PFL® Updates: Big things are happening at our blog, get the insight you and your family need...

Resources

BECOME A PFL® FIRM

FIND YOUR PFL® FIRM

PERSONAL
FAMILY LAWYER®

Find a PFL® Firm

Resources

Honoring Your Sacrifice: Estate Planning Essentials for Military Families

Each year on November 11, the nation pauses to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who’ve served in ...

Discover Practical Planning Solutions

Latest Articles

There is no shortage of advice flying around about estate planning, much of it from people who aren't even lawyers. Get insight on the popular pitfalls and how emerging economic shifts like cryptocurrency can affect your plan.

Estate Planning Mistakes Revealed by Anne Heche’s Death | PFL®

Actress Anne Heche died this August following a tragic car accident in which she plowed her vehicle into ...

How To Choose the Right Trustee

Before we talk about how to choose the right Trustee, let’s talk about what a Trustee does and whether yo...

President Biden’s Student Debt Relief Plan Explained With FAQs

This August, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced...

Avoid Capital Gains Tax with a Charitable Remainder Trust | PFL®

If you have a sale of real estate or assets coming up that will result in you owing capital gains tax, yo...

Protect Your Aging Loved Ones From Undue Influence

Following the death of a loved one, close family members are sometimes surprised to learn that they didn’...

Q&A: Can I tap into my retirement savings to pay for my child’s college education?

Q & A: QUESTION ______________________________________________________________________________ Q: Can...

What Your Last Will & Testament Will (And Will Not) Do—Part 2

August is “National Make-A-Will Month,” and if you have already prepared your will, congratulations—too f...

What Your Last Will & Testament Will (And Will Not) Do—Part 1

August is “National Make-A-Will Month,” and if you have already prepared your will, congratulations—too f...

Saving For Your Child’s College Education—Part 2

If you have started to save for your child or grandchild’s college education, it’s worth considering whet...

Saving For Your Child’s College Education—Part 1

If you have started to save for your child or grandchild’s college education, it’s worth considering whet...

Q&A: What is the “contestability period'' on a life insurance policy?

Q & A: QUESTION ______________________________________________________________________________ Q: Wha...

4 Essential Strategies For Protecting Your Family's Assets

You might think that only the super wealthy need to worry about asset protection planning. But the truth ...

How Estate Planning Can Reduce The High Cost Of Dying—Part 2

Despite the fact that it happens to every single one of us and is as every bit as natural as birth, very ...

How Estate Planning Can Reduce The High Cost Of Dying—Part 1

Despite the fact that it happens to every single one of us and is as every bit as natural as birth, very ...

5 Common Estate Planning Concerns For Your Second (Or More) Marriage

With divorce occurring in roughly 50% of all marriages in the U.S. and life expectancy increasing every d...

What You Need to Know About Collecting Life Insurance Proceed | PFL®

If you're looking to collect life insurance proceeds as the policy’s beneficiary, the process is fairly s...

Q&A Should the person I pick as my trustee have a background in law or finance?

Q & A: QUESTION ______________________________________________________________________________ Q: Sho...

Estate Planning FAQs For LGBTQ+ Couples

As we are about to wrap up another Pride Month, the LGBTQ+ community faces an increasingly uncertain lega...

3 Reasons Why Single Folks With No Children Need An Estate Plan | PFL®

These days, more and more young people are delaying—if not totally foregoing—a life that involves marriag...

If You’ve Been Asked To Serve As Trustee, Here’s What You Should Know

If a family member or friend has asked you to serve as trustee for their trust either during their life, ...

Estate Planning for Family Heirlooms & Keepsakes | PFL

When creating an estate plan, people are often most concerned with passing on the “big things” like real ...

Don't Let Your Kids Leave Home Without Signing These 3 Document

As we head into summer, many parents will see their children graduate high school and prepare to leave ho...

Q&A What is the IRS’s “Rule of 55” for 401(k) plans?

Q & A: QUESTION Q: What is the IRS’s “Rule of 55” for 401(k) plans? -Ready to Retire ANSWER Dear Read...

Key Milestones For Planning Your Retirement

The road to retirement is a long one, and as with any journey, it helps to have a few key milestones alon...

10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes Your Family Can’t Afford to Make—Part 2

Because estate planning involves actively thinking about and planning for frightening topics like death, ...

