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Creating an estate plan is a crucial task for any adult, but it is not a one-and-done task. Think of it as an annual physical exam or a periodic review of your investments with your financial advisor; regular checkups of your estate plan are essential to ensuring that it still fits your life and evolving circumstances and will […]

Since creating your estate plan, have you thought about updating it? If you are like most people, probably not. However, the carefully thought-out plan you created years ago may not meet your current goals or family circumstances. To put things in perspective, consider a family that may sound similar to yours. Meet the Kendricks Bill and Karen Kendrick […]

The United States imposes a federal estate tax at death, which is based on the total value of the deceased person’s estate (everything a person owns at the time of their death) and is paid from the estate itself. In addition to the federal estate tax, some states assess their own taxes at death. One is a state-level […]

Joining the military often sets individuals on a path that is distinctly different from pursuing higher education or entering the civilian workforce. Every year around Veterans Day, we honor the sacrifices of those who have served our country. However, we do not always pause to consider the unique experiences and challenges Veterans face when their military service ends, […]

  Estate planning can be complicated enough when all your assets (accounts and property) 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. Different countries have different rules about who inherits, how much they […]

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 best-known homestead […]

  Parents generally try to treat all their children fairly. We often assume that fairness means leaving an equal inheritance to each child. However, “fair” does not always mean “equal.” A thoughtful estate plan considers each child’s unique circumstances to create distributions that truly support their needs. Here are some situations where unequal but fair distributions might be […]

 Have you just welcomed a baby to the family? Protecting your newborn goes beyond car seats and babyproofing. Ensure that your child is protected no matter what life brings by creating an estate plan. Establishing an estate plan is one to-do task that many people put off. They may delay this very important task due to lack of […]

How to Leave Assets to Minor Children You love your children and want to ensure that they are always taken care of. The desire to provide for them may also be shared by their grandparents, aunts, and uncles. However, when leaving money and property to minor children, even the best intentions can lead to big problems. Common mistakes […]

It is a topic no parent wants to think about: What would happen to your children if you were gone? However, facing this question is one of the most loving and powerful things you can do for your kids. If you take no steps to legally nominate a guardian for your minor children, a judge who does not […]