Although we would all like to believe that our family and loved ones will honor our wishes as expressed in our estate plan, contests are more common than you might think. Sometimes, a family member does not receive what they thought they would after a loved one passes away. To try to get what they think […]
When planning your next great travel adventure, you may decide that you can do it yourself. You know what you and your travel companions want to see and do, how much you are willing to pay, and the most convenient times to travel. While making travel arrangements may be okay to do yourself, you need to […]
No one wants to discuss death and dying. And yet, it’s a critical time in everyone’s life and one for which we know we need to prepare. While many people have the desire to share their wishes, something is preventing people from having end-of-life conversations with their families. As an important part of estate planning, healthcare decisions […]
Not only is Disney’s award-winning animated film Encanto hugely entertaining, it also contains the following valuable estate planning lessons: Leaving a family legacy is important and can have an impact beyond your immediate family. Be sure to consider the significance of multigenerational planning. Treating each beneficiary as a unique person is essential. Naming the “strongest” child […]
Summer is practically here for Americans, and with the arrival of early May, the start of graduation season is here as well! High school graduates can look forward to a few months of planning to head off into the adventure called college. But, between dreams of the future and stocking up on all those dorm room […]
There are so many things to think about when a loved one passes away. What to do with the prescription drugs (or other controlled substances) that are in your loved one’s medicine cabinet is not usually at the top of that list. Yet, to avoid running afoul of laws governing their disposal, it is important to […]
The American Dream envisions home ownership for everyone. And most of us save for this purchase with the thought of passing it on to our families one day. But questions about ownership and how it’s passed on are pretty common. Questions like, “If I give my home to my child in my will, can they take […]
What a busy few years it’s been for the entertainment industry and the probate courts of California! We are, of course, referring to the recent lifting of conservatorships from such stars as Britney Spears and now Amanda Bynes. In 2021, Britney Spear’s conservatorship ended after thirteen years and a massive online campaign. Now earlier this month, […]
With couples of similar ages, planning for the future is naturally a joint effort. However, if your marriage has a sizeable age gap, meaning you are married to someone who is significantly older or younger than you, the future can look different and mean different things to each of you. To protect yourself, your spouse, and […]
OK, great! The first step is always the hardest, but you’ve finally decided it’s time to meet with an estate planning attorney and get your affairs in order. It’s time to make sure your family is protected. Now that you’ve scheduled your initial meeting, what’s the next step? You can do one of two things: (1) Simply […]
