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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.

Featured, Estate Planning
Help Your Parents Avoid These New Financial Scams - Part 1

Fraudsters and scam artists are nothing new, but changing tools and technology are making it easier than ...

Estate Planning
10 Life Events That Signal It's Time to Review Your Estate Plan - Part 2

You might think that estate planning is something you can complete one time and then check off your to-do...

Estate Planning
10 Life Events That Signal It’s Time to Review Your Estate Plan - Part 1

Maybe you thought that creating a Will or Trust is something you can do once and then your family and ass...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Awakened Planning: How to Talk About Estate Planning at Your Family Reunion

July is National Family Reunion Month and the perfect time to reconnect with family from near and far, sh...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Vacation Ready: Essential Legal Preparations for a Worry-Free Getaway

Vacations are a time to relax, unwind, and create beautiful memories with your loved ones. But before you...

Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
The Importance of Customized Estate Planning for LGBTQ+ Relationships - Part 2

Last week we started the discussion of why it’s so important for LGBTQ+ families to invest in custom esta...

Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
The Importance of Customized Estate Planning for LGBTQ+ Relationships - Part 1

June is a time of celebration and reflection for the LGBTQ+ community as Pride Month shines a spotlight o...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Want to Grow Wealth? Warren Buffet's Unexpected Investment Advice

If you are going to take investment and estate planning advice from anyone, Warren Buffett is likely one ...

wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Why "Just a Will" Is Never Enough

When you think of estate planning, a Will is usually the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, most pe...

Estate Planning
Create a Stronger Blended Family Through Estate Planning

Blended families were once considered “non-traditional” families, but today, blended families are becomin...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning
Stephen “tWitch” Boss Dies Without a Will

Stephen Laurel Boss, also known as “tWitch,” was an American DJ, hip-hop dancer, choreographer, televisio...

Estate Planning
Top 5 Questions To Consider Before Hiring A Lawyer For Your Estate Planning Needs

I know discussing topics like death, incapacity, and other potentially frightening life events, with some...

Estate Planning
Estate Planning Before You Travel: Why It's Critically Important

Vacations can be the perfect opportunity to relax, disconnect from work and responsibilities, and enjoy y...

Estate Planning
Why Everyone Needs to Keep Their Estate Plan Updated

As the world and its laws continue to evolve, everyone needs to keep their estate plans up to date. An es...

Estate Planning
Your Rights As The Parent Of A Young Adult — What You Need To Know When A Medical Crisis Hits

As a parent, you are quite accustomed to managing your children's legal and medical affairs, as circumsta...

Estate Planning
5 Reasons Why Shopping For The Cheapest Estate Plan Could Leave Your Family With An Unintended Mess

In most cases, from the most sophisticated business people with the highest net worth to those just start...

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

Like most people, you likely think estate planning is just one more task to check off your life’s endless...

Estate Planning
Revocable Living Trust or Irrevocable Trust: Which One Is Right For You?

You’ve probably heard you need a trust to keep your family out of court and maybe out of conflict in the ...

Estate Planning
Creditors And Your Estate Plan

What Happens To Your Debt When You Die? Maybe you’ve wondered about your own debt or perhaps your parent’...

Estate Planning
Will The Coming Wealth Transfer Be A Blessing Or A Curse For Your Family?

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

Estate Planning
How Will A Recession Affect Your Family?

As you’ve surely heard by now, we’re in the midst of great economic shifts. The collapse of the crypto ma...

Estate Planning
How To Manage Your Digital Accounts After Your Death Part—3

If you have preferences about what happens to your digital footprint after your death, you need to take a...

Estate Planning
How To Manage Your Digital Accounts After Your Death Part—2

If you have preferences about what happens to your digital footprint after your death, you need to take a...

Estate Planning
How To Manage Your Digital Accounts After Your Death—Part 1

If you have preferences about what happens to your digital footprint after your death, you need to take a...

Estate Planning
2022 Estate Planning Checkup: Is Your Estate Plan Up-To-Date?

This year, Estate Planning Awareness Week runs from October 17th to 23rd, and one of our primary goals is...

wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning
Selling Real Estate Or A Business? Avoid Capital Gains Tax With A Charitable Remainder Trust

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

Estate Planning
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 ...

