Archive for July 2025
What Makes a Trust “Work”? (Hint: It’s Not Just Having One)
When it comes to estate planning, setting up a trust can feel like checking off a major to-do—and it is. But simply creating a trust isn’t enough. In fact, many families are surprised to learn (too late) that the trust their loved one carefully set up… didn’t actually work. Here’s the truth: A trust is…
Read MoreIs Your Trust Aligned with Your Tax Planning?
When most people think of setting up a trust, they focus on avoiding probate or protecting their loved ones—but few consider how their trust impacts their tax strategy. Unfortunately, that oversight can lead to missed opportunities or unexpected tax consequences down the line. 1. Not All Trusts Are Taxed the Same The tax treatment of…
Read MoreHow to Use a Trust Protector: Adding Flexibility to Your Estate Plan
We all know life doesn’t always go according to plan. Laws change. Family dynamics evolve. Trustees pass away or fall short. And if your trust is too rigid, that can leave your family stuck in a legal bind—or worse, headed to court. That’s why more and more people are adding a key player to their…
Read MoreThe “After Death” Playbook: What Your Trustee Needs to Know (Before They Need to Know It)
Naming a successor trustee is one of the most important decisions in your estate plan. But for too many families, that decision is made… and then forgotten. When the time comes, your trustee may be left sorting through paperwork, wondering where to begin, and worrying about making a mistake. Let’s fix that—starting with a clear…
Read MoreBetween What Was and What’s Next
As August draws to a close, I find myself feeling that quiet tension in the air again—that subtle reminder that another season is ending
Read More“She Was Still Our Baby”
A Heartbreaking Reminder of Why Every Parent Needs to Be a Health Care Proxy for their Children A recent article from NPR’s Here & Now (April 8, 2025) has once again brought to light the heartbreaking story of Baylie Grogan—a 19-year-old pre-med student whose tragic accident left her family powerless in a moment when she…
Read MoreWhat Summer Left Behind
After spending part of this summer traveling through Europe with my family, I find myself slowly returning—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally—back into the swing of everyday life. And wow, reentry is real. Whether you’ve traveled this summer or just taken a break from your usual routine, you probably know the feeling. That moment…
Read MoreWho Will Know What You Meant to Do?
You may think your estate plan is clear. You’ve named your trustees, outlined who gets what, and signed the paperwork. But when the time comes, will your family, loved ones, or even your fiduciaries actually understand what you meant? Because here’s the hard truth:Most estate plans fail not because they’re missing documents—but because they’re missing…
Read MorePlanning in the Middle: What to Do When You’re Not Young Anymore—But Not ‘Old’ Yet
There’s a unique season of life—somewhere between raising kids and retiring—where things feel stable but full. You’re no longer figuring it all out, but you’re not winding down either. This is the middle. It’s also one of the most important (and overlooked) times to do estate planning. You’re in the Middle If… In other words,…
Read MoreNo Plan Is a Plan—Just Not the One You’d Choose
When it comes to estate planning, there’s a common misconception: “I don’t need a plan yet.” But here’s the truth—if you don’t create a plan, the state already has one for you. It might not reflect your wishes.It might not protect your loved ones.It might not be what you’d choose. And yet, it’s the plan…
Read MoreThe Emotional Side of Estate Planning No One Talks About
Estate planning is usually framed around legal terms, tax strategies, and asset protection. But beneath the paperwork, forms, and funding is something much more powerful—and more complex: Emotion. Fear, guilt, obligation, grief, love, resentment—these feelings often shape estate plans just as much as logic does. Yet few people talk about it. The Unspoken Feelings Behind…
Read MoreWhat Happens If You’re Incapacitated…But Not Gone?
Most people think of estate planning as something that kicks in when they die. But here’s the truth:The most urgent use of your estate plan may come while you’re still alive—just unable to speak for yourself. Whether it’s a stroke, an accident, a serious illness, or cognitive decline, incapacity can happen unexpectedly. And it creates…
Read MoreHalfway Through the Year: What Deserves a Second Look in Your Plan?
Summer is in full swing—and while vacations, family time, and warm evenings may be top of mind, this midpoint in the year is also the perfect time to pause and ask: “Is my estate plan still aligned with my life today?” A lot can change in six months. Whether it’s a financial shift, a health…
Read MoreWhere I’m Craving More Clarity and Structure — And Maybe You Are Too
Lately, I’ve been sitting with the question: What’s one area of my life that needs more clarity or structure? And the answer that keeps bubbling up—the one I’ve tried to quiet or excuse—is… my time. But not in the way I usually think of time management. This isn’t about better calendars, color-coded schedules, or finding…
Read MoreUnderstanding Heggstad Petitions—And Why They Matter for Advisors
As a trusted advisor, you’re often the first to spot red flags in your clients’ planning. One situation we see far too often—and one that can create a costly mess—is when a client has a trust… but not all their assets are actually in it. That’s where a Heggstad petition can make a crucial difference.…
Read MoreThe Biggest Mistakes We See in DIY Trusts—And How You Can Help Prevent Them
In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever for individuals to download estate planning documents online or use a one-size-fits-all platform to create their own trust. While the promise of convenience and cost savings can be tempting, these DIY solutions often lead to major legal headaches—and missed opportunities—for families down the road. As a trusted…
Read MoreThe Quiet Crisis of Elder Financial Exploitation
With online scams targeting seniors daily, here’s how to build protection into your plan. It often starts quietly: a strange phone call, a suspicious email, or a friendly “tech support” pop-up. Before families even realize what’s happened, a loved one’s bank account is drained or their personal information is in the hands of a scammer.…
Read MoreCan Your Kids Handle Their Inheritance?
With trillions set to change hands over the coming decades, we’re in the middle of the largest generational wealth transfer in U.S. history. But the real question isn’t how much your kids will inherit—it’s whether they’ll be ready for it. In 2025, as debt levels climb and financial literacy struggles to keep pace, many parents…
Read MoreEverything’s in My Spouse’s Name”—Why That’s Not an Estate Plan
How relying on asset ownership alone can leave you unprotected—and what you should do instead Many couples assume that putting everything in one spouse’s name is enough to protect their family. We hear it all the time: “Everything’s in my spouse’s name—we’re good.” But here’s the truth: That’s not a real estate plan. It might…
Read MoreSoak It In While It Lasts
July has a way of arriving quietly but meaningfully. The long days and late sunsets don’t shout for our attention—they simply stretch out before us, offering a slower rhythm if we’re willing to notice. It’s the kind of season that invites us to breathe a little deeper, step a little lighter, and recalibrate not just…
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