10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes Your Family Can’t Afford to Make—Part 1

Because estate planning involves actively thinking about and planning for frightening topics like death, ...

Q&A: What is “diminished financial capacity”?

Q & A: QUESTION Q: What is “diminished financial capacity,” and why is it so dangerous for seniors? —...

How Creating A Life & Legacy Plan Creates And Preserves Your Family's Legacy

When you think about loved ones who’ve passed away, you probably don’t think very much—or even at all—abo...

3 Reasons Why Transferring Ownership Of Your Home To Your Child Is A Bad Idea

Whether it’s to qualify for Medicaid, avoid probate, or reduce your tax burden, transferring ownership of...

How Naming Guardians For Your Kids In Your Will Can Leave Them At Risk

If you are a mom or dad with children under the age of 18 at home, your number-one estate planning priori...

Does Your Family Need Umbrella Insurance?

In today’s highly litigious society you are at near-constant risk for costly lawsuits—even if you’ve done...

Asset Protection Trust: Safeguarding Child Inheritance | PFL

As a parent, you’re likely hoping to leave your children an inheritance. In fact, doing so may be one of ...

7 Last-Minute Moves To Save On Your Taxes For 2021

Although many strategies to save on your income taxes must be locked in before the end of the year, there...

Q&A How much can I write off on my 2021 income taxes for charitable donations?

Q & A: Q: How much can I write off on my 2021 income taxes for charitable donations if I don’t itemiz...

Probate: What It Is & How To Avoid It—Part 2

Unless you’ve created an estate plan that works to keep your family out of court, when you die (or become...

Probate: What It Is & How To Avoid It—Part 1

Unless you’ve created a proper estate plan, when you die many of your assets must first pass through the ...

Protect Your Home, Family, and Assets From The Threat Of Natural Disasters

Over just the last two years, we’ve seen historic levels of damage caused by natural disasters in the U.S...

What To Expect From Your Initial Meeting With A Personal Family Lawyer®

Whether you’ve met with an estate planning lawyer before or it’s your first time, it’s important to under...

Q&A How can I determine how much life insurance I should have?

Q & A: Q: How can I determine how much life insurance I should have? —Family Planner ANSWER A: Dear P...

4 Reasons Why Estate Planning Is So Essential For Business Owners

If you are running a business, it’s easy to give estate planning less priority than your other business m...

Purchasing Life Insurance For Your Family: What You Need To Know

Life insurance is a key component of your family’s estate plan, offering those who depend on you for thei...

Don’t Leave Your Children With The Babysitter Until You Read This | PFL®

As we head into the third year of the pandemic, we are coming to terms with just how fragile our lives an...

5 Ways DIY Estate Plans Can Fail & Leave Your Family At Risk—Part 2

Do a Google search for “digital wills” or “online estate planning,” and you’ll find dozens of different w...

5 Ways DIY Estate Plans Can Fail & Leave Your Family At Risk—Part 1

Do a Google search for “digital wills” or “online estate planning,” and you’ll find dozens of different w...

Preventing Family Conflict And Disputes Over Your Estate Plan | PFL®

No matter how well you think you know your loved ones, it’s impossible to predict exactly how they’ll beh...

One of The Greatest Gifts To Your Family Is The Plan For Incapacity

When it comes to estate planning, most people automatically think about taking legal steps to ensure the ...

Why Putting Your Family Home In A Trust Is A Smart Move—Part 2 | PFL®

This article is part two of a two-part series on the benefits of putting your home in a trust. Part one o...

How to Pass Down Your Family Wealth Legacy During The Holidays

As you likely already know, but may not have given much thought about, the most important inheritance you...

Why Putting Your Family Home In A Trust Is A Smart Move—Part 1

If you are like many homeowners, your home is likely your family’s most valuable and treasured asset. In ...

The Basics On NFTs: The Newest Cryptoverse Craze

NFTs, or “non-fungible tokens,” are the latest sensation in the cryptocurrency universe, or as we like to...

Q&A: How does buying or selling a business affect my estate plan?

Q: How does buying or selling a business affect my estate plan? --Business Buyer ANSWER Dear Buyer: If yo...