Estate Planning
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 ...

Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning
3 Reasons Why Single Folks With No Children Need An Estate Plan

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

Estate Planning
How To Pass On Family Heirlooms & Keepsakes Without Causing A Family Feud

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

Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
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, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
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 ...

Asset Protection, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Kids Protection Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Enlightened Insurance, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Estate Planning
Don’t Leave Your Children With The Babysitter Until You Read This

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

Asset Protection, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Why Putting Your Family Home In A Trust Is A Smart Move—Part 2

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

Kids Protection Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
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...

Enlightened Insurance, Caring for Elderly Parents, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
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...

Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
10 Things You Should Know About Living Wills

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

Kids Protection Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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 ...

Asset Protection, Kids Protection Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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 ...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
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 ...

wills and trusts, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
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...

wills and trusts, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Estate Planning Must-Haves For Single Parents

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

Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Estate Planning 101: Wills vs. Trusts

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

Estate Planning Mistakes, Planning for Your Pets, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Life Planning, Estate Planning
All You Need to Know About Including Digital Assets In Your Estate Plan—Part 2

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

Asset Protection, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Same Gender Couples, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Kids Protection Planning, Same Gender Couples, Estate Planning
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...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
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...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Life Planning, Same Gender Couples, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Life Planning, Same Gender Couples, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
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...

Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Legal Gangsters: I Care a Lot Uncovers the Dark Side of Legal Guardianship—Part 2

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

Caring for Elderly Parents, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Legal Gangsters: 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...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Enlightened Insurance, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning
Does Your Estate Plan Protect Your Intellectual Property?

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

Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Planning for Your Pets, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
6 Things You Should NOT Include In Your Will

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

Asset Protection, Conscious Divorce, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Conscious Divorce, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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 ...

Asset Protection, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Family Financial Planning, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
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...

Family Financial Planning, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
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, ...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Planning for Seniors, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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 ...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Enlightened Insurance, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Kids Protection Planning, Same Gender Couples, Estate Planning
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...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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 ...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
A Tragic Oversight: Kobe Bryant’s Youngest Mistakenly Left Out of Family Trust

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

Estate Planning Mistakes, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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 ...

Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Online Wills? When You Should, When You Shouldn't and Where to Do It

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

Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
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...

Family Financial Planning, Planning for Your Pets, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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 ...

Enlightened Insurance, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Asset Protection, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Family Financial Planning, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
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...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
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. ...

Asset Protection, Awakened Parenting, Estate Planning
Lifetime Asset Protection Trusts: Airtight Protection For Your Child’s Inheritance - 2

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

Asset Protection, Awakened Parenting, Estate Planning
Lifetime Asset Protection Trusts: Airtight Protection For Your Child’s Inheritance

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

Awakened Parenting, Same Gender Couples, Estate Planning
Is Platonic or Co-Parenting Right For You?

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

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
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...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
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...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Same Gender Couples, Estate Planning
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...

Planning for Your Pets, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
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...

Kids Protection Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Why You Need To Add a ‘When I Die’ File to Your Estate Plan

If you were to suddenly die today, would your loved ones know how to quickly find your estate planning do...

Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
The Real Cost To Your Family of Failed Estate Planning: Not Updating Your Plan

This is the fourth in an ongoing series of NLBM articles discussing the true costs and consequences of fa...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
The Real Cost To Your Family: Having No Estate Plan At All

This is the third in an ongoing series of NLBM articles discussing the true costs and consequences of fai...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Safeguard Your Children's Inheritance With a Lifetime Asset Protection Trust

Last week, we discussed the benefits of a unique estate planning vehicle known as Lifetime Asset Protecti...

wills and trusts, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
Avoid These 2 Common Causes For Dispute Over Your Estate Plan—Part 2

In the first part of this series, we discussed one of the most frequent causes for dispute over your esta...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Avoid These 2 Common Causes For Dispute Over Your Estate Plan—Part 1

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

Estate Planning Mistakes, Life Planning, Estate Planning
The Real Cost To Your Family: Not Planning For Incapacity

This is the first in an ongoing series of NLBM articles discussing the true costs and consequences of fai...

