A will or, 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 a comprehensive plan that ensures your family stays out of court if and when something happens to you. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can just write your own will and that will help your family. You have probably seen ads from services that tout the idea Read More
WHY DIY ESTATE PLANNING IS A BAD IDEA FOR THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
America is a nation of do-it-yourselfers, but building a deck and creating a legally valid estate plan are two entirely different things — and a less-than-perfect deck won’t devastate your family’s financial future or the relationships among the people you care about most. The prevalence of online legal services has led many people to believe that they can create legal documents cheaply and those documents will be Read More
The Key Differences Between Wills and Trusts
When discussing estate planning, a will is what most people think of first. Indeed, wills have been the most popular method for passing on assets to heirs for hundreds of years. But wills aren’t your only option. And if you rely on a will alone to pass on what matters, you’re guaranteeing your family has to go to court when you die. In contrast, other estate planning vehicles, such as trusts, which used to be Read More
4 Ways Estate Planning Can Enhance Relationships With Your Loved Ones
Although you might not realize it, estate planning offers you the opportunity to enhance your relationship with loved ones in some major ways. Planning requires you to closely consider your relationships with family and friends—past, present, and future—like never before. Indeed, the process can be the ultimate forum for heartfelt communication and prioritizing what matters most in life. Indeed, communicating Read More
Holiday Bonus + Tax Refund Spending: Where to Put it For Max Return
Did you get a holiday bonus from your employer? Or maybe you have a tax refund coming. If so, do you have any of it left, have you already got it spent in your mind, or are you thoughtfully considering how you can best utilize this surprise resource? Annual bonus payments and tax refunds are nice windfalls, which can be used to create more stability in your life. While it is fun to treat such income as “mad money” Read More
THE BEST GIFT? RECORD and PASS DOWN YOUR FAMILY WEALTH LEGACY
The most important inheritance you can provide for your loved ones is so much more than the money you’ll leave behind. The most important inheritance includes your values, insights, stories, and experience. We all have the intention of creating a journal or a recording, but life gets in the way and the journaling or recording never happens. Capturing your story, in recorded form, is one of the most rewarding aspects Read More
4 Tips for Talking About Estate Planning With Your Family Over the Holidays
This year, it is our sincere hope that you will be able to visit with loved ones and enjoy a holiday season with your family. However, given the ongoing pandemic, preparing for unforeseen circumstances is still on everyone’s mind, and with everyone together, the holidays are often a good time to bring up estate planning. That said, asking your dad about his end-of-life wishes while he’s watching football isn’t the Read More
10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes Your Family Can’t Afford to Make—Part 2
Because estate planning involves actively thinking about and planning for frightening topics like death, old age, and crippling disability, many people put it off or simply ignore it all together until it’s too late. Sadly, this unwillingness to face reality often creates serious hardship, expense, and trauma for those loved ones you leave behind. To complicate matters, the recent proliferation of online estate Read More
10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes Your Family Can’t Afford to Make—Part 1
Because estate planning involves actively thinking about and planning for frightening topics like death, old age, and crippling disability, many people put it off or simply ignore it all together until it’s too late. Sadly, this unwillingness to face reality often creates serious hardship, expense, and trauma for those loved ones you leave behind. To complicate matters, the recent proliferation of online estate Read More
Do Your Homework to Ensure Your Kids Are Properly Cared For No Matter What Happens
It’s back-to-school time again, and when it comes to estate planning you may have homework to do. As a parent, your most critical—and often overlooked—task is to select and legally document guardians for your minor children. Guardians are people legally named to care for your children in the event of your death or incapacity. Don’t think just because you’ve named godparents or have grandparents living nearby Read More
