Sadly, most Americans are indifferent to estate planning – at best – or completely ignore the issue – at worst. When it comes to estate planning, however, there are just some mistakes that you and your loved ones cannot afford to have been made. Some mistakes involve ignoring common sense such that it would be
The New Year is here! Do you ever find, as we do, that the years tend to fly by the older we get? We know just how busy this year is already because it is for us, too. Between work and the holidays and getting the kids back in school, it feels like there is
The year 2018 has been no stranger to natural disasters. From multiple earthquakes, back-to-back hurricanes, and raging wildfires, the United States and abroad has suffered some serious natural disasters. These acts of nature can devastate your life and your family. Who knows what 2019 will bring. In addition to creating a disaster preparedness plan for
Many people think that if they die while they are married, everything they own automatically goes to their spouse or children. They’re actually thinking of state rules that apply if someone dies without leaving a will. In legal jargon, this is referred to as “intestate.” In that case, the specifics will vary depending on each
Estate planning is complex and continually evolving. Often, affluent families are “early adopters” of the newest and best estate planning strategies. Luckily, by working with us, you can benefit from the same estate planning strategies that affluent families do. Here are a few techniques we should discuss soon. 1) Maintain an up-to-date, trust-centered plan The
Many people who put together an estate plan do so when they start a family – assuming they put an estate plan together at all during their lifetime. While putting an estate plan together is a good thing to do, those that do make few updates once the plan has been created, despite other key
The holidays are an ideal time to reflect on who and what you are most grateful for in your life. While you are spending quality time with your loved ones this holiday season, we hope that you, like us, take this opportunity to share family traditions, important values, and have a discussion about the
The end of the year is fast approaching. As we all prepare for the holidays and the coming of 2019, it is important that we wrap up any loose strings. Before entering into the new year, here are some things that need to be on your end of year checklist: 1. Review Your Living
The holiday season is a time to enjoy friends, family, and loved ones. Often we consider our life circumstances and may get in the spirit of giving. This is particularly true if you are at a point in your life were you have enough from a financial standpoint. If you are planning on giving money
The recent passing of a few notable celebrities has shed some light on just how important comprehensive estate planning is for the protection of your estate and loved ones. Many of us know the singing legends, Aretha Franklin and Prince, but you may not have known that both of these superstars passed without a last
When it comes to caring for your child, we know ensuring your child’s needs are met is your highest priority. Sometimes, however, unexpected circumstances may arise that make this care an uphill battle. We know as parents ourselves that often these challenges come when we least expect them. As parents, we need to be as
When was the last time you reviewed your estate plan? Do you know if it will work when you need it to and be a treat for your loved ones to manage? Or is there a nasty trick lying in wait? Get our Estate Plan Checklist to give your plan a quick audit. It’s no
When was the last time you and your spouse discussed your estate planning? We know it is probably not on your list of “date night” conversations. In fact, many of our friends, family, and even professionals we work with tell us that once they create their estate plan, they consider it finalized and do not
There is nothing worse than learning your loved one has been diagnosed with a chronic condition or a life threatening disease. We know just how suddenly this can happen to a family and have seen many of our clients quickly overwhelmed by all that is involved in caring for a loved one or family
We know that it can be challenging to think about who will handle your assets if you become unable to do so yourself. Although this concern starts with your money, have you thought about how difficult it would be for your loved ones to make not only those important decisions on your behalf but