Blended Family Issues, Conscious Divorce, Estate Planning
5 Estate Planning Must-Dos if You’re Getting Divorced—Part 1

Divorce can be traumatic for the whole family. Even if the process is amicable, it involves many tough de...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
4 Critical Estate Planning Tasks to Complete Before Going on Vacation

Going on vacation entails lots of planning: packing luggage, buying plane tickets, making hotel reservati...

Enlightened Insurance, Life Planning, Estate Planning
6 Questions to Consider When Selecting Life Insurance Beneficiaries—Part 2

In the first part of this series, we discussed the first three of six questions you should ask yourself w...

Enlightened Insurance, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
6 Questions to Consider When Selecting Beneficiaries for a Life Insurance Policy

Selecting a beneficiary for your life insurance policy sounds pretty straightforward. You’re just decidin...

wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Understand What’s At Stake Before Agreeing to Serve as Trustee

Being asked by a family member or close friend to serve as trustee for their trust upon their death can b...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Luke Perry’s Death Demonstrates the Importance of Planning for Incapacity

In late February, Luke Perry, who became famous starring in the 1990s TV series Beverly Hills 90210, suff...

Asset Protection, Life Planning, Estate Planning
7 Events That Necessitate a Review of Your Estate Plan

Even if you put a totally solid estate plan in place, it can end up proving worthless if it’s not properl...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
Overlooking This Basic Part of Your Estate Plan Can Be Tragic

The recent death of the CEO of QuadrigaCX, a major cryptocurrency exchange in Canada, demonstrates a basi...

Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Use Estate Planning to Ensure Your Family Isn’t Stuck Paying For Your Funeral

With the cost of a funeral averaging $7,000 and steadily increasing each year, every estate plan should i...

Same Gender Couples, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
4 Estate Planning Must-Haves for Unmarried Couples—Part 2

In the first part of this series, we discussed the estate planning tools all unmarried couples should hav...

Same Gender Couples, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
4 Estate Planning Must-Haves for Unmarried Couples—Part 1

Estate planning is often considered something you only need to worry about once you get married. But the ...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Planning for Your Pets, Estate Planning
Pet Trusts Offer Protection for Your Furry Family

If you’re an animal lover and have a pet of your own, you likely consider your pet to be a member of the ...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
4 Ways Estate Planning Can Improve Relationships with Loved Ones

With the holiday season here, you’re probably spending lots of time with your family and friends. During ...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Dementia and Guns: A Tragedy Waiting to Happen

It’s common for families of those with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia to realize that at some po...

Asset Protection, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Don’t Forget to Include Your Digital Assets In Your Estate Plan—Part 2

In the first part of this series, we discussed the importance of including your digital assets in your es...

Asset Protection, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Don’t Forget to Include Your Digital Assets In Your Estate Plan—Part 1

If you’ve created an estate plan, it likely includes traditional wealth and assets like finances, real es...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Use Estate Planning to Enrich Your Family With More Than Just Material Wealth

In the weeks before her death from ovarian cancer, author Amy Krouse Rosenthal gave her husband Jason one...

Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
To Live a Happier life, Start Thinking About Death Now

Want to know a proven way to live a more fulfilling life? All you have to do is fully accept the fact tha...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Life Planning, Estate Planning
What Happens to Your Facebook Account When You Die?

If you’re active on social media, Facebook probably plays a prominent role in your life. And now the soci...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Aretha Franklin Dies Without a Will

Aretha Franklin, heralded as the “Queen of Soul,” died from pancreatic cancer at age 76 on August 16th at...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Estate Planning
Do Your Homework to Ensure Your Kids Are Properly Cared For No Matter What

It’s back-to-school time again, and when it comes to estate planning you may have homework to do. As a pa...

Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Trustees Should Carefully Consider the Role's Duties and Obligations—Part 2

Last week, we shared the first part of this series explaining the powers and duties that come with servin...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Trustees Should Carefully Consider the Role's Duties and Obligations—Part 1

If a friend or family member has asked you to serve as trustee for their trust upon their death, you shou...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Guardianship Questions—In Case A Parent or Loved One Becomes Incapacitated

Whether through illness, injury, or other means, anyone can require a guardian to become appointed if the...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
Safeguard Your Cryptocurrency Assets With Estate Planning

One of the biggest appeals of cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, is that it is decentralized, unregulated, and...

