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Is a Will Enough? Your Post-Will Planning Checklist

You Made a Will. Here’s What It Can’t Do. You did it. Maybe Make-A-Will Month finally moved it to the top...

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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.

Is a Will Enough? Your Post-Will Planning Checklist

You Made a Will. Here’s What It Can’t Do. You did it. Maybe Make-A-Will Month finally moved it to the top...

Make-A-Will Month: Why a Will Isn't a Complete Estate Plan

A family called me after losing their mother. She had a will, properly signed and perfectly valid. But it...

Trump Accounts: What Every Parent of a Baby Born 2025–2028 Needs to Know

If your baby was born on or after January 1, 2025, the federal government has set aside $1,000 for your c...

When Your Spouse Won't Get on Board with Estate Planning

You've brought it up before. Maybe it came up after watching a friend go through something hard, a probat...

What Happens to Debt When You Die: What Families Must Know

The call came four days after her husband died. A credit card company. Forty-one thousand dollars on his ...

The New Tax Law and Your Family's Trust: What to Know Now

A client forwarded me a CNBC article last week with a note: "Does this affect our trust?" It was a reason...

Digital Estate Planning: Why Passwords Aren't Enough

She found the notebook in the top drawer of her mother's desk. Six pages. Every account. Every password. ...

Divorce Doesn't Update Your Estate Plan: Here's What Does

If you are a divorced father, you already know something that most married fathers don't: showing up for ...

Stepfathers and Father Figures: What the Law Doesn't See

If you are a stepfather, you know the difference between the legal definition of father and the real one....

The Question Every Father Thinks He's Answered (But Hasn't)

There are two kinds of fathers. The first kind coaches the games, makes it to the school plays, stays up ...

No One Warned Her About the Widow's Penalty

She had been filing taxes the same way for thirty years. Married filing jointly. Two incomes, two Social ...

The Document That Fails When You Need It Most

This happens far more than it should. You signed a Power of Attorney (POA), named someone you trust, and ...

He Sold His Company for $1.2 Billion. Then He Died.

If something happened to you tomorrow, would the people you love know what to do? Would they have the leg...

Her Husband Died Without a Will. Then ICE Came to the Door.

You fall in love later in life. You marry. You start over. Then your spouse dies suddenly. Before you hav...

Tax Season Made You Look. Now Ask the Real Question.

Tax season just made you look at your financial life honestly. All of it. Tax season forced it. You gathe...

Anne Heche Died in 2022. Her Family Is Still Paying for It

After you're gone, your family won't just be grieving. They'll be making phone calls, hunting down accoun...

One Death, One Courtroom, One Child: A Parent's Lesson

You probably assume that if something happened to you, the other parent would step in and everything woul...

Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples

You and your partner have built something real together. Maybe you share a home, split the bills, and hav...

Here’s What Can Happen to Blended Families When a Spouse Dies

If you are in a blended family, you may believe the simplest estate plan is the fairest one: "I'll leave ...

Here’s What Happens to Your Retirement Accounts After You Die

Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs often represent the single largest category of wealth for Ameri...

Creating a Trust in Your Will vs. Creating a Living Trust: Part 2

Last week, we covered how it works when you create a trust through your will. This week, I'll show you ho...

Dear Skeptical Husband: A Letter From a Lawyer

I used to think estate planning was a scam, too. I'm not saying that to win you over. I'm saying it becau...

Creating a Trust in Your Will vs. Creating a Living Trust: Part 1

You've probably heard that trusts help families avoid probate court and protect assets for the people you...

Why Quick and Simple Estate Plan Reviews Don't Exist

When someone calls an estate planning attorney asking for a "quick look" at their documents, the request ...

Understanding Inheritance Taxes

When planning for your death, there’s one issue you may not have thought about, but is so important to yo...

The Lady Bird Deed: 5 Risks to Consider Beyond Medicaid Protection

You own your home. Maybe it's your most significant asset. Perhaps you’ve heard about Lady Bird Deeds and...

What Happens to Your Debt When You Die?

It's a question I hear often: if I die with debt, will my family be stuck paying it off? The short answer...

Where Will You Live and Pay for Care as You Age?

If you're planning for your own future or helping aging parents, understanding options for living and lon...

Why So Much Money Ends Up as Unclaimed Property

This February 1, states across America observe National Unclaimed Property Day, chosen to remind you abou...

Frozen Accounts and Court Delays: What Probate Looks Like

Your mom told you not to worry; she had everything handled. You were her power of attorney, helping her p...

What Happens to All Your Stuff When You Die? | PFL®

You open the door to your parents' home for the first time since the funeral. Closets stuffed with decade...

Wills vs. Trusts: How to Choose the Right Tool | PFL®

When you begin thinking about estate planning, one of the first questions you might ask is whether you ne...

