Blog
Notes on planning for the people you love
Wills, trusts, guardians, long-term care, and the questions families ask most.
Tax Season Forced You to Look. Now Ask the One Question That Actually Matters.
Tax season just made you look at your financial life honestly. All of it. Tax season forced it. You gathered documents, tracked down account…
Anne Heche Died in 2022. Her Family Is Still Paying for It
After you're gone, your family won't just be grieving. They'll be making phone calls, hunting down accounts, and navigating a legal process that no…
One Death, One Courtroom, One Child - and a Lesson Every Parent Needs to Hear
You probably assume that if something happened to you, the other parent would step in and everything would work itself out. In many families, that's…
Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples: Protecting the Person You Love
You and your partner have built something real together. Maybe you share a home, split the bills, and have been each other's go-to person for years.…
Here’s What Can Happen to Blended Families When a Spouse Dies
If you are in a blended family, you may believe the simplest estate plan is the fairest one: "I'll leave everything to my spouse. They'll take care…
Here’s What Happens to Your Retirement Accounts After You Die
Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs often represent the single largest category of wealth for American families. According to recent data,…
Creating a Trust in Your Will vs. Creating a Living Trust: Part 2
Last week, we covered how it works when you create a trust through your will. This week, I'll show you how a trust created during your lifetime…
Creating a Trust in Your Will vs. Creating a Living Trust: Part 1
You've probably heard that trusts help families avoid probate court and protect assets for the people you love. Maybe you've even talked to a lawyer…
Why Quick and Simple Estate Plan Reviews Don't Exist
When someone calls an estate planning attorney asking for a "quick look" at their documents, the request usually sounds straightforward. Maybe the…
Understanding Inheritance Taxes: What You and Your Beneficiaries Need to Know
When planning for your death, there’s one issue you may not have thought about, but is so important to your beneficiaries: will your loved ones have…
What Happens to Your Debt When You Die?
It's a question I hear often: if I die with debt, will my family be stuck paying it off? The short answer is it depends on several factors, including…
Where Will You Live and How Will You Get and Pay For Care As You Age? A Legal and Practical Guide
If you're planning for your own future or helping aging parents, understanding options for living and long-term care isn't just about finding a nice…