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Posted on Mar 25, 2019
Most Americans do not have a simple will as part of their estate plan. You might believe that a will is only for the rich and famous, and not the average person who has a far smaller net worth. On the ...
Continue reading "Do you really need a will? You May Not Think You Need a Will, But You Really Do." »
Posted on Mar 18, 2019
Confused about the differences between wills and trusts? If so, you're not alone. While it's always wise to contact experts like us, it's also important to understand the basics. ...
Continue reading "Wills vs. Trusts: A Quick & Simple Reference Guide" »
Posted on Mar 11, 2019
Hiring an estate planner is an important decision as you are seeking advice on how to protect your loved ones once you are gone. For this reason, it is critical to hire an attorney with a good ...
Continue reading "Seeing an Estate Planner? Three Key Questions to Ask" »
Posted on Mar 4, 2019
Sadly, most Americans are indifferent to estate planning - at best - or completely ignore the issue - at worst. When it comes to estate planning, however, there are just some mistakes that you cannot ...
Continue reading "Did you or a loved one make any of these five critical estate planning mistakes?" »
Posted on Feb 25, 2019
The year 2018 has been no stranger to natural disasters. From multiple earthquakes, back-to-back hurricanes, and raging wildfires, the United States and abroad has suffered some serious natural ...
Continue reading "Three Tips for Protecting Your Important Legal Paperwork in a Natural Disaster" »
Posted on Feb 18, 2019
If you or someone you know has received an inheritance, it is important for you to understand how to manage your basis “step up.” A “step up” in basis is the adjustment of the ...
Continue reading "How to Manage Your Basis "Step Up"" »
Posted on Feb 11, 2019
In its simplest terms, a trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee holds and manages assets for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. The trustee owns the assets, enters into contracts on ...
Continue reading "How is a corporate trustee different?" »
Posted on Feb 4, 2019
You probably know that the practice of medicine is a profession fraught with the risk of liability. It's not just medical malpractice claims either (although those are certainly scary enough). ...
Continue reading "3 Liability Planning Tips for Physicians" »
Posted on Nov 26, 2018
While the term fiduciary is a legal term with a rich history, it very generally means someone who is legally obligated to act in another person’s best interests. Trustees, executors, and agents ...
Continue reading "How to Pick a Trustee, Executor, and Agent Under a Power of Attorney" »
Posted on Nov 19, 2018
We know it’s hard. Thinking about someone else raising your children can stop you in your tracks. It feels crushing and too horrific to consider. But you must. If you don’t, a stranger ...
Continue reading "Do It Now: Name a Guardian for Your Minor Child(ren)" »
Posted on Nov 12, 2018
If you recently received an inheritance, or are expecting to receive one in the near future, it has likely triggered mixed emotions in you. You have lost a loved one and also experienced monetary ...
Continue reading "5 Tips for Successfully Receiving an Inheritance" »
Posted on Nov 5, 2018
Why Incapacity Planning for Business Owners is an Indispensable Component of Your Plan Most business owners have their estate planning prepared because they are worried about what will happen to their ...
Continue reading "Passing Along a Benefit, Not a Burden" »
Posted on Oct 29, 2018
Whether your beloved collection consists of artwork, books, cars, music, or other significant items, you should not forget about this valuable asset when estate planning. You have likely spent quite ...
Continue reading "What to Do with Your Beloved Collection" »
Posted on Oct 22, 2018
If you find yourself in the “sandwich generation” (someone who is caring for both your children as well as your parents simultaneously), you need to know whether or not your parents have ...
Continue reading "Do your Parents have an Estate Plan?" »
Posted on Oct 15, 2018
If you are recently married or have been married and are acquiring additional assets, know that you have options when it comes to how the property will be titled. And, although joint tenancy seems ...
Continue reading "Why Joint Tenancy Should Not Be the Go-To Plan for Newlyweds" »
Posted on Oct 8, 2018
Considering the myriad of trusts available, creating an estate plan that works can seem daunting. However, that’s what we, as estate planning attorneys, do every day. We know the laws and will ...
Continue reading "10 Types of Trusts: A Quick Look" »
Posted on Oct 3, 2018
With the fall season approaching, it’s an excellent time to review your affairs. Below is a checklist to ensure your planning meets your needs and is up to date: 1. When was your power of ...
Continue reading "Your Fall "Legal Affairs" Checklist" »
Posted on Jul 13, 2015
Tip #1 – Insurance is the First Line of Defense Against Liability Liability insurance is the first line of defense against a claim. Liability insurance provides a source of funds to pay legal ...
Continue reading "Three Liability Planning Tips for Physicians Anyone Can Use" »
Posted on Jul 6, 2015
What Documents Do You Need to Find After a Loved One Dies? After a loved one dies, you need to gather the important documents that are necessary to settle their final affairs. While the documents ...
Continue reading "What Documents Do You Need to Find After a Loved One Dies?" »
Posted on Jun 29, 2015
Three Estate Planning Mistakes Farmers and Ranchers Make and How to Avoid Them Farming or ranching is more than a means of livelihood – it is about preserving a legacy and unique way of life. ...
Continue reading "Three Estate Planning Mistakes Farmers and Ranchers Make and How to Avoid Them" »
Posted on Jun 26, 2015
On June 26, 2015 the United States Supreme Court issued its opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges, the name assigned to a series of consolidated cases on same-sex marriage rights. The Court ruled 5-4, ...
Continue reading "Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriages" »
Posted on Nov 24, 2014
Learning from Your Mistakes Can Become Your Teaching Moment Everyone makes financial mistakes. The key is to learn from them, try not to repeat them and then pass on this hard-earned wisdom to your ...
Continue reading "Learning from Your Mistakes Can Become Your Teaching Moment" »
Posted on Oct 10, 2014
If you're reading this, you need an estate plan. Why? The short answer is "Everyone, age 18 and older needs an estate plan." It doesn't matter if you are old or young, if you have ...
Continue reading "Who Needs an Estate Plan?" »
Posted on Sep 26, 2014
When planning their estate, most parents express the desire to treat their children equally out of a sense of fairness. However, sometimes being fair or doing what's right by your children may not ...
Continue reading "What if Treating Your Children Fairly Means Unequal Inheritances?" »
Posted on Sep 12, 2014
What you don't know about Social Security benefits can hurt you and your spouse for the rest of your lives. Here are three traps to avoid when taking your benefits. The Key Takeaways The longer ...
Continue reading "Three Social Security Traps" »