Why Your Family Needs a Mission Statement | PFL®

You probably know you “should” have a will or a trust, but have you ever talked with your family about wh...

Got Retirement Savings? Must Read! | PFL®

The SECURE Act 2.0 brought some of the biggest changes to retirement planning in decades. While most peop...

Accidental Death at 39: Here’s What You Need to Know | PFL®

Michael Duarte had everything to live for. At 39, the popular food influencer was building his brand, sha...

Caring for Aging Parents: Protect Relationships and Plan

When adult siblings come together to care for aging parents, something unexpected often happens. Instead ...

The White Elephant Gift Nobody Wants: Family Conflict | PFL®

We've all been there. The holiday White Elephant gift exchange starts out fun and lighthearted. But then ...

How to Talk About Death and Money at the Holidays | PFL®

As the holidays approach, families gather to share food, laughter, and stories. But amid the joy, there i...

When You're Ready to Plan but Your Spouse Isn't | PFL®

When you’re ready to finally put an estate plan in place, it’s natural to feel excited and relieved. You’...

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 ...

How to Keep Wealth in Your Family for Generations | PFL®

Many families focus on building wealth, but fewer think about keeping it. Research shows that a majority ...

Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples | PFL®

You’ve built a life with someone you love - sharing a home, experiences, and maybe even finances - but wi...

Estate Planning Awareness Week: The Greatest Gift to Give

October 20–26, 2025, is Estate Planning Awareness Week - a national observance created to encourage Ameri...

What Hulk Hogan's Estate Teaches Us About Failed Planning

When wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died at age 71, the world lost an icon. But behind the headlines about h...

Why a Planning Session Beats an Initial Consultation | PFL®

A typical initial consultation with an estate planning lawyer may look like this: you meet, you answer qu...

LGBTQIA+ History Month: Honoring and Protecting Families

October is LGBTQIA+ History Month - a time to reflect on the struggles, resilience, and triumphs of those...

The Hidden Risks of Growing Older Without a Life & Legacy Plan

If you are like most people, you probably assume that when the time comes, someone—your spouse, your chil...

The $1.5 Million Estate Planning Mistake You Can't Afford to Make

Picture this: You and your spouse spend decades building a successful business, accumulating assets, and ...

Why Bargain Estate Planning Often Costs the Most

I had an interesting conversation with a potential client last week. After explaining our Life & Lega...

Why an IEP or 504 Plan Isn't Enough for Your Child

If your child has an IEP or 504 Plan, you've already taken an important step to support their education. ...

Coping With Stigma as a Special Needs Parent

You're at the grocery store when it happens. Your child has a meltdown in the cereal aisle. You see the s...

Balancing the Needs of Special Needs Siblings

Parenting a child with special needs is an extraordinary journey. It brings moments of joy, pride, and de...

How to Preserve Your Family Stories Before It's Too Late

A client once told me she would give anything to hear her grandmother’s voice again. Her grandmother had ...

How to Make Networking Nourishing, Fun, and Effective | PFL®

Most entrepreneurs have a love-hate relationship with networking. You know you need it to grow your busin...

When Every Dollar Counts: Why Life & Legacy Planning Matters

Labor Day has always been about honoring the American worker—the people who build our communities, power ...

Living With Loss: The Daily Impact of Grief

Losing someone you love reshapes your world in ways you may never expect. Some changes are obvious—you no...

What Meal Planning Teaches You About Estate Planning

My colleague told me a story recently. Her son moved into his first apartment at college and had to go gr...

Why the Right Estate Planning Lawyer Matters

When someone you love dies, grief hits hard enough. But imagine adding legal chaos, confusing paperwork, ...

Why Estate Planning Documents Fail Families | PFL®

You hired a lawyer, signed your estate planning documents, and filed them safely away. Or maybe your fina...

Self-Care for Parents of Children With Special Needs | PFL®

The back-to-school commercials are everywhere, showing excited children picking out new backpacks and par...

“It Has Been Such a Good Life”: The Legacy Your Loved Ones Need | PFL®

When Anna Harp lost her father, Rudolph Clausing, she didn’t get to say goodbye. It was January 2021, dur...

The Reality of Managing Inherited Real Estate

You've just lost someone important to you, and now you're responsible for their home. Maybe it's sitting ...

100 Heirs, $17 Billion: Lessons From a Tech Billionaire

Imagine you’re worth $17 billion and have over 100 biological children—some born through relationships, o...

If You're Incapacitated, Who Cares for Your Child? | PFL®

As a parent of a child with special needs, you understand their unique needs better than anyone, from how...

Life-or-Death Decisions Your Family Shouldn't Make Alone

When you think about estate planning, you probably picture wills, trusts, and who gets what. But what hap...

The One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for Your Family

The massive tax legislation known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill" became law on July 4, 2025, bringing sw...