FAQs About Long-Term Care Insurance

Our nation’s population is aging at a faster rate than ever before, and collectively we are living much l...

10 Things You Should Know About Living Wills | PFL®

When it comes to estate planning, you’ve most likely heard people mention a couple of different types of ...

Think You Are Too Young to Need An Estate Plan? Think Again.

The pandemic has caused Americans to change their behavior in a number of different ways, and one of the ...

Q&A: How does the proposed tax bill affect federal estate and gift tax?

Q: How does the Democrat’s newly proposed tax bill affect the federal estate and gift tax exclusion? -Con...

2021 Estate Planning Checkup: Is Your Estate Plan Up to Date?

Even if you put a totally solid estate plan in place, it can turn out to be worthless for the people you ...

How Estate Planning Can Bring Blended Families Closer

Yours, mine and ours … in today’s modern family, it’s oh so common. The blended family is the product of ...

Why You Need a Trust - Even if You Aren't Rich

When you hear the words, “trust fund,” do you conjure up images of stately mansions and party yachts? A t...

With Tax Laws in Flux: What Should You Do Now?

On September 13, 2021, Democrats in the House of Representatives released a new $3.5 trillion proposed sp...

Q&A: How does the administration of a will work?

Q: How does the administration of a will work? -Family Planner ANSWER Dear Planner: In order for assets i...

Proposed Changes To Tax Laws That Will Impact Estate Planning—Part 1

On September 13, 2021, Democrats in the House of Representatives released a new $3.5 trillion proposed sp...

Bob Ross' Estate Planning Mistakes: Lessons for Biz Owners PT 2 | PFL®

As the host of the wildly popular The Joy of Painting TV series on PBS, Bob Ross became a pop-culture ico...

A Not-So-Happy Accident: Bob Ross’s Estate Planning Failures —Part 1

As the host of the wildly popular The Joy of Painting TV series on PBS, Bob Ross became a pop-culture ico...

Estate Planning Must-Haves For Single Parents | PFL®

If you are a single parent, life for you right now probably couldn’t get any busier. You are likely being...

3 Ways To Benefit By Incorporating Charitable Giving Into Your Estate Plan

You are likely well aware of the tax benefits that come from donating to charity during your lifetime—don...

Q&A: What is a pet trust, and how does it work?

Q: What is a pet trust, and how does it work? -Doggy Daddy ANSWER A: Dear Doggy, While it’s possible to n...

Estate Planning 101: Wills vs. Trusts | PFL®

Wills and trusts are two of the most commonly used estate planning documents, and they form the foundatio...

DMX’s Estate Battle: No Will, Millions in Debt, 15 Heirs – Part 2 | PFL®

Legendary hip hop artist DMX—born Earl Simmons—passed away on April 9 at age 50 after suffering a massive...

DMX Dies Without a Will, in Debt, Leaving 15 Children – Part 1 | PFL®

Legendary hip hop artist DMX—born Earl Simmons—passed away on April 9 at age 50 after suffering a massive...

Don't Forget To Protect Your Furry Family: Estate Planning For Your Pets

It’s sad but true that many pets end up in shelters after their owner dies or becomes incapacitated. In f...

Q&A: How should I include my cryptocurrency in my estate plan?

Q: How should I include my cryptocurrency in my estate plan? -Digital Planner ANSWER A: Dear Digital, Jus...

Ensuring Digital Assets Are Protected in Your Estate Plan: Part 2 | PFL®

Recent advances in digital technology have made many aspects of our lives exponentially easier and more c...

All You Need to Know About Including Digital Assets In Your Estate Plan—Part 1

Recent advances in digital technology have made many aspects of our lives exponentially easier and more c...

Britney Spears’ Conservatorship: Lessons in Incapacity Planning | PFL®

Since the age of 16, when she burst onto the charts with her debut single, “...Hit Me Baby One More Time,...

Britney Spears: Why Incapacity Planning Matters - Part 1 | PFL®

Since the age of 16, when she burst onto the charts with her debut single, “...Hit Me Baby One More Time,...

Estate Planning For A Child With Special Needs: What Parents Need To Know

Estate planning is an obvious concern for all parents, but if you have a child with special needs, it’s c...

Q&A: Can I leave my 401(k) to my minor children when I die?

