» Estate Planning

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Estate Planning Is About Knowing Your Priorities

Thinking about the world and how our loved ones will fare after we pass away can be very difficult. Although we all know that we will pass away at some point, this is not something most people like to dwell on. However, by proactively planning and pr… Read More
Woman and child at graveyard

Wrongful Death and Probate

Wrongful death lawsuits and probate proceedings are both civil legal matters that occur after somebody has died. When the death of a loved one is caused by another individual or entity, it can lead to the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit and, ultim… Read More
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Is it time to Update Your Estate Plan?

Having an estate plan is a great way to ensure you and your loved ones are protected today and in the future. When creating an estate plan, we look at what is going on in your life at that time. But because life is full of changes, it is important to… Read More
Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Health Care Power of Attorney documents on a desk

What You Can Learn from the Leno Conservatorship Proceedings

When most people think about creating an estate plan, they usually focus on what will happen when they die. They typically do not consider what their wishes would be if they were alive but unable to manage their own affairs (in other words, if they a… Read More
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What Happens to An Adult Child Living at Home When Their Parents Pass Away?

Today more young adult children are living at home with their parents than at any time since the 1940s. While there are many different opinions about this trend and the cause of its recent prevalence, the primary motivation for young adults staying a… Read More
Piggy bank in child's hands, inside parent's hands - protecting investments

What Can I Not Do as Trustmaker and Trustee of a Revocable Living Trust?

Wills and living trusts are two of the most fundamental estate planning documents. While both accomplish the same primary objective in an estate plan of directing the distributions of your money and property to your desired beneficiaries after you pa… Read More
Tough Decisions Ahead Road Sign

Passing the Torch: Smart Business Succession Strategies

For many business owners, their business is one of the most valuable and important things they own. When it is time to sit down and create an estate plan, it is critical that business owners plan for their business just as they would plan for their h… Read More
special needs trust on clipboard

Who Should Be the Trustee of a Third-Party Special Needs Trust (SNT)?

Family members with special needs may require assistance throughout their lives. If you want to ensure that a loved one with a disability is taken care of after you are gone, you can help manage resources for them by using a third-party special needs… Read More
Probate Word on Scrabble tiles, with a gavel, watch, money in picture

Do I Have to File a Will with the Court?

Death is a personal and private affair that affects the deceased’s close family and friends. However, there is at least one aspect of death that may require state oversight: probate. Probate with a will is usually much more straightforward than wit… Read More
Image shows an advanced directive, stethoscope, magnifier and a pencil

What to Do When Incapacity Throws Your Estate Plan into Chaos

As poet Robert Burns mused centuries ago, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Despite thoughtful effort and a concerted strategy, you cannot prepare for every emergency in life. A car accident, sudden illness, workplace injury, or chro… Read More