Archive for January 2026

As a professional advisor, you often have a front-row seat to your clients’ lives. You see the transitions: Yet one thing often stays frozen in time: the estate plan. And that disconnect is one of the most common sources of future disputes—even among families who once planned thoughtfully. Estate Plans Are Created at One Moment…

Most families don’t realize there’s a problem with their estate plan until the moment it has to work. A loved one passes away.Documents are pulled out.And someone asks a question that stops everything cold: “Why isn’t this asset in the trust?” This is one of the most common—and costly—estate planning mistakes we see: an unfunded…

You planned ahead.You signed the documents.You followed the advice. So why—when the plan is finally being used—does everything feel confusing, emotional, and far more complicated than expected? This is one of the most common—and most painful—questions families ask when estate planning moves from paper into real life. The truth is this: even the best planning…

Many families believe that creating a solid estate plan guarantees their loved ones will never have to step into a courtroom. While thoughtful planning dramatically reduces the likelihood of conflict, the reality is this: Even good planning doesn’t always prevent court involvement. Court becomes necessary not because a plan failed—but because people, roles, and emotions…

Many families take comfort in knowing they “have a trust.” It feels like a box checked—an important milestone accomplished. And it is an important step. But here’s the hard truth we see far too often: Having a trust does not automatically mean you have a plan that actually works. A trust is a tool. A…