Asset Protection, Same Gender Couples, Estate Planning
I Don’t Have Kids, So Why Do I Need Estate Planning? Part 2

Last week, we shared the first part of our series on the importance of estate planning for those without ...

Asset Protection, Same Gender Couples, Estate Planning
I Don’t Have Kids, So Why Do I Need Estate Planning? Part 1

It’s a common misconception to think that if you don’t have children, you don’t need to worry about estat...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Estate Planning
6 Steps to Select and Name the Right Guardians for Your Children—Part 2

Last week, we shared the first part of our series on selecting and naming the right guardians for your ch...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Estate Planning
6 Steps to Select and Name the Right Guardians for Your Children—Part 1

One of your most important responsibilities as a parent is to select and legally document guardians for y...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Caring for Elderly Parents, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Estate Planning Mistakes Seniors Can’t Afford to Make

Estate planning really should be considered as soon as you acquire your first asset, have a child, or ste...

Asset Protection, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
The Key Differences Between Wills and Trusts

When discussing estate planning, a will is what most people think of first. Indeed, wills have been the m...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Estate Planning
Before Your Kids Leave For College, Make Sure They Sign These Documents

With high school graduation coming up, many parents will soon watch their children become adults (at leas...

Life Planning, Planning for Your Pets, Estate Planning
Estate Planning Tips for Ensuring Your Pets Are Properly Cared For

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

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Estate Planning Best Practices Gleaned From Famous Celebrity Deaths

Discussing death can be awkward, and many people would prefer just to ignore estate planning all together...

Asset Protection, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
Common Estate Planning Issues for a Second (or More) Marriage

These days, second and even third marriages are fairly commonplace. And the estate planning issues that a...

Awakened Parenting, Same Gender Couples, Estate Planning
Same-Gender Couples Fighting for Parental Rights Can Use Estate Planning

In 2015, when the Supreme Court ruled that same-gender couples had the right to marry, the LGBTQ communit...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
5 Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Since estate planning involves thinking about death, many people put it off until their senior years or s...

Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
What to Expect From Your Initial Meeting With Your Personal Family Lawyer®

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

Kids Protection Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Ready to Write Your Will? Consider This Before You Go It Alone or Online.

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

Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
The Downsizing Generation: Handling a Surplus of Stuff When a Loved One Ages

As the baby boomer generation ages—and downsizes—more and more adult children will be tasked with going t...

Planning for Your Pets, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Ensure Your Pets Are Protected in the Event of Your Death or Incapacity

If you have pets, you probably want to make sure they are well-taken care of, if anything happens to you....

Celebrity Estate Planning, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
The Ten Richest Families in America and Their Rise to Riches

Self-made millionaires are not uncommon in the dotcom era, but their fortunes pale in comparison to those...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
What to Do With Surplus Cash: Pay Down Debt, Spend or Invest?

When you come into a cash surplus from a company bonus, a tax refund, an inheritance or something similar...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Planning Pays Off: An Illustrative Look at Carrie Fisher’s Semi-Failed Estate Plan

Whether your estate is modest or movie star worthy, the value of a good estate plan, properly handled, ca...

Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Is California’s New Transfer on Death Deed a Safe Alternative to a Living Trust?

Perhaps you’ve heard from a well-meaning friend or advisor that you can use an inexpensive Transfer on De...

Asset Protection, Enlightened Insurance, Estate Planning
Planning to Protect Your Assets

Asset protection planning is an important step to take in safeguarding your hard-earned assets from being...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the Blockchain -- What Happens When You Die?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about Bitcoin. But, you may not know what i...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
How “Shopping Around” for An Estate Plan Could Leave Your Family With an Expensive, Unintended Mess

Maybe you’ve heard that before investing in a professional service you should “get three estimates.” Whil...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
Tax Lessons to be Learned from Celebrity Estate Plans

A celebrity's image and likeness can continue to produce considerable income after death. This type of in...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Facing Grief After the Death of a Loved One Can Be the Key to a Life of Health and Wholeness

If you have ever met someone who repeatedly sabotaged their life or seemed to have a hard time moving thi...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Estate Planning
Commit to Your Estate Plan Before Committing to a Trip Away

If you are planning a vacation, you probably have a lot to prepare for before you get away. Between struc...

Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
What Happens to Your Body When You Die? The Choice Can Be Yours.

Many of us are too afraid of death to carefully consider what happens to our bodies after we die. Unfortu...

Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Generational Wisdom in 32 Questions

What can we learn from earlier generations? Quite a bit, says Brendon Burchard, but only if we ask the ri...

Conscious Divorce, Estate Planning
Estate Planning and Divorce: Incapacity, Death and Alimony Considerations

If you are considering a divorce, it’s critical to understand the impact of your divorce on what would ha...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Estate Planning Essentials for Parents

A comprehensive estate plan can protect the things that matter most. For many, this means their property ...

Life Planning, Planning for Your Pets, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Planning for the Care of Your Pet: How to Include Your Pet in Your Estate Plan

If your pet is beloved as a family member, you likely want to ensure that he or she will be well cared fo...

Family Financial Planning, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
Estate Taxes in Trump’s America

Donald Trump has proposed a radical tax reform agenda for his presidency. Part of this reform is his inte...

Same Gender Couples, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
(Re)Defining Family: Estate Planning for the Post-Nuclear Family

Blended families, unmarried couples, assistive reproductive technology (ART) and same-sex unions and marr...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Three Health Care Documents You Need to Include in Your Estate Plan

Decisions about your health care are some of the most important you will ever make. Don’t put off making ...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Incorporate Family Values in Your Estate Planning

Baby boomers know money isn’t the only important aspect of estate planning. A 2012 study released by the ...

Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
Power of Attorney - What is it and Is it Enough?

Power of attorney (POA) is a document that grants a specific person, called an agent, the authority to ma...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Is Your Family “Too Young” to Need an Estate Plan?

Young families face different estate planning needs and challenges than those who have had a long life be...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Live Before You Die

In Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University, he said: “Remembering that I’ll be dead s...

Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
Estate Planning After Marriage Equality: What All Couples Should Know

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex couples nationwide f...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Why You Need to Update Your Estate Plan After These Life Events

Too many estate plans are created and then quickly forgotten, put on a shelf, and never looked at again. ...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Discuss Estate Planning With Aging (or Sick) Loved Ones - Part 2

In our last newsletter, we shared the first part of our article on how to discuss estate planning with ag...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Discuss Estate Planning With Aging (or Sick) Loved Ones - Part 1

Someone you love is aging. Or maybe, facing a potentially terminal illness. And you know it’s time for th...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Can Facing Your Death Actually Increase Happiness During Life?

Bhutan is an independent state in Southeast Asia, bordered by China to the north and India to the south. ...

Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Life Changes that Require an Update to Your Estate Plan

Even if you do not have an estate plan that you’ve created, the State has one for you. And it’s likely on...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
What You Can Learn from the Clintons’ Tax Returns

In anticipation of the election and in response to public demand, Hillary and Bill Clinton have released ...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
The Four Tricky Cons of 2016

Electronic technology has brought about tremendous benefits for today’s society. We can access goods, ser...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Continue Your Family Values for Generations

Most of us want to make a mark in the world. That’s a big part of what gives our lives meaning. And wheth...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Writing Your Life Story: Why

How often do you wish you knew more about your family? When we’re young, we don’t necessarily pay attenti...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Kids Protection Planning, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
Kelly Clarkson Starts Blended Family: What She Needs to Consider

Starting a new family is always exciting and even a tad scary. This natural apprehension can be enhanced ...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
Life Is Multifaceted: Teach a Child to Be Open and Embrace Complexities

When you picture a “normal” family, what do you see? Is it the traditional notion of one male parent and ...

Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Parenting: Build Your Child’s Resilience to Support Their Ultimate Success

If you are like most parents, your primary objective is to support your children to be prepared to handle...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Recent Superstar Death Brings Estate Planning to the Forefront of Discussion

The untimely death of superstar Prince has brought a surprising issue to American living rooms: estate pl...

Conscious Divorce, Estate Planning
Financial Myths About Getting a Divorce

If your marriage is on the rocks, one of your many worries is probably the impact divorce will have on yo...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Talking with Your Family About Your Estate Plan

Is it time to have “the talk” with your kids? We’re not talking about a “birds and bees” talk but one tha...

