Category: Estate Planning

  Retreating to a warmer climate for the winter may sound like an ideal way to spend a few months. To help make this dream a reality, some individuals choose to rent out their second homes when they are not in use. Before listing your property for rent, however, consider the financial, legal, tax, insurance, and practical responsibilities […]

  For many snowbirds, cooler weather means it is time to head south. If you are thinking about heading for warmer weather this winter, there are a few things you should consider before hitting the road.  Which state do you consider your home?  If you split your time between two states, it is important to understand the distinction […]

  As adults, we rarely face a multiple-choice exam or a pop quiz. The tests that come our way tend to be real-life ones: moments that reveal how prepared we actually are for the unexpected. That is how your estate plan is supposed to work. The true test of your plan does not arrive in your attorney’s office […]

  A parent dies, and something about the paperwork does not sit right—a will changed late in life, a trustee who has gone quiet, a caregiver who ended up with more than anyone expected. Family members face a choice: Let it go or take the fight to court. Before choosing either path, families should understand what estate litigation […]

When a child is preparing to leave for college, both the student and the parent may face a period of uncertainty. For many students, college is their first experience living independently. That independence extends beyond just living away from home. It may include having new financial accounts, credit cards, electronic devices, school portals, and online services outside the […]

If you want to donate your organs when you die, you have to think about exactly what you want, legally document your wishes, and communicate them to loved ones who will carry them out. Organ donation is one of the most regulated aspects of the healthcare industry, with unique legal considerations. Nearly every state has adopted some version […]

“That’s not fair!” is a common child’s refrain as they advocate for themselves or express what they feel to be unjust. This pursuit of fairness, however, often follows families into adulthood, and it can resurface with real consequences when an estate plan is on the table. Ideas about fairness often influence family dynamics and may continue when accounts […]

If you are single, choosing the people who will serve in your estate plan is far more than a formality. It is one of the most consequential planning decisions you will make. Married individuals often rely on a spouse to act during an emergency, manage financial or healthcare decisions, and handle practical matters after death. Single individuals do […]

  A comprehensive estate plan does more than direct who will receive your money and property after your death. It also provides instructions for managing your affairs during your lifetime and identifies the people who will act for you if you are unable to act for yourself. An effective plan generally does the following:   Outlines your wishes […]

  If cash is king and credit is queen, digital rewards points may just be the wildcard of your household finances. While cash represents immediate purchasing power and credit offers leveraged liquidity, rewards points function as a flexible currency that can supplement spending. But unlike cash and credit, they vanish when you die. Most people do not include […]