Your home is likely one of your most valuable assets, if not the most valuable one you own. Calling it an asset can feel cold. A home is more than materials and possessions. It’s where we live, gather, create stories, and share lasting memories. But legally, your home is a combination of property types and […]
Estate planning can be complicated enough when all your assets and loved ones are located within one country. But for US residents with international connections, whether through property, citizenship, residency, business interests, or loved ones living abroad, it can become significantly more complex with international inheritance laws. Different countries have different rules about who inherits, […]
Have you just welcomed a new baby to your family? Protecting your newborn means more than car seats and babyproofing. Creating an estate plan to protect your child no matter what life brings is an often overlooked, but important step to complete. Many people delay establishing an estate plan. They delay due to lack of […]
Parents generally try to treat all their children fairly. We often assume that fairness means leaving an equal inheritance to each child. However, when it comes to an estate plan “fair” does not always mean “equal.” A thoughtful estate plan considers each child’s unique circumstances to create distributions that truly support their needs. Situations of […]
The term homestead may seem like a throwback to pioneer days, but homestead exemption laws are directly relevant to today’s estate planning and can play a valuable role in a modern plan. Almost every state has some form of homestead exemption law primarily focused on reducing property taxes and protecting home equity from creditors. While the […]
Do you own your home, other property, or a financial account with someone else, like a spouse, adult child, or someone not related to you by blood or marriage? If so, you might be surprised that a common way of owning property could create future problems for your loved ones. There are several forms of […]
Whether a loved one’s passing was expected, due to prolonged illness, or it happens unexpectedly, their passing is always a shock, often leaving behind questions of “what now?” among the survivors. If you have been named the person responsible for managing a loved one’s affairs, after there death, commonly called an executor or administrator (if your […]
A foster child may enter your life through the court system, an agency, or your extended family. No matter how it starts, the relationship can become deeply personal, with a strong feeling the child is yours. However, the law does not always see the relationship this way for inheritance purposes. If you die without estate […]
By and large, estate plans are typically private matters that not something everyone in your life needs to know in detail. The decisions about whom to trust with decision-making power and how you plan to distribute your wealth is your business. For married couples, they will naturally know the details of plans they created together. […]
Estate planning often feels complex, leading many people to rely on common misconceptions that can have devastating consequences for their loved ones and their legacy. From who can make decisions for you to whether you need an estate plan, common myths can stand between you and a secure future. Let’s debunk these widespread misconceptions and […]
