» Estate Planning

couple kisses after propose, woman is holding her hand out for the camera to see her ring. Ideas surrounding estate planning after remarriage

Estate Planning After Remarriage

July 29th, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
You may not be able to choose the family you are born into, but you can choose the family you build through marriage, partnership, and the life you create on your own terms. The traditional nuclear family is no longer the default, and biological fami… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Hiring an Attorney, Planning for Minor Children, Powers of Attorney, Property, Trusts, Wills
Magnifying glass over the word Life Insurance

What You Should Know about Life Insurance in Estate Planning

July 22nd, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
An estate plan may look perfect on paper—until your heirs need cash quickly. Life insurance can be a powerful tool for addressing that gap, providing funds precisely when they are needed most. When coordinated with the rest of your estate plan, it… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Hiring an Attorney, Planning for Minor Children, Property, Special Needs Law, Trusts, Wills
A focused individual in business casual attire sitting at a wooden desk, reviewing a will and legal documents to manage their executor rights and responsibilities next to binders labeled

Executor Rights & Responsibilities: How You Are Protected While Administering an Estate

July 15th, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
Being named executor of someone’s estate is often viewed as an honor. It means the person who created the will trusted you to handle their affairs and carry out their wishes after death. But successfully executing a will requires meticulous plannin… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Hiring an Attorney, Probate, Trusts, Wills
A flat-lay photograph of a teacher's desk during summer break. Bright natural sunlight, a warm cup of coffee, a laptop displaying financial charts, a notebook with a checklist that says

Estate Planning for Schoolteachers: How Your Benefits Come into Play

July 8th, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
Ah, summer break. It’s the hard-earned season where the school bells finally fall silent, the lesson planners are put away, and educators get a collective moment to breathe. But while summer is perfect for recharging, it’s also the ideal window t… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Wills
Drawn image representing th need to update an estate plan and common estate planning mistakes of an outdated plan

Seven Estate Planning Mistakes Most People Miss—and Seven Questions to Audit Your Family’s Future

July 1st, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
Think back to how your life was seven years ago. Your family, your finances, your relationships, and even the accounts you use have probably changed in ways both obvious and subtle. Seven years does not feel like a long time until you start making th… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning
Day planner with words crossed out, NOW written boldly in red

The Estate Planning Importance: The Risks of an Unfinished Estate Plan

June 24th, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
Planning for the future, especially your own mortality, is never easy. Even when you understand the importance of creating a will or trust to protect your loved ones, finding the motivation to complete an estate plan can be difficult. Yet an unfinish… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Guardianship, Health Care Surrogates, Hiring an Attorney, Living Will, Powers of Attorney, Probate, Trusts, Wills
Room full of seniors listening to a scammer talk about no taxes and free trusts over a steak dinner showing avoid estate planning scams

Estate Planning Scams: What Seniors Need to Know

June 17th, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
In our previous article, we explored actionable strategies for initiating the estate planning conversation with your parents, emphasizing the importance of early and open communication. However, opening the door to these discussions also means ensuri… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Hiring an Attorney, Probate, Property, Trusts, Wills
An adult daughter and her aging father having a supportive conversation on a living room sofa. A notepad, pen, and coffee mugs sit on the coffee table in front of them, capturing a gentle moment of family estate planning and discussion.

Talking to Aging Parents About Estate Planning

June 10th, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
Beyond the practical purpose of transferring assets and reducing taxes, an estate plan reflects love, responsibility, and values. That emotional heaviness may be part of why many families avoid the subject. Pew Research reports that only about 3 in 1… Read More
Categories: Burial Plans, Estate Planning, Health Care Surrogates, Hiring an Attorney, Powers of Attorney, Probate, Senior Issues
A close-up photograph capturing a high-quality, organized leather legacy binder and an adjacent wooden lockbox, resting on a clean mahogany desk. The scene is bathed in warm, soft, natural light, conveying a peaceful, structured atmosphere.

The “Death Box”: One Step That Can Make a Difficult Time Easier for Your Loved Ones

June 3rd, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
Losing a loved one is challenging enough without added complications. One way you can take some of the pain out of administering your estate is by preparing a death box, also called a death binder, next-of-kin box, or legacy folder. It serves as a ce… Read More
Categories: Burial Plans, Estate Planning, Living Will, Powers of Attorney, Property, Trusts, Wills
pot of greens cooking in a slow cooker to show pot trust

Pot Trusts Explained for Families

May 27th, 2026
Posted By
Jana R. McCreary
A pot trust (also called a “children’s trust”) is a way to hold money and property for a group of beneficiaries, usually children or other family members, in one shared trust. Instead of dividing everything into separate shares righ… Read More
Categories: Estate Planning, Planning for Minor Children, Probate, Trusts
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