» Property

disinheriting sister shown as a difficult position by person walking on a tightrope

When Your Parent Plans to Disinherit Your Sibling

Your parent has made the difficult decision of disinheriting your sibling from their estate plan. While this decision will undoubtedly land heavily on your sibling, the decision also places you in a complicated position. As the child who was not cut… Read More
Protecting a Home

Why Real Estate Title Matters in Estate Planning

Real estate can be owned in several different ways. The form of ownership, or how your real estate is titled, can determine how much control you have over it, how vulnerable your property is to creditor claims and lawsuits, and what will happen to it… Read More
Important vector stamp

How to Own Your Real Estate

Your real estate encompasses not only your primary residence but also any vacation homes, rental properties, or even vacant land you may own. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of property and your individual circumstances. Your… Read More
Estate Planning on a sticky note near calculator and reading glasses

The Hidden Gender Gap in Estate Planning—and How to Close It

You have probably heard of the gender pay gap. But there is also another common disparity: the estate planning gender gap. Although the two are interrelated to some extent—earning less than men puts women on an unequal path to investment and retire… Read More
Deed To A House

Caution: Using a Do-it-Yourself Deed to Avoid Probate Can Lead to Costly Unintended Consequences

One goal of estate planning is to ensure that your assets, including your home, pass to your chosen beneficiaries quickly and with minimal expense. In real estate, a common strategy to avoid probate (the court process of validating a will and distrib… Read More
Pearl necklace, class ring, embroidered hankerchief

Estate Planning for Heirlooms: A Guide to Distributing Sentimental Items

Personal items accumulated over our lifetimes may be left in estate planning limbo when we pass away. You may have kept many personal effects and everyday items more for sentimental reasons than for financial value, such as your clothing, jewelry, bo… Read More
Notebook with Inheritance written on the front, image of car, home and family in wood cut out

Why Receiving an Inheritance Changes Your Estate Plan

Receiving an inheritance can be a meaningful and transformative experience, but it can also create challenges if not handled thoughtfully. Without a clear plan, an inheritor may struggle to manage newly acquired assets, face creditor or tax issues, o… Read More
Retirement Travel. Senior couple dancing on the beach happy and relaxed. Time to update estate plan.

Why Retirement Is the Right Time to Revisit Your Estate Plan

Retirement can mean many different things to different people. For some, it opens up a new world of travel, experiences, and creative pursuits. For others, it may herald quiet days at home with a good book, a steaming mug of tea or coffee, and no oth… Read More
Photo of two fingers of a loving couple as unmarried partners

Committed, Protected, Prepared: Estate Planning Tips for Unmarried Couples

More couples than ever are building deep, lasting relationships without ever walking down the aisle and staying as an unmarried couple. Whether by choice, circumstance, or principle, many Americans are opting out of marriage—but not out of commitme… Read More
Joint Tenancy Agreement being signed

Parental Warning: If You Own Your Property This Way, You May Accidentally Disinherit Your Own Children

Do you own your home, other property, or a financial account with someone else, such as a spouse or an adult child? If so, you might be surprised to learn that a common way of owning property could cause problems for your loved ones in the future. Jo… Read More