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
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
3 Vital Estate Planning Documents for High School Graduates
With the arrival of summer, young people across the country are about to reach a key milestone: high school graduation. If you have a child claiming their diploma, now is the time to prepare them for life after leaving the nest. Graduating high school is a significant accomplishment. However, it comes with serious responsibilities that your child probably isn't thinking much about right now. Once your child turns Read More
How To Make Better, Faster Decisions During Uncertain Times
When there’s a blow to your business, especially an unprecedented world event like the pandemic we are living through, you might feel paralyzed and unable to make a move. But when problems crop up, you as a business owner can’t afford to freeze. Or fight, or flee, for that matter. Freeze, fight, and flee are the three most common responses to trauma, and they are reactive states that can sneak up on us before we even Read More
Don’t Let Your Kids Move Out Without This Plan
Watching your kids leave home to attend college or start their career can be an emotional time for you as a parent. On one hand, moving out on their own is a major accomplishment that should make you proud. On the other hand, having your kids leave the nest and face the world can induce anxiety and fear. Regardless of your feelings, once they reach age 18, your kids become legal adults, and many areas of their Read More
Taking a Vacation? Make Sure You Plan For The Unexpected.
Vacations are a great way to get away with family, have fun and make great memories. If you are preparing for your summer vacation, don’t overlook the importance of preparing (or updating) your estate plan. Give yourself peace of mind as you travel, while minimizing the potential stress your loved ones would face if something were to go wrong. Below is a list of the things you should have in place, or review, Read More
As Your Kids Become “Adults,” Make Sure They Sign These Documents
With high school graduation coming up, many parents have and will soon watch their children become adults (at least in the eyes of the law) and leave home to pursue their education and career goals. Turning 18, graduating high school, and moving out is a huge accomplishment. And it also comes with some serious responsibilities that probably aren’t at the forefront of their (or your) mind right now. Once your Read More
Same-Gender Couples Still Face Legal Challenges Over Parental Rights—But Protections Via Estate Planning (Outside of Adoption) Are Available
In 2015, when the Supreme Court ruled that same-gender couples had the right to marry, the LGBTQ community celebrated a huge victory. With the issue of marriage settled, it looked as if same-gender couples were finally going to have equal standing with heterosexual couples in the eyes of the law. But while same-gender couples now have nearly all of the same matrimonial rights as heterosexual couples, there is one Read More
Growing Family? Time to Audit Your Insurance Policies
If you have a growing family, there is lots to prepare for and consider. Welcoming a new family member can be a joyous occasion, and requires some planning. Adding a new family member can affect your finances and create a need for more protections. Reassessing your insurance coverage might not be at the top of your list, but policies should always be audited when changes in your family life occur to ensure your Read More
