Do-it-yourself Wills and Trusts are all over the internet, with promises of saving you money and protecting your loved ones after you’re gone. But don’t be fooled! They’re often way more trouble than they’re worth.

This week we look at a real-life cautionary tale about what can happen in any blended family when the parents leave decisions about their children’s care and inheritance up to their surviving spouse and the state’s laws.

Whether it’s a breakup, divorce, or the death of a loved one, every relationship eventually comes to an end. Whether you have planned for that ending or not will have a real impact on you, your partner, and your assets.

As your parents navigate their golden years, ensuring their peace of mind (and yours!) becomes a top priority. To make sure your parents can always get the help they need, make sure they have these 3 documents in place right now.

Many assume that in the event of their untimely passing, their children will automatically be cared for and inherit their assets. However, the reality is far more complex and potentially unsettling.

Let's unpack why relying on assumptions alone could leave your children's future in uncertain hands.

Recent advances in digital technology have made many aspects of our lives exponentially easier and more convenient. But at the same time, digital technology has also created some serious complications when it comes to estate planning. In fact, if you haven’t properly addressed your digital assets in your estate plan, there’s a good chance that most of those assets will be lost forever when you die.

Recent advances in digital technology have made many aspects of our lives exponentially easier and more convenient. But at the same time, digital technology has also created some serious complications when it comes to estate planning. In fact, if you haven’t properly addressed your digital assets in your estate plan, there’s a good chance that most of those assets will be lost forever when you die.

In this blog, we'll explore why adding your partner to your Will and estate plan isn’t just a romantic gesture but the ultimate act of love.

Want to contribute to your grandchild’s future college education? Changes to the FAFSA rules now make it easier than ever.

You are likely well aware of the tax benefits that come from donating to charity during your lifetime—donations to charity are tax-deductible. But you may be surprised to learn about the numerous benefits that are available when you incorporate charitable giving into your estate plan.

In our view, a primary goal of estate planning is to keep your family out of court and out of conflict no matter what happens to you. Yet with only a will in place, your plan can fall woefully short of that goal, leaving your loved ones—and yourself, if you become incapacitated—susceptible to getting stuck in an unnecessary, expensive, time-consuming, and public court process. Learn why having just a will is not enough…

Discover the often-overlooked but crucial world of incapacity planning in estate management.

This week, I explain how the law affects retirement distributions for married couples, and why you need to be extra careful with your retirement planning if you’re part of a blended family.

Although it might seem foolproof to leave your pet to someone you trust through your Will, this estate planning tool alone won’t work to protect your pet from an uncertain future. Read more to learn why a Will is not the best planning tool for your pet and what you should do instead to ensure your furry, feathered, or scaly friends are cared for no matter what.