Q: Can I leave my 401(k) to my minor children when I die? -Pondering Parent ANSWER A: Dear Pondering, Tho...

3 Estate Planning Issues For LGBTQ Couples—Part 2

Whether you are married or not, if you are involved in a committed partnership with another individual, e...

3 Estate Planning Issues For LGBTQ+ Couples—Part 1

Whether you are married or in a committed partnership, estate planning is about much more than planning f...

The Perfect Father’s Day Gift for Every Father

When you are a kid, finding a suitable gift for Father’s Day can be a struggle. You want to get Dad somet...

3 Vital Estate Planning Documents For High School Graduates

With the arrival of summer, young people across the country are about to reach a key milestone: high scho...

Q&A: Should I leave money for my child with special needs in my will?

Q: Should I leave money for my child with special needs in my will? – Prudent Parent ANSWER A: Dear Prude...

Just Married? 6 Estate Planning Essentials for Newlyweds—Part 2

As we head into the peak of wedding season, if you are a newlywed or are about to tie the knot, add “esta...

Just Married? 6 Estate Planning Essentials for Newlyweds—Part 1

As we head into the peak of wedding season, if you are a newlywed or are about to tie the knot, add “esta...

Aretha Franklin’s Estate Planning Haunts Her Family — Part 2 | PFL®

Nearly three years have passed since Aretha Franklin, known as the “Queen of Soul,” died from pancreatic ...

Looking for the Best Mother’s Day Gift Ever? Try The Kids Protection Plan

Although we initially planned to run part two of last week’s post on Aretha Franklin’s failed estate plan...

Consider This Before You Create Your Will Online

A last will and testament is the most commonly thought-of document when it comes to an estate plan. But r...

How can I avoid being placed under a professional guardian?

Q: How can I avoid being placed under the care of a professional guardian? —Senior Planner A: Dear Planne...

Aretha Franklin’s Estate Planning Haunts Her Family —Part 1 | PFL®

Nearly three years have passed since Aretha Franklin, known as the “Queen of Soul,” died from pancreatic ...

I Care a Lot: Uncovering the Dark Side of Legal Guardianship (Part 2) | PFL®

The Netflix movie I Care a Lot provides a dark, violent, and somewhat comedic take on the real life and n...

I Care a Lot: Uncovers the Dark Side of Guardianship - Part 1

The Netflix movie I Care a Lot provides a dark, violent, and somewhat comedic take on the real life and n...

6 Ways The American Rescue Plan Can Boost Your Family’s Finances—Part 2

Signed into law on March 11th, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is ...

6 Ways The American Rescue Plan Can Boost Your Family’s Finances - Part 1

Signed into law on March 11th, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) is ...

What estate planning documents should my son, who just turned 18, have in place?

Q: What estate planning documents should my son, who just turned 18 and is planning to attend college in ...

7 Ways To Save Big Money On Your 2020 Taxes—Part 2

2020 was a nightmarish year for many families. But thanks to recent legislation, you could see a silver l...

7 Ways To Save Big Money On Your 2020 Taxes—Part 1

2020 was a nightmarish year for many families. But thanks to recent legislation, you could see a silver l...

Managing Child Care While Dealing With Illness: Tips For Parents—Part 2

Even though there are now vaccines for the pandemic and the number of new cases is on the decline, becomi...

Parenting With COVID-19: Tips for Single Parents (Part 1) | PFL®

Even though there are now vaccines for COVID-19 and the number of new cases is on the decline, becoming i...

Do I need to create a new will if I move to another state?

Q: Do I need to create a new will if I move to another state? -Curious Mover A: Dear Curious: Most states...

Larry King’s Death Highlights Importance of Updating Your Estate Plan—Part 2

Legendary TV and radio host, Larry King, died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on January 23...

Find A Trusted Personal Family Lawyer® Firm Near You

Not sure where to start? Browse our directory.

Get Your Copy of Wear Clean Underwear to plan for your family’s future.

You've planned your kids’ birthday parties, playdates, and education. But have you adequately planned for the care of your family if the unthinkable happened? What provisions are needed in the first 24 hours while the officials locate your family members and arrange for your children's care?

In an easy-to-read "choose your own adventure" story format, Wear Clean Underwear guides you to know the exact right legal steps for yourself and the people you love.

Watch the free training now