Preparing Your Child With Special Needs for School | PFL®

Even though it’s still summer, the new school year will be here before we know it. As a parent, watching ...

When Paradise Turns to Pain: Jimmy Buffett's Estate Battle | PFL®

Jimmy Buffett built an empire around the laid-back "Margaritaville" lifestyle, but his $275 million estat...

How Life & Legacy Planning Promotes Independence | PFL®

Every Fourth of July, we celebrate more than fireworks and barbecues. We honor the bold vision of people ...

3 Ages That Affect Benefits for Special Needs Children

Raising a child with special needs brings unique joys and challenges, including financial considerations ...

Why Your Pets Need an Estate Plan Too

When Ian Burke, a mail carrier from Destin, Texas, heard that Floyd—a 70-pound dog he'd befriended on his...

Protecting Black Families' Generational Wealth | PFL®

The statistics are sobering. According to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, the wea...

What Priscilla Presley's Lawsuit Reveals About Elder Abuse

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and there’s a case in the headlines right now that drives home just ...

Keeping Your Special Needs Child Safe and Busy in Summer

As the school year ends and summer approaches, you might find yourself experiencing a mix of anticipation...

This Father’s Day Take Your Provision One Step Further | PFL®

Father's Day arrives each June filled with barbecues, baseball games, and heartfelt cards celebrating the...

Heads Up! Major Tax Changes on the Horizon | PFL®

The House recently passed what many are calling "One Big, Beautiful Bill" that could reshape the tax land...

Pride Month & Planning: Securing a Legacy That Lasts | PFL®

As Pride Month begins, we celebrate the progress made toward equality while acknowledging that LGBTQIA+ i...

Travel Health Emergencies With a Special Needs Child

Planning for Travel Emergencies with a Child with Special Needs Traveling with a child with special needs...

The Zappos CEO Estate Chaos That Could Have Been Avoided

Imagine this: You’ve built a business empire, revitalized an entire city, and left a legacy of innovation...

How Memorial Day Can Inspire Your Own Legacy Planning

Memorial Day isn’t just about barbecues and long weekends—it’s a sacred time to pause and honor the men a...

Summer Travel Tips for Special Needs Families

Summer vacation is a time for family fun and relaxation—but if you're the parent of a child with special ...

Why Business Owners Need More Than a Cheap Estate Plan

If you're a business owner, you may have considered using an online form or a low-cost legal service to s...

A Mother's Legacy: Estate Planning as an Act of Love

When we think about Mother's Day, we often picture breakfast in bed, handmade cards, and bouquets of fres...

Building Independence for Your Child With Special Needs

As a parent of a child with special needs, you often find yourself in a constant state of protection mode...

The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025: What It Means for You

Have you ever worked your entire life to build something valuable, only to worry about a significant port...

10 Guardian Mistakes That Could Put Your Kids at Risk

Imagine this: something unexpected happens, and you're suddenly unable to care for your children. It's a ...

The $700 Million Mistake: Why You Need an Asset Inventory

Imagine accidentally throwing away $700 million. While it sounds like the plot of a movie, this nightmare...

Housing Options for Adults With Special Needs

As your child with special needs approaches adulthood, questions about their future living situation beco...

Gene Hackman's Estate: A Wake-Up Call for Everyone | PFL®

The recent passing of legendary actor Gene Hackman has revealed a complicated estate situation that serve...

Where to Invest What You Have Right Now | PFL®

Wondering where to invest during a recession or economic downturn? Whether the recession is looming or al...

Why Reviewing Your Trust Regularly Isn't Optional

Creating an estate plan and establishing a trust is a critical step toward safeguarding your family’s fut...

Special Needs Trusts: Advantages Many Families Miss

When you have a child with special needs, planning for their future financial security can feel overwhelm...

Protecting Cash When Savings Exceed FDIC Limits

Imagine this: You've spent decades carefully saving money, building a comfortable nest egg that represent...

Why Unmarried Couples Must Have an Estate Plan

Love takes many forms, and for countless unmarried couples, building a life together doesn’t include a ma...

Moving States With Special Needs Care: What to Expect

Moving to a new state brings excitement and opportunities, but for parents who have children with special...

Treasury Department Suspends Enforcement of Penalties

UPDATE: On March 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it will not enforce any pena...

Planning a Trip? Protect Your Children with a Kids Protection Plan

As Spring Break approaches, followed by summer, you're likely focused on planning the perfect getaway wit...

3 Times Your Estate Plan Needs a Kids Protection Plan®

As a parent, you have probably thought about the importance of naming permanent legal guardians for your ...

Emergency Prep for Special Needs Families

Life is unpredictable, and when you have a child with special needs, the stakes are even higher. You know...

Estate Planning Strategies for Same-Sex Couples

The political landscape is shifting, and many same-sex couples are worried about what could happen if fed...

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