Category: Estate Planning

  While many proactive individuals understand the importance of having a comprehensive estate plan, they often assume that their plan addresses only what happens after they pass away. However, a comprehensive estate plan is also meant to positively impact your life by planning for and providing necessary protections while you are still around to reap the benefits. Planning […]

More couples than ever are building deep, lasting relationships without ever walking down the aisle. Whether by choice, circumstance, or principle, many Americans are opting out of marriage—but not out of commitment. Data indicate that cultural norms regarding marriage in the United States have undergone significant shifts over the past several decades. Consider the following: The number of […]

Creating an estate plan is a huge accomplishment. However, your work is not done when the documents have been signed. You must still ensure that the chosen strategy gives you peace of mind and protects the legacy you have worked so hard to build. An estate plan is not static; it is a living tool that should evolve […]

Your estate plan is one of the most important sets of legal tools you will ever create. An estate plan is designed to protect you, your loved ones, and your money and property. It can minimize taxes and fees and ensure that your loved ones are taken care of. Depending on the estate planning tools you use, it […]

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 […]