legacy by capturing the values, stories, and wisdom that define your family’s identity. Through meaningful conversations guided by thought-provoking questions, you can record these priceless insights to preserve them for future generations. Pair this effort with a comprehensive estate plan to protect your tangible and intangible assets, ensuring your life’s legacy endures.

While passing down family recipes and gathering around the holiday table are cherished traditions, these moments also present a perfect opportunity to discuss, preserve, and protect your family's broader legacy.

Being named as an executor might seem like an honor, but many people don't realize the enormous responsibility and potential headaches that come with the role. Learn what's involved in administering someone's estate and how proper planning can save your loved ones from unnecessary stress and conflict.

Your military service demonstrated a profound commitment to protecting America's future. Now, it's time to protect your family's future through thoughtful estate planning that honors your service. Protecting your veteran benefits isn't just practical—it's your final act of service.

Shelley Duvall, best known for her role as Wendy Torrance in The Shining, passed away recently at the age of 75. While her acting legacy continues to captivate fans, her passing reveals some important lessons about estate planning that everyone can learn from.

It's time to shed light on estate planning as it is an often misunderstood and frequently avoided topic. Many people don’t understand what estate planning is - even attorneys sometimes don’t understand it. So, I’ll take this opportunity to set the record straight and debunk some common myths, then explore why you need an estate plan and how to get the right one at the right price.

The passing of a loved one is heartbreaking, but the aftermath can become even more painful if disagreements over their personal belongings tear your family apart. These disputes, primarily when centered around meaningful objects, can leave lasting wounds that may never fully heal.

As a professional in the field, I've seen many financial advisors, accountants, and even other lawyers suggest that naming beneficiaries on your accounts is sufficient, and that you don’t need an estate plan. However, they often overlook the potential risks to your family's financial future.

Imagine discovering thousands of dollars that belong to you, only to be told you can't have it. It’s called “unclaimed property,” money that’s yours but has been handed over to the government without your knowledge. And it happens more often than you may think.

Imagine this: You're in your twenties, and you fill out a form at work naming your significant other as the beneficiary of your retirement account. Fast-forward 28 years—you've long since broken up, lived a full life, and died, and your ex gets your now-million-dollar nest egg. Sound far-fetched? It's not.

In this last installment of our four-part celebrity series, we spotlight Elvis, the King of Rock. Although he passed away in 1977, his estate can teach us valuable lessons, even in 2024, about the importance of estate planning and how to avoid falling prey to scammers.

In this third installment of our four-part celebrity series, we discuss a topic that no one wants to consider as it may seem to be a fate worse than death: incapacity. Find out what Jay Leno and his family can teach us about the need to be prepared, no matter what happens.

Since we love a good celebrity story, this August, we’re looking at the lives of 4 celebrities and how they’re preparing for the inevitable (or didn’t!) in this second article of our 4-part celebrity estate planning series, Vanilla Ice chimes in with his estate planning experience, advice, and lessons learned. Let’s just say he has…thoughts.

For whatever reason, we just can’t resist a good, juicy celebrity story. So, for the next few weeks, we will look at the lives of 4 celebrities and how they prepared for the inevitable (or didn’t!). This week, we're spotlighting the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.