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In an aging society, you might face difficult end-of-life decisions for your loved ones sooner than expected. And when you do, you’ll realize that the journey is rarely straightforward.

If you've ever considered planning for your future or helped someone plan for theirs, you've probably heard the term "power of attorney." But do you know what it is and how it works?

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.

When Matthew Perry, the beloved star of Friends, passed away last year, the world mourned the loss of a comedic icon. However, as details of his estate began to emerge, a curious puzzle presented itself: why did he seem to have less money than you’d expect?

Most people think “estate planning” is the same as drafting a will or trust. This is a common misconception. Estate planning isn’t about certain documents but more like a good lasagna recipe.

The allure of Do-It-Yourself estate planning through AI is substantial, especially when you think your situation is simple. But here’s the truth: estate planning is not just about creating a set of documents, and it’s almost always more complicated than you think.

This fall, we invite you to take a meaningful pause and reflect on the legacy you’re building through your life’s work. Your hard work deserves to be protected. You can ensure that everything you’ve built is passed on exactly as you wish, safeguarding your values and assets for future generations. It’s a call to action to take control of your future, celebrate your achievements, and secure a legacy reflecting your identity.

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.

Gentlemen! As you may know, June marked Men’s Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about health issues predominantly affecting men and encouraging the early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Have you considered how your health and estate planning are connected? Find out how in this week’s blog!

When your child turns 18, they’re legally an adult even though they have much more growing to do (though they may not think so!). Just like any other adult, their health and financial information is protected by privacy laws. But you can still help them if you and your child plan.

Unless you've created an estate plan that works to keep your family out of court, when you die (or become incapacitated) many of your assets must go through probate before those assets can be distributed to your heirs. Like most court proceedings, probate can be time-consuming, costly, and open t...

Unless you've created a proper estate plan, upon your passing many of your assets must first go through the court process known as probate before those assets can be distributed to your heirs. During probate, the court supervises a number of different legal actions, all of which are aimed at fina...

As a parent, you've always strived to provide the best for your family, ensuring their well-being and securing their future. However, even the most well-intentioned plans can fail if you overlook the complexities of estate planning.

As an LGBTQIA+ non-biological parent, June sparks a flurry of Pride celebrations reminding you of the remarkable progress the community has made, while also shining a light on the ongoing fight for full equality. One area where you may still face unique legal hurdles is in ensuring your parental rights are properly protected, if you are a non-biological parent.

What is a legacy, really? And how does it apply to you? What type of legacy do you wish to leave behind?

In the first part of our series on practical steps to take to ensure a comfortable retirement, we discussed estate planning, passing on legacy, and planning for long-term care. This week, we continue with 5 more steps, from adapting your home for comfort and safety to harnessing technology for independence. Taking these steps will give you comfort in your later years.

Retirement is more than just an end to the working years; it's an exciting new phase of life that requires thoughtful preparation and strategic planning. There’s no time like the present to explore 5 practical steps you can take now to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling retirement.

Parents spend their days and nights thinking about how to make sure their children are happy, healthy, and safe. If you're a parent, you know. Every parent deserves the peace of mind and power to create financial security for themselves and their children with thoughtful estate planning. Most peo...

Having a Will, otherwise known as a Last Will & Testament, is important—and all adults over age 18 should have this document in place.  Yet for all but a few people, creating a Will is just one small part of an effective estate plan that works to keep your loved ones out of court and out of confl...