Archive for December 2025
Beginning, Gently
The countdown is over. The resolutions are already being reconsidered. The inbox is back. Life resumes — not with a dramatic restart, but with a slow, imperfect re-entry. We’ve been thinking about how honest that feels. January has a way of arriving with expectations attached. That we should feel refreshed, focused, and ready to charge…
Read MoreWhy Estate Plan Alignment Belongs in Q1
The first quarter of the year is when advisory work sets the tone for everything that follows. Financial plans are being reviewed. Tax strategies are coming into focus. Clients are thinking clearly about priorities, goals, and responsibilities. And yet, estate planning is often left out of these early conversations—despite being one of the most important…
Read MoreQuiet Estate Planning Triggers in January
The start of a new year brings a noticeable shift in client conversations. January is less about urgency and more about recalibration. Clients aren’t reacting to a crisis—they’re taking stock. And in that reflective space, estate planning needs often surface quietly, woven into conversations about goals, family, and responsibility. Advisors who recognize these moments early…
Read MoreWhat Estate Planning Is (and Isn’t)
Estate planning is one of those topics many people know they should understand—but aren’t quite sure where to begin. It’s rarely a matter of importance. Most people recognize that planning ahead matters. The hesitation usually comes from uncertainty: uncertainty about what estate planning actually covers, whether it applies to their life yet, and what starting…
Read MoreThe Estate Planning Questions January Brings
The start of a new year often brings a moment to pause and reflect. The holidays are behind us. The calendar has turned. And while life will soon pick up speed again, there’s usually a brief window in January where things feel quieter—more open to thought. In that space, many people notice questions rising to…
Read MoreWhat January Reveals About Your Estate Plan
The holidays have a way of revealing things we don’t always notice during the rest of the year. Family dynamics come into sharper focus. Responsibilities surface. Conversations happen—or don’t. And once the season winds down, many people are left with a quiet realization that some things deserve another look. Often, that realization has less to…
Read MoreA New Year Check-In for Your Estate Plan
The start of a new year often invites a sense of renewal—but when it comes to estate planning, January isn’t about starting over. It’s about checking in. Most families don’t need a brand-new plan each year. What they do need is reassurance that the plan they already have still fits the life they’re living today.…
Read MoreTrustee Risk Factors Advisors Should Watch For
Professional advisors—especially those serving as trustees or working closely with trustees—play a central role in ensuring a trust is administered correctly. But with increased scrutiny, evolving financial rules, and more complex family situations, advisors must be prepared to identify early warning signs that could lead to litigation. Where Professional Trustees Face the Highest Risk Some…
Read MoreHow Advisors Can Identify Early Signs of Trust Disputes
Advisors often see conflict forming long before attorneys do. You hear the frustration, the misunderstandings, the sibling tensions, and the subtle clues that something feels “off.” Because you’re close to the client and their family, you can play a critical role in preventing trust disputes before they escalate. Advisors Sit at the Intersection of Family,…
Read MoreWhat to Do if You Suspect Trustee Mismanagement
Trustees hold significant authority, and while most take their duties seriously, there are situations where mistakes—or misconduct—occur. Beneficiaries may not always recognize the early signs of mismanagement, and many hesitate to voice concerns because they “don’t want to cause conflict.” But addressing concerns early can protect the trust and prevent deeper issues. Early Warning Signs…
Read MoreHow to Prevent Trust Disputes Early
One of the most effective ways to prevent future trust disputes is through intentional, open communication before a crisis ever arises. Families often avoid discussing the estate plan because the topics feel uncomfortable. But when conversations never happen, misunderstandings grow—and those misunderstandings often show up as disputes during trust administration. Why Clear Communication Protects Families…
Read MoreIs Your Trustee Keeping You Informed?
One of the most common sources of trust conflict is poor communication. Beneficiaries want updates, clarity, and timelines—but trustees often feel overwhelmed and unsure of how much they are required to share. When communication breaks down, suspicion grows, families become divided, and the administration slows down. What Good Trustee Communication Looks Like A healthy trust…
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Beneficiary Rights
Beneficiaries are often left in the dark about what they should be receiving, when communication is expected, and how long trust administration should take. Many feel unsure about what they’re allowed to ask, or whether speaking up will create tension with the trustee. As we move into 2026, understanding your rights as a beneficiary is…
Read MoreWhen the Magic Changes
This Christmas felt a little different in our house. The kids are growing up. The magic looks different now. The wide-eyed belief, the early-morning excitement, the sense that something extraordinary was just around the corner — it’s changing. And with that comes the quiet realization that time is, in fact, moving forward… whether we’re ready…
Read MoreFor the Tired, the Busy, and the Hopeful
This week has been one of those weeks that feels full in every sense of the word. Full calendars. Full inboxes. Full days that start early and stretch long. And underneath all of it, a familiar tiredness—the kind that doesn’t just come from work, but from carrying a lot all at once. Because exhaustion looks…
Read MoreServing as a Professional Trustee? Key Issues to Watch For
Serving as a professional trustee involves far more than managing investments or maintaining records. Families, beneficiaries, and the law all expect professional trustees to provide structure, neutrality, and sound judgment throughout the trust administration process. As estates grow more complex and 2026 brings evolving financial, tax, and regulatory considerations, the role of the professional trustee…
Read MoreHelping Clients Navigate Trust Administration Smoothly in 2026
When a client passes away or becomes incapacitated, financial advisors often become the steady anchor during a highly emotional and complex time. You typically understand the client’s full financial picture better than anyone else—their accounts, investment strategy, planning history, risk tolerance, and long-term goals. This deep insight places advisors in a critical role during trust…
Read MoreFrom Panic to Relief: The SUPER Heggstad Way
One of the most stressful and unexpected discoveries during trust administration is realizing that a loved one created a trust—but didn’t transfer all of their assets into it. This situation is far more common than most families realize. Assets are often left outside the trust when someone refinances real estate, opens new bank or investment…
Read MoreA Practical Guide to Beginning Trust Administration
The days and weeks after a loved one passes away can feel overwhelming. While you’re processing grief, you may suddenly be faced with unfamiliar legal and financial responsibilities. If your loved one had a trust, you may know you’ve been named trustee—or suspect that you will be—but feel unsure about what you’re supposed to do…
Read MoreHow to Protect Yourself from Liability as a Trustee
When someone names you as a trustee, they’re saying they trust you with something meaningful: their legacy, their family, and their financial life. It’s an honor, but it also comes with significant responsibility. Trustees are expected to manage assets, communicate with beneficiaries, follow legal requirements, and carry out the instructions of the trust faithfully. It’s…
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