estate planning

When Estate Planning Documents Say One Thing—and Mean Another

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When Estate Planning Documents Say One Thing—and Mean Another

Two recent conversations at Summit, one about blended family planning and one about trust language, highlight a challenge that shows up more often than attorneys might expect: clients and even attorneys sometimes read estate planning documents more literally than the drafters intended. This article explores how terms like “equal” and “irrevocable” can create real confusion and why helping clients understand how a plan actually functions matters just as much as how carefully it was drafted.

Declare Your Independence From Intestacy

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Declare Your Independence From Intestacy

Every Fourth of July, we celebrate the right to determine our own destiny. Yet many Americans leave some of life’s most important decisions to state intestacy laws by failing to create an Estate Plan. This Independence Day, learn why declaring your independence from intestacy may be one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave for the people you love.

That Would Never Happen: The Most Dangerous Words in Estate Planning

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That Would Never Happen The Most Dangerous Words in Estate Planning

One of the most common—and dangerous—phrases in Estate Planning is “that would never happen.” This article explores how assumptions about family dynamics, relationships, and behavior often lead to unintended conflict, litigation, and failed plans. By examining where these assumptions break down, both attorneys and families can build Estate Plans designed to withstand real-world challenges.

When Estate Planning Fails: Family Infighting and the $10 Billion Lakers Sale

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When Estate Planning Fails Family Infighting and the $10 Billion Lakers Sale

The recent $10 billion sale of the Los Angeles Lakers provides a powerful cautionary tale about Estate Planning, family conflict, and business succession. Despite a sophisticated Trust designed to keep ownership in the Buss family, structural flaws and sibling rivalries ultimately dismantled Jerry Buss’s legacy. This case illustrates why even well-drafted Estate Plans can fail when they ignore real-world dynamics. Learn the critical lessons every family business owner should consider before it’s too late.

Trustee Selection: Why It Matters and How to Get It Right

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Trustee Selection Why It Matters and How to Get It Right

Selecting a trustee is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—decisions in Estate Planning. While many individuals focus on who will receive their assets and how those assets will be distributed, far fewer consider the impact the Trustee will have on the management and distribution of those assets. This article explores why trustee selection matters, common pitfalls that lead to conflict and litigation, and how thoughtful planning can help preserve both family harmony and a lasting legacy.

Preparing for FinCEN Real Estate Reporting

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Preparing for FinCEN Real Estate Reporting

Although the Corporate Transparency Act’s Beneficial Ownership Information reports no longer apply to domestic entities due to their exemption, another FinCEN requirement is moving full steam ahead, and estate planning attorneys should not overlook it. Starting December 1, 2025, professionals involved in real estate closings and settlements will be required to submit reports to FinCEN for certain non-financed transfers of residential property to legal entities or trusts.

What Football and Estate Planning Have in Common

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What Football and Estate Planning Have in Common

I, like many Americans, love football. As I settled in to watch my team’s game this week, I wondered if I could turn it into a blog. As I watched, I realized, in fact, football and Estate Planning share many commonalities.