Archive for June 2025
Planning for the ‘In-Between’: When a Loved One Is Declining but Not Gone
Estate planning is often thought of in two stages: while you’re alive and healthy, and after you’re gone. But there’s a critical—and often overlooked—phase in between: when a loved one is alive but experiencing declining health, capacity, or independence. This “in-between” time can last for months or even years, and it’s when families are often…
Read More5 Easy Tips to Simplify Your Charitable Giving
Will you be donating to charities this year? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds us that you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your tax return to claim a deduction for charitable gifts. The following five tips can also help ensure that your charitable gifts count. Tip #1: Give to a qualified charity. Only…
Read MoreWant to Disinherit Someone? This Is What You Need to Know
Disinheritance—the intentional exclusion of a family member, usually a child or spouse, from receiving part of your estate after your death—is more common than you might think. It is also easier than you might think to disinherit a loved one, with a couple of notable exceptions. However, it is not as simple as omitting someone’s…
Read MoreEstate Planning Strategies to Protect Your Spouse
You found the love of your life, and as you have built your life together, you have likely weathered your fair share of storms and grown stronger because of them. Now that you are married, you are uniquely situated to provide meaningful support for your spouse after your passing through special estate planning tools available…
Read MoreDado Diaries: The Beautiful, Bumpy, Brave Becoming
This week, my daughter graduates from 8th grade. My only daughter. My middle child. And while this isn’t our first graduation as a family, it carries its own kind of gravity. Not because it’s “the first” or “the last”—but because it’s hers. Because she stands at this threshold with her own story, her own voice,…
Read MoreMoney Can’t Talk—But Your Estate Plan Can Speak for You
Your estate plan is more than a legal tool. It’s your voice—preserved on paper—ready to speak for you when you no longer can. It can tell your family how to carry out your wishes, guide loved ones through difficult decisions, and even express your values long after you’re gone. In the absence of your direction,…
Read MoreThe Unspoken Risks of ‘Set It and Forget It’ Planning
Creating an estate plan is a powerful step—but it’s not the finish line. One of the most common (and costly) mistakes people make is assuming that once their documents are signed, their plan is complete forever. The reality? Life doesn’t stand still—and neither should your estate plan. Why “Set It and Forget It” Doesn’t Work…
Read MoreJune Checklist: 6 Small Planning Tweaks That Prevent Big Future Messes
Estate planning doesn’t always require a massive overhaul. In fact, small updates—especially when done regularly—can prevent the most stressful and expensive problems for your family later on. That’s why June, the mid-point of the year, is a perfect time for a quick check-in. Below is a simple six-point checklist to help ensure your plan is…
Read MoreThe Hidden Gaps in Most Estate Plans—and How to Fix Them
Most people feel a sense of relief once their estate plan is finally signed—like checking a big task off a long list. And that peace of mind is well-earned. But here’s the truth: even well-drafted estate plans can have gaps that create stress, confusion, or unintended consequences down the line. Estate planning isn’t just about…
Read MoreDon’t Let Summer Go By Without Reviewing Your Plan
Summer is a season of slowing down, soaking up sunshine—and for many families, reconnecting. But amidst vacations, graduations, and backyard barbecues, one important task often gets overlooked: your estate plan. While it might not seem like beach-reading material, summer is actually the perfect time to revisit your plan and make sure it still reflects your…
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