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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 ...

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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.

Lessons from Larry King’s Death: Update Your Estate Plan (Pt 1) | PFL®

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

Managing Your Digital Afterlife: A Guide To Facebook’s Legacy Contact

If you use Facebook to share, track, and report on important life events, it can provide an intimate snap...

New Developments Transform the Role Life Insurance Plays in Your Planning

Within the past year, a combination of new legislation and the recent change of leadership in the White H...

How can I obtain consent for my incapacitated mother to get a vaccination?

Q: How can I obtain consent for my incapacitated mother to get a COVID-19 vaccination? -Concerned Daughte...

Does Your Estate Plan Protect Your Intellectual Property?

If you own a business, you almost certainly have intellectual property. However, because your intellectua...

Moving To A New State? Remember to Update Your Estate Plan

Although you likely won’t need to have an entirely new estate plan prepared for you, upon relocating to a...

5 Tips For Keeping Kids Connected With Grandparents During the Pandemic

While the quarantines, shutdowns, and social distancing measures related to the pandemic have been diffic...

What You Should Know About Long-Term Care Insurance

With people living longer than ever before, more and more seniors require long-term healthcare services i...

Can I serve as a trustee if I don’t have any legal experience?

Q: Can I serve as a trustee if I don’t have any legal experience? -Curious Cousin A: Dear Curious: Being ...

Former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh Dies Without A Will—Part 2

Last week in part one of this series, we discussed how Tony Hsieh became an Internet pioneer, starting tw...

Former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh Dies Without A Will—Part 1 | PFL®

On November 27th, nine days after being pulled unconscious from a house fire in a beachfront home in New ...

4 Tips For Talking About Estate Planning With Your Family Over the Holidays

With COVID-19 still raging, your 2020 holiday season may not feature the big family get-togethers of year...

5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Estate Planning Lawyer—Part 2

Since you’ll be discussing topics like death, incapacity, and other frightening life events, hiring an es...

5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Estate Planning Lawyer—Part 1

Since you’ll be discussing topics like death, incapacity, and other frightening life events, hiring an es...

What is the best way to bring up estate planning with my family over the holidays?

Q: What is the best way to bring up estate planning with my family over the holidays? -Festive Father A: ...

Remarrying In Midlife? Avoid Accidently Disinheriting Your Loved Ones

Today, we’re seeing more and more people getting divorced in middle age and beyond. Indeed, the trend of ...

6 Things You Should NOT Include In Your Will | PFL®

A will is one of the most basic estate planning tools. While relying solely on a will is rarely a suitabl...

Getting Divorced? Don’t Overlook These 4 Updates to Your Estate Plan—Part 2

Going through divorce can be an overwhelming experience that impacts nearly every facet of your life, inc...

Getting Divorced? Don’t Overlook These 4 Updates to Your Estate Plan—Part 1

Going through divorce can be an overwhelming experience that impacts nearly every facet of your life, inc...

Will Your Estate Plan Actually Work When Your Family Needs It?

November 6, 2020 is “National Love Your Lawyer Day,” which started in 2001 as a way to celebrate lawyers ...

Potential Changes to Estate Tax Exemption if Democrats Win | PFL®

Q: If Democrats sweep the election, what’s likely to happen to the increased gift and estate tax exemptio...

Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman Dies Without A Will—Part 2 | PFL®

On October 15th, nearly two months after the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, his wife, Tayl...

Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman Dies Without A Will—Part 1

On October 15th, nearly two months after the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, his wife, Tayl...

4 Reasons Why You Can’t Afford to Go Without An Estate Plan

October 19th-25th, 2020 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, so if you've been thinking about crea...

Start Planning Now to Prepare Your Estate for a Possible Democratic Sweep—Part 2

No matter who you vote for on November 3rd, you may want to start considering the potential legal, financ...

Start Planning Now to Prepare Your Estate for a Possible Democratic Sweep—Part 1

No matter who you are voting for on November 3rd, you may want to start considering the potential legal, ...

What You Should Know Before Agreeing to Serve as Trustee

Being asked by a loved one to serve as trustee for their trust upon their death can be quite an honor, bu...

How are decisions made for an incapacitated person without a living will?

Q: How are decisions made for an incapacitated person without a living will? --Concerned family member A:...

6 Changes to Watch For In Your 2020 Taxes | PFL®

Although you may have just filed your 2019 income taxes in July, now is the time to start thinking about ...

Once Your Kids Are 18, Make Sure They Sign These Documents

While estate planning is probably one of the last things your teenage kids are thinking about, given the ...

Lost An Old 401(k)? Here Are 6 Tips For Finding It

The days of working for a single employer for decades until you retire are over. Today, you are much more...

The Need For a Go-Bag Is Even More Important During a Pandemic

In response to a series of wildfires that ravaged Southern California in 2017, we wrote a previous articl...

What is the Best Way to Save for My Child's College Education?

Q: What is the Best Way to Save for My Child's College Education? --Concerned Parent A: Dear Concerned: O...

