Estate Planning text on white paper on black folder

Aaron Carter: A Life Gone Too Soon

Musician Aaron Carter, a former child pop star and younger brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, died last November at the age of thirty-four. Aaron’s untimely passing is one of the more tragic celebrity deaths of 2022. It is also one of t… Read More
Categories: Guardianship, Probate
conflict among 2 people

Why the Knives May Come Out at Death

The box office success of the 2019 murder mystery Knives Out led to franchise status, with Glass Onion, the first sequel, released in late 2022. The original Knives Out featured whodunit intrigue surrounding the murder of a wealthy author and surpris… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Wills
yellow road sign that reads

Ways You Can Revoke a Will

A will (which should be accompanied by other important documents such as healthcare and financial powers of attorney, as well as an advance healthcare directive) is a foundational estate planning document. However, according to Gallup, only 46 percen… Read More
Categories: Probate, Wills
Magnifying glass with question mark in focus on wooden cube

Have You Chosen the Right Trustee?

Whether you are reviewing your existing trust or creating a new one, you should understand the important role that a trustee plays not only in handling trust matters but also in providing for and protecting your loved ones. What is a trust? A trust i… Read More
Happy young child holding a lot of cash and a piggy bank

Want to Leave Your Retirement Account to Your Minor Child? Consider These Things First

Your retirement account may be one of the most valuable things you own. Many people consider naming their children as the beneficiaries of these accounts because they think it is a way of easily transferring their wealth if something happens to them.… Read More
Family Tree For Several Generations

Estate Planning Issues for the Modern Family

As the name suggests, ABC’s TV show Modern Family depicts the relationships and experiences between a fictional extended family. Throughout the course of the series, the show addresses many issues that families deal with each day. For a close-knit… Read More
pros cons list in a notebook and man hand with red marker writing considering pros and cons of probate

The Pros and Cons of Probate

In estate planning circles, the word probate often carries a negative connotation. Indeed, for many people—especially those with valuable accounts and property—financial planners and others recommend trying to keep accounts and property out of pr… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Probate
Child with travel suitcase on vacation ready for adventure.

Your Travel Planning Team for Your Next Adventure

When planning your next great travel adventure, you may decide that you can do it yourself. You know what you and your travel companions want to see and do, how much you are willing to pay, and the most convenient times to travel. While making travel… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
Importance of Recording a Deed

What Is the Effect of an Unrecorded Deed?

A deed is a legal document used to transfer real property ownership rights from one person or entity (the grantor) to another (the grantee). In many cases, this transfer occurs due to the property being sold, with the seller transferring the property… Read More
Categories: Miscellaneous, Property
Red Flags When Hiring a P…

Red Flags When Hiring a Professional To Be Your Trustee

When you form a trust as part of your estate plan, one of the most important decisions you will make is who will oversee the trust’s management when you are no longer able to manage it (also known as your successor trustee). Because a trustee’s w… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Trusts