Life Planning, Planning for Your Pets, Estate Planning
Pets in Your Will

For those of us who have pets that would be left behind after we die, there may be a desire to make arran...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Could This Happen to You or Your Loved One? Town Demolishes House While Owner Is in Hospital

Imagine this: your elderly uncle with no family near his home travels South to Florida for surgery and ha...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Family Financial Traditions

To some degree or another, we are all a function of the social environments in which we were raised. Of c...

Asset Protection, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Pass On Family Heirlooms Without Causing a Family Feud

The holidays are traditionally the time for family gatherings, where generations come together and perfor...

Asset Protection, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How To Leave Your Home To Your Kids

Many parents want to know the best way to leave a home to their children. Before you make a plan, you sho...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
What Is a Trust?

A trust is a legal creation set up to benefit someone or something. For example, some people set up trust...

Estate Planning
Consider Your Estate Plan Before Your Summer Travel

It’s summer, when travel is the busiest and careful planning is necessary to nab the best airfare or book...

Family Financial Planning, wills and trusts, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
Estate Planning for Blended Families

The term “blended family” has become commonplace in our society and refers to a family where one or both ...

Family Financial Planning, wills and trusts, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
Estate Planning with Gifts to Grandchildren

If you are in your “golden years” and are looking for ways to spread your wealth, you should consider the...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Protecting Your Child with a Special Needs Trust

When you have a family member with special needs, it is important to understand that your estate planning...

wills and trusts, Estate Planning
5 Ways to Keep Your Family Out of Court After You Die

You have likely heard over and over that there are many advantages to creating a comprehensive estate pla...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Protect Family Heirlooms From a Family Feud

The passing of family heirlooms from one generation to another should be welcome tradition in most famili...

Family Financial Planning, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
How to Benefit from an Estate Plan When You Own Real Estate

Many parents believe that by adding a child’s name to a property deed, they can pass along the property o...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
What Every Single Parent Needs to Know About Estate Planning

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

Family Financial Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Legacy Planning: Leaving More to Your Loved Ones Than Money That Will Be Lost Quickly

The assets you leave to your loved ones can either be a source of relief or, sometimes, a source of panic...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
5 Steps to Fix Your Battered Retirement Plan

It’s no secret that a majority of Americans are ill-prepared for retirement. A recent Forbes.com post det...

Family Financial Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Why Not Every Child Should be Equal When It Comes to Your Estate Plan

It is natural for parents to want to treat their children equally when it comes to inheritances. However,...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Estate Planning for Your Digital Afterlife

If you’re like most Americans, you have a rich digital life. You may bank online, invest online and certa...

Asset Protection, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Is Your Living Trust Really Going to Work For the People You Love?

Traditionally, one of the primary reasons for establishing a living trust has been to avoid probate. But ...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
What You Can Learn From the Estate Planning Mistakes of Others

There is much to be learned from the mistakes of others and the celebrity world abounds with cautionary t...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Fund Your Trust to Avoid Probate

A common estate planning mistake many people make – including celebrities like Michael Jackson – is not e...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
5 Things You Need to Know Before You Name Beneficiaries

Once you have chosen the people you want to receive any of your assets -- either from a will, a trust, a ...

Family Financial Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
What Families Need to Know About Debt After Death

The poverty rate among seniors is rising, giving rise to the question of whether or not it is possible to...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
Family Loans Must Be Made Properly to Avoid Tax Repercussions

The recession made many parents and grandparents into personal bankers, making loans to strapped children...

Asset Protection, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
10 Items That Should be Evaluated During an Estate Plan Review

Estate planning is an ongoing process, and plans should be reviewed with a qualified estate planning atto...

wills and trusts, Estate Planning
The Importance of Providing for Incapacity in Your Estate Plan

Avoiding the need for a conservatorship – the process whereby someone is appointed by a court to assume r...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Unintended Consequences from the Case of the Missing Will

Even the best intentions can have unintended consequences when it comes to estate planning. A case now wi...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, wills and trusts, Conscious Divorce, Estate Planning
The Pros and Cons of Prenuptial Agreements

Americans today are getting married later in life. Currently, the average age of a first marriage is 27 f...

Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
What Women Need to Know About Estate Planning

Women outlive men, make less during their careers and have less in savings due to pay discrepancies and t...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Caring for Elderly Parents, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Asset Protection: When a Will Won’t Work

One of the most prevalent misconceptions when it comes to estate planning is that if you have a will, it ...

Kids Protection Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
No More Reasons for Delay in Implementing These 5 Estate Planning Essentials

Last year’s uncertainty about the future of the estate and gift tax caused many people to put their estat...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Help for Dealing with a Parent’s Dementia Diagnosis

Alzheimer’s Disease is in the news again thanks to Academy Award winner Julianne Moore’s performance in t...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning
The Basic Estate Planning Task EVERY Adult Needs to Review Today

With the federal estate tax exemption at $5.43 million for 2015, many people think estate planning is unn...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Robin Williams’ Family Fight Over Personal Property Not So Funny

Robin Williams’ wife Susan has gone to court over personal items she says were taken from the couple’s Ti...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
No One Feeling Good About Continuing Battle Over James Brown Estate

James Brown was known for his signature song, “I Feel Good,” but no one is feeling good about the battle ...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
“And the Estate Planning Oscar Goes To...” Lessons on Film About Family

The film “Black Heirlooms” has not received any Oscar nominations. It was made by 32-year-old Amanda Brow...

Estate Planning
Why Everyone Needs an Agent

Everyone needs an agent – and not the Hollywood type. An agent is someone you designate to handle your es...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Life Lessons From Celebrity Deaths on Updating Your Estate Plan

A new year always brings the sad reviews of notable personalities who have died in the past year. Two not...

Kids Protection Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
10 Tips to Ensure Family Harmony Over Your Estate Plan

When your children were small, you no doubt suffered the challenge of keeping peace in the family. We see...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Why You Should Get Estate Planning Off Your To-Do List in 2015

There are many goals most of us want to accomplish in life, and some of the most important ones center on...

Asset Protection, Celebrity Estate Planning, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Joan Rivers Has Last Laugh Through Use of a Family Trust

Famous comedienne, Joan Rivers, who died unexpectedly on September 4, 2014, from what is alleged to be a ...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
The Final Log-Off: What Happens to Your Data When You Die?

Take a moment and consider how much of your life you live online. If you are like most of us, you bank, p...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
5 Reasons Why You Need to Review Your Estate Plan

Creating an estate plan to protect your financial future and that of your family is just the first step i...

Asset Protection, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Leave an Inheritance for Future Generations with a Trusteed IRA

According to the Investment Company Institute, the use of IRAs for retirement saving has increased in the...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Create a Lifetime of Care for a Special Needs Child

Parents of children with special needs usually share one overriding concern: what will happen to my child...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Hollywood Legend Lauren Bacall Leaves Large Estate and Two Potentially Large Headaches for Heirs

Legendary Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall died on August 12, 2014, leaving behind an estate estimated at ...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
Financial Self-Protection Tips for the Newly Single

Whether you have a lost a spouse or partner through divorce or death, being thrust into singlehood can be...

Asset Protection, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Why Inheriting in Trust is a Must

You bring your children into the world with love. You raise them with love. If you’re going all the way a...

Asset Protection, Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Robin Williams: A Lesson in Deeds, Not Words + One Error in Planning

One of the most eloquent responses to Robin Williams’ death came from his best friend Billy Crystal, who ...

Asset Protection, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Protect Your Real Estate Assets

If you own real estate, chances are you have purchased insurance to protect your assets against damage or...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
If You Don’t Trust Your Kids with Money, You Need a Trust

While most parents have the best intentions when it comes to teaching their children about handling finan...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Casey Kasem’s Estate Planning Not in Anyone’s Top 40

Casey Kasem, the celebrity radio host who counted down America’s Top 40 popular songs for years, died on ...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning
Ask These 5 Questions Before Gifting Assets

Gifting assets can be a useful estate planning tool if you need to reduce your estate tax bill or for lon...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Caring for Elderly Parents, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Legal Steps to Take When Facing a Dementia Diagnosis

Maria Shriver knows the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease firsthand. Her beloved father Sargent Shriver,...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
A Plan for Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset: Your Children

If you have young children, chances are that your summer activities include some careful planning to keep...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Will the Inheritance You Leave Be a Blessing or an Albatross?

Rock musician Sting recently announced that his children will not inherit his estimated $300 million fort...