Supreme Court Case Could Impact LGBTQ Adoption, But There Are Alternatives

A case on the Supreme Court’s docket for October could have a major impact on the parental rights of same...

What the Netflix Series Tiger King Can Teach You About Asset Protection -Part 3

Anyone who has seen the hit Netflix documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness can attest that i...

What the Netflix Series Tiger King Can Teach You About Estate Planning-Part 2

Anyone who has seen the hit Netflix documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness can attest that i...

What the Netflix Series Tiger King Can Teach You About Estate Planning-Part 1

Anyone who has seen the hit Netflix documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness can attest that i...

What Property Can I Put In My Living Trust?

Q: What Property Can I Put In My Living Trust? - Planning For the Future A: Dear Planning: A living trust...

How to Avoid the Need For a Prenuptial Agreement—Part 2

If you are engaged to be married, divorce is probably the last thing you and your fiancé want to be think...

How to Avoid the Need For a Prenuptial Agreement—Part 1

If you’re counting down the days to your wedding, divorce is probably the last thing you and your fiancé ...

COVID-19 Highlights Critical Need for Advance Healthcare Directives—Part 2

In the first part of this series, we discussed the vital importance of having updated advance directives ...

COVID-19 Highlights Critical Need for Advance Healthcare Directives—Part 1

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country, doctors across the nation are joining lawyers i...

Gianna Bryant’s Death Highlights Estate Planning Gaps | PFL®

In January, we reported how the deaths of NBA legend Kobe Bryant (Kobe) and his 13-year-old daughter, Gia...

Executor Responsibilities: How Long to Distribute Assets From a Will?

Q: How Long Does an Executor Have to Distribute Assets From a Will? - Watching and Waiting A: Dear Waitin...

Your “Blended” Family Is Likely Headed to Court Unless You Do This

If you have a blended family and do not plan for what happens to your assets in the event of your incapac...

How Do Trusts Help You Save on Taxes?

Many people come to us curious (or confused) about trusts and taxes. So today’s article is going to sort ...

Is It Time to Go Solo(preneur)?

There’s nothing like a major change in the economic climate to make you rethink your day job. “Business a...

Learning to Flourish, Even in a Financial Crisis

Maybe you, like many of us, have been raised to think that the safest way to live in the working world is...

My dad recently passed and did not have a will, what should I do?

Q: My dad recently passed and did not have a will, what should I do? - Feeling Lost A: Dear Lost: First, ...

The Basics of Disability Insurance and How It Can Help During COVID

With the risks still posed by COVID-19, we all need to face the possibility that we could get sick, even ...

Who Would Care For Your Children If You Got Sick With COVID-19?

The pandemic is causing us to consider a lot of things that we may not have before, even if maybe we shou...

3 Unique Ways to Handle the Guilt Inherent to Being a Parent

If you’re a parent, you may feel even more guilty than usual. If so, you are definitely not alone. Curren...

Getting Legal Documents Signed During COVID -- A Reason To Not Go It Alone

Wills, trusts, health care directives, powers of attorney, and legal guardian nominations are on many of ...

What is the Difference Between Living Will and Medical POA?

Q: What’s the difference between a Living Will and a Medical POA? - Thinking Ahead A: Dear Thinking: A Li...

Protecting Your Parents From Undue Influence During Covid and Beyond

In a previous article, we shared steps to understanding your parents’ estate planning and the nature of t...

Should You (or Your Parents) Be in the Stock Market Now?

If you or your parents have a retirement account, (or any investment accounts for that matter) now is the...

The Risks and Benefits of Online Wills: What You Need to Know | PFL®

With all of the media about “digital wills” and “online estate planning” it could be tempting to think yo...

A Map to Doing the Right Thing for the People You Love During COVID-19

Right now, huge numbers of people are coming face to face with their own mortality, and realizing they ne...

How To Get Access to Your COVID Stimulus Money

It’s the beginning of the month, and bills are coming due. If you are stressed out, it’s important that y...

I want my child to own my house when I die. Should I just transfer it now?

Q: I want my child to own my house when I die. Should I just transfer it now? - Pondering Parent A: Dear,...

The Most Important Legal and Financial Actions To Take Right Now

As you already know, the COVID-19 pandemic means nothing is business as usual. Many states have implement...

How To Talk To Your Parents and Get Them To Stay Home

There’s no doubt that your parents have survived frightening world events, whether that was World War II,...

Are You Clear About How Your Parents Estate Plan Will Impact You?

Do your parents have an estate plan? Is it up to date? No matter how rich or poor you or your parents are...

How to Plan a “Pet Trust” to Protect Your Pet After Your Death

In my previous article, I talked about what to take into consideration when you’re planning for your pet’...

Could I face eviction due to an out of date Will?

Q: Could I face eviction due to an out of date Will? -Renting Beneficiary A: Dear, Renting: It’s critical...

CORONAVIRUS: Impact to Your Wealth, Health and Happiness

While it’s still hard to tell how the Coronavirus will impact us in the long term, it’s become a subject ...

