Estate planning often feels like something you can put off—something for “someday.” But the truth is, none of us can predict what the future holds. And if you never get around to creating a plan, someone else will make the decisions for you. If You Don’t Create a Plan, the State Will Create One for […]
Archives for August 2025
Your Digital Life After Death: What Happens to Your Online Accounts?
When most people think about estate planning, they picture wills, real estate, and family heirlooms. But what about your online life? From email and social media to cloud-stored photos and digital wallets, our lives are increasingly lived—and stored—online. The question is: what happens to all of it when you’re gone? The Rise of Digital Assets […]
Standing Still in the Whirlwind
This time of year always sneaks up on me. One moment, the days are long and lazy, filled with that summer looseness where schedules blur and time feels slower. And then suddenly, almost without warning, life is moving at full speed again. The start of August has always felt a bit like stepping onto a […]
Advisors and Elder Law: Protecting Clients from Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation of older adults is a growing concern—and it’s happening in ways that are increasingly subtle, sophisticated, and hard to detect. As an advisor, you are often on the front line. Whether you are a financial planner, CPA, fiduciary, or attorney, your position puts you in a unique role to spot the warning signs […]
How to Spot Clients Who Need Immediate Trust Updates
A well-drafted trust is never meant to be a “set it and forget it” document. Life changes—and so do the laws that affect your estate plan. For many families, an outdated trust can lead to unnecessary taxes, family disputes, delays in asset distribution, or even a complete failure to achieve the trust’s original goals. Whether […]
Digital Assets, Cryptocurrency, and AI: The New Frontier of Estate Planning for Advisors
The world of estate planning is evolving faster than ever—and it’s not just tax laws or family dynamics driving the change. A new category of assets has emerged that is rewriting the rules: digital assets. From cryptocurrency to online businesses, social media accounts, NFTs, and cloud-stored data, our clients are living more of their lives […]
When a Will Isn’t Enough: Why Most Californians Need a Trust
For many Californians, relying only on a will leaves the door open to delays, added costs, and unwanted court oversight. In nearly every case—especially if you own a home, have investments, or wish to protect beneficiaries—a revocable living trust can offer vital advantages that a will alone cannot. The Limitations of a Will How a […]
Veterans Aid & Attendance: The Overlooked Benefit That Can Ease Your Care Costs
When it comes to paying for long-term care, many families find themselves overwhelmed by the costs and unsure where to turn for help. For veterans and their surviving spouses, there’s an often-overlooked resource that can make a meaningful difference: the VA Aid & Attendance (A&A) benefit. What Is the Aid & Attendance Benefit? Aid & […]
What Your Trustee Secretly Hopes You Did (and Most People Don’t)
When you name someone as the trustee of your trust, you’re giving them an incredible responsibility. They’ll be the one to step in and manage your financial and legal affairs if you’re incapacitated or after you pass away, following the instructions in your trust. Most people think signing the trust document is enough. But ask […]
Beyond the Basics: 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Trust Without Changing a Word
When you create a living trust, you take a major step toward protecting your family and ensuring your wishes are carried out. But here’s a secret many people don’t realize: the strength of your trust isn’t just in the words written on paper. A trust is like the foundation of a house—it only works if […]