Four Years Later: A Case Study in What Happens Without Proper Estate Planning
When you die without a solid plan, you don’t just leave behind grief. You leave behind years of court battles, creditor claims, and paperwork that can drain everything you worked to build, and hand it to a young adult who has no idea where to start. This is exactly what happened to Anne Heche’s family. […]
Gen X Is Approaching Retirement—But Many Are Missing a Critical Piece
As Generation X approaches retirement, many remain without a comprehensive estate plan. This USA Today article explores the risks—and why proactive planning matters.
Here’s What Happens to Your Retirement Accounts After You Die
Retirement accounts follow different rules from other assets you may own. After you die, the people you love most may face unexpected tax burdens if you don’t understand how the rules work. Read more… Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs often represent the single largest category of wealth for American families. According to recent data, […]
Trusts in a Will vs. Living Trusts: What You Should Know (Part 2)
A living trust offers immediate protection and probate avoidance, but understanding how it works and whether it fits your goals is essential to making the right choice. Read more…
Trusts in a Will vs. Living Trusts: What You Should Know (Part 1)
Creating a trust in your will might sound like good planning, but understanding what you’re actually trying to accomplish matters more than the type of trust you choose. Read more…
Why a “Quick and Simple” Estate Plan Review Is a Myth
If your estate plan is years old, or you did it yourself, you may call an attorney asking for a quick, low-cost review of your estate planning documents, thinking it’s a quick and easy process. The reality is that an estate plan review is (or should be) more complicated than most people think. Read more…
Protecting Your Legacy: Why Life & Legacy Planning Matters for Black Families
Black History Month reminds us that building generational wealth requires more than hard work. It demands intentional planning to protect what you’ve built. Read more…
Why Reviewing Your Trust Regularly Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential
Many people believe that once they’ve created a trust, they can simply file it away and forget about it. But just like your health needs regular check-ups, your whole estate plan (including your trust) requires periodic reviews to ensure that it will work for your loved ones and not fail when they need it.
10 Guardian Mistakes That Could Put Your Kids at Risk (And How to Do It Right)
Naming guardians in your will isn’t enough to fully protect your children if something happens to you. Discover the 10 most common guardianship mistakes parents make and how a comprehensive Kids Protection Plan® can provide complete peace of mind.
What You Need to Know About Trusts & Homeowner’s Insurance
Putting your home in a trust is a smart estate-planning move, but it can create unexpected insurance complications if not handled correctly. Learn how to protect one of your most valuable assets by properly aligning your homeowner’s insurance with your trust.