What Happens to Your Pets When You Die?

If you have pets, my guess is that you love them as much as you do your children, but I’m also guessing t...

Money Talk: How Much Will You Share With Your Kids (and When)?

In many families, money still is not a typical dinner table discussion, but we think it should be. Surpri...

False Security: Is Your Will Legally Valid?

A last will and testament can ensure your wishes are respected when you die. But if your will isn’t legal...

Under what circumstances can my will be contested?

Q: Under what circumstances can my will be contested? -Will Creator A: Dear Will: Anyone can contest a wi...

Kobe Bryant's Death Highlights Need for Estate Planning

As you no doubt already know, on January 26, 2020, basketball legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopt...

4 Things Trusts Can Do That Wills Can’t

Both wills and trusts are estate planning documents that can be used to pass your wealth and property to ...

The SECURE Act’s Impact On Estate and Retirement Planning—Part 2

In the first part of this series, we discussed the potential ramifications the SECURE ACT has for your es...

The SECURE Act’s Impact On Estate and Retirement Planning—Part 1

On January 1, 2020, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act) went into ...

The Tax Cut & Jobs Act Drastically Alters the Tax Consequences of Divorce

The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) made sweeping changes to exemptions, deductions, and credits for your ...

How often should I update my estate plan?

Q: How often should I update my estate plan? -Prudent planner A: Dear Prudent: This question highlights a...

Avoid These 4 Mistakes When Naming Life Insurance Beneficiaries

Investing in life insurance is a foundational part of estate planning. However, when naming your policy’s...

Don’t Let Diminished Financial Capacity Put Your Elderly Loved Ones At Risk—Part 2

In the first part of this series, we discussed the early warning signs of diminished financial capacity i...

Don’t Let Diminished Financial Capacity Put Your Elderly Loved Ones At Risk—Part 1

With more and more Baby Boomers reaching retirement age each year, our country is undergoing an unprecede...

5 Steps For Adding Digital Assets To Your Estate Plan

Although digital technology has made many aspects of our lives much easier and more convenient, it has al...

Do I need additional life insurance if I have a policy through my employer?

Q: Do I need additional life insurance if I already have a policy through my employer? -Insurance Enquiry...

4 Tips For Discussing Estate Planning With Your Family This Holiday Season

As we head into the peak of the holiday season, you’re likely spending more time than usual surrounded by...

Don’t Let Your Kids Move Out Without Signing These Documents

Watching your kids leave home to attend college or start their career can be an emotional time for you as...

Buyer Beware: The Hidden Dangers of DIY Estate Planning—Part 2

Last week, we shared the first part of this series on the dangers of do-it-yourself estate planning. Here...

Buyer Beware: The Hidden Dangers of DIY Estate Planning—Part 1

Do a Google search for “online estate planning documents,” and you’ll find dozens of different websites. ...

4 Year-End Tax-Saving Strategies for 2019

As we head towards the end of the year, we’re fast approaching the deadline to implement your family’s ta...

Can I use estate planning to provide for my pet’s care after my death?

Q: Can I use estate planning to provide for my pet’s care after my death? -Dog Lover A: Dear Lover: Yes, ...

Airtight Protection For Your Child’s Inheritance - Part 2 | PFL®

In the first part of this series, we discussed a unique planning tool known as a Lifetime Asset Protectio...

Lifetime Asset Protection Trusts: Secure Your Child's Inheritance | PFL®

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

Understanding Your Life Insurance Settlement Options

Following the death of the policy holder, the way in which proceeds from a life insurance policy are paid...

Who Will Be Emani’s Legal Guardian After the Death of Her Dad? | PFL®

In the aftermath of rapper Nipsey Hussle’s murder this March, his family and ex-girlfriend have been lock...

What does an executor do?

Q: What does an executor do? -Will writer A: Dear Will: An executor is the person named in your will to a...

Is Platonic or Co-Parenting Right For You?

With societal attitudes about love, marriage, and parenting constantly evolving, our perception of what c...

Use Estate Planning to Ensure Your Legacy Doesn’t Get Erased

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

Use Estate Planning to Avoid Adult Guardianship—and Elder Abuse: Part 2

In the first part of this series, we discussed how some professional adult guardians have used their powe...

Use Estate Planning to Avoid Adult Guardianship—and Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can take a wide variety of forms, but we think the worst of the worst is caused by unscrupulo...

What does “funding” a trust mean?

Q: What does “funding” a trust mean? -Curious planner A: Dear Curious: For a living trust to function pro...

Estate Planning Concerns For Married, Same-Gender Couples

Now that same-gender couples can legally marry in all 50 states, more Americans than ever before are enjo...

Why A Will Is Not A Suitable Option For Protecting Your Pet

These days, lots of people consider their pets to be members of their family. Indeed, pets can become our...

How Will The Coming Wealth Transfer Affect Your Family?

Whether it’s called “The Great Wealth Transfer,” “The Silver Tsunami,” or some other catchy-sounding name...

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