Our second installment for National Estate Planning Awareness Week: trusts, wills, and the difference between the two. When most people hear "estate planning," they immediately think "will," but for parents, a simple will is, simply, not enough. A very common question we get is "What is the difference between and will and a trust?" In some ways they are very similar, and in some ways they are very different. Both Read More
Trust vs. Will: What you Need to Know- National Estate Planning Awareness Week
Our second installment for National Estate Planning Awareness Week: trusts, wills, and the difference between the two. When most people hear "estate planning," they immediately think "will," but for parents, a simple will is, simply, not enough. A very common questions we get is "What is the difference between and will and a trust?" In some ways they are very similar, and in some ways they are very different. The Read More
Trust vs. Will: What is the Difference?
What is a trust, what is a will, and what is the difference between the two? When most people hear "estate planning," they immediately think "will," but for parents, a simple will is, simply, not enough. A very common questions we get is "What is the difference between and will and a trust?" In some ways they are very similar, and in some ways they are very different. The way that they are similar is that both a Read More
Art Reflects Life: What we can learn from ABC’s Modern Family
Art reflects life. Even a humorous television sitcom such as ABC's Modern Family touches on serious issues like guardianship and asset protection. A comprehensive estate plan can protect the things that matter most. For most, this means their property and their family. Including provisions for the care of your children in your estate plan is essential for peace of mind. But many parents struggle with including such Read More
Estate Planning for the Blended Family
Balancing the needs of a multi-generational blended family with your own wishes can be a complicated task, especially when it comes to estate planning. With a majority of Americans not only marrying once, but twice, three or even four times during their lives, it is a challenge that will come to many. Even when blended family members get along, estate planning can be complicated. The potential for acrimony among Read More
More About Your Estate Plan
The revocable living trust is the basic building block of most estate plans. It’s the tool that allows your estate to avoid the expense, delay, and uncertainty of probate court, and it is the tool that can hold just about any of your assets. While revocable living trusts are ubiquitous in the world of estate planning, it seems that many people are still confused about them, so we are going to clear up a few commonly Read More
When No One Feels Right, How to Decide Who to Name as Guardians
Reasons Most Parents Have Not Planned for the Care of their Kids The statistics are staggering: most parents do not have wills or other documents naming guardian(s) of their children if something happens to them. Depending on the source, the percentage is between 50-75%. Why? One reason is likely lack of knowledge – some parents might understand that a will is the traditional place to name guardians for children Read More
Not The End, But A New Beginning
In the next two months, those words will ring out in high school graduation ceremonies all across the country. And if you have a high school senior in your home, then chances are that things are about to change dramatically, both for you and your high school senior. There are a few things that you need to take care of before sending your senior off to college. In essence, you need to really prepare your student for Read More
Your Estate Planning Checklist
The death of a parent… Medical issues… Birth of a child… A milestone birthday… Any of these events can trigger the urge to put your affairs in order and plan your estate. One of the best things you can for your loved ones is to leave them an estate that’s well organized, clear cut and easy to administer. While we talk often about the need for a sound estate plan, we know that trying to plan your estate can be Read More
Saving Your Heirs From Themselves
You’ve worked hard for your money... You’ve made some good investments and lived well within your means... You want to leave as much as possible to your heirs but... That grandson has a serious snowboarding addiction... Or maybe your daughter is just crazy about her new husband and the guy hasn’t had a steady job since he mowed yards in eighth grade... You don’t want to disinherit them but how do you save them Read More
