One of the most common misconceptions related to estate planning is the idea that trusts are only for the wealthy. A lot of people think that a will is the only logical choice for most of us, but this is not the case at all. Let’s look at five compelling reasons to use a trust … Read more
Remarrying later in life can be a joyful new beginning, but it also brings unique challenges when it comes to your legacy. If you have children from a prior marriage and significant assets, you may wonder how to provide for your new spouse without unintentionally disinheriting your children. Effective remarriage estate planning helps you protect … Read more
There are many tools in the estate planning toolkit, and targeted solutions can be implemented to address specific circumstances. With this in mind, let’s look at some of the trusts that can be used to respond to common challenges. Spendthrift Trust Not everyone is prepared to handle a sudden inheritance. A spendthrift trust gives you … Read more
Although many Estate Plans have a Revocable Trust as the foundation for the plan, Wills play an important role in a comprehensive Estate Plan. Alarmingly, most Americans don’t have a Will even though they know it’s important. As National Make a Will month comes to a close, let’s explore the often overlooked and neglected Estate Planning document, the Will.
If you live in Texas and own a vacation home in another state, your estate plan may not be as complete as you think. Even if you already have a will, that out-of-state property could trigger an unexpected complication for your family. Without the right structure in place, they may have to go through ancillary … Read more
When you think about inheritance planning, you probably picture documents like wills and trusts. While these are important, they only represent part of the picture. Effective estate planning requires attention to small but vital details that can protect your family from confusion, conflict, and costly delays. An estate plan that works in real life includes … Read more
Jimmy Buffett’s brand of music inspired a way of life dedicated to relaxing. A trip to Key West, Florida embodies everything Jimmy held dear and serves as the backdrop to many of his songs. More than one city hosts a restaurant titled after his hit song, “Margaritaville.” While Buffett appeared to live a carefree lifestyle full of fun, his 2023 death alerted us that his passing left some issues unresolved.
While summer gives us pools, barbecues, and a break from the usual grind, it also provides an opportunity to undertake some necessary Estate Planning, especially for young adults heading off to college.
The grief of putting my dog down got me wondering about how animals process grief and how much harder it may be for them since they lack the ability to put their feelings into words the way that humans can. Thus, the idea for this blog focusing on options for pets upon the death of their owners was born.
When one child occupies a position of trust with a parent to the exclusion of other siblings, that causes friction. Extending that position of power after death exacerbates that friction and may cause irreparable harm. It seems that happened upon the death of beloved singer, Tony Bennett. His daughters have sued their brother on two different occasions leveling some unflattering allegations.