Asset Protection, Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How Real Men Celebrate Father’s Day

Do you know what it takes to be a real man? Although the expectations of both men and women have evolved ...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Your Memorial Should Be More Than Just Money

One of the most striking aspects of the recent opening of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Unconditional Love Doesn’t Have to Mean Unconditional Inheritance

Most parents love their children unconditionally and want to do whatever they can to smooth life’s rough ...

Estate Planning
Go to Walmart for Bananas, Not Estate Planning

Did you know that the best-selling item at Walmart is bananas? It’s true, and has been for several years....

wills and trusts, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
7 Steps to Creating an Estate Plan That Keeps Your Family Out of Court

Many people fail to create an estate plan because they don’t truly understand what is involved and theref...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
The Wealth Creation Trust: A Gift That Keeps On Giving

The perfect gift for your child or grandchild on the occasion of their birth, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Sweet 1...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Vacations Are the Perfect Time for Families to Talk About Estate Planning

If you are like most Americans, you will probably be spending at least some of your vacation time this su...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Why DIY Estate Planning is a Bad Idea For the People You Love

America is a nation of do-it-yourselfers, but building a deck and creating a legally valid estate plan ar...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Law and Disorder: The Jerry Orbach Estate Battle

Jerry Orbach, who starred as Detective Lennie Briscoe in the popular “Law and Order” television series, d...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Give While You Live to Avoid a Family Feud

A recent article in the New York Post about brothers battling over a painting from their uncle’s estate s...

Estate Planning
What’s Changed In Your Life?

Estate planning is not a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. Your life changes, your assets change, the...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
Another Actor’s Estate Plan Screwed Up By His Lawyer

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman’s will has been filed for probate and provides a cautionary ta...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
Subject: Receiving an Inheritance One Day? Here’s What to Do Now.

Baby boomers are set to inherit up to $8.4 trillion over the next 15 years, according to The Center for R...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
5 Fast & Furious Estate Planning Lessons from Paul Walker’s Estate

Paul Walker, who starred in the Fast & Furious movie franchise, died tragically in a high speed car a...

Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
The Perfect Solution for Choosing Your Child’s Guardian

If you have minor children and have not yet selected a guardian, you are not unlike many parents who put ...

Asset Protection, Enlightened Insurance, Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
4 Steps You Should Take to Protect Your Money

Asset protection is not something most people think too deeply about. Most of us are busy trying to accum...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Preserve a Family Vacation Home with a Trust

If you are fortunate enough to have a family vacation home, you know the emotional value it holds for eve...

Estate Planning
How to Use Estate Planning to Leave a Legacy Beyond What You Own

Your estate is made up of everything you own, which includes your personal possessions as well as your ho...

Estate Planning
Think About Your Beneficiary Designations Over the Holidays

When you look around your holiday table this year, you will probably not be thinking about the beneficiar...

Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Pass Along Family Heirlooms Peacefully

A recent Wall Street Journal article noted that boomers and seniors are more interested in passing along ...

Estate Planning
10 Estate Planning Questions to Ask Before Year-End

If you have not revisited your estate plan this year following the changes made to the estate and gift ta...

Asset Protection, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
7 Reasons to Consider a Trust for Your Family

Do you consider trusts to be instruments of the wealthy? While it is true that many Americans of means ha...

Estate Planning Mistakes, Life Planning, Planning for Your Pets, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Create a Plan to Ensure Your Pet’s Care

Most of us who have a pet consider them to be a part of the family; unfortunately, the plans we may have ...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Why Estate Planning is for Life, Not Death

We know that no one likes to think about death, especially their own. Which is why many people procrastin...

Estate Planning
Tips & Rules for Estate Executors and Administrators

If you have been named the executor of someone’s estate or the Trustee of a Trust, you may be unaware of ...

Kids Protection Planning, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Care for Children with Special Needs Through Estate Planning

For many people, the basics of estate planning are simple enough, but for those families with loved ones ...

Kids Protection Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Consider Your Estate Plan Before You Travel

We are fast approaching the holidays, when travel is the busiest and careful planning is necessary to nab...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How Much Do You Charge for a Will?

If you came to this page to find out what I’ll charge you for a Will or you are considering calling me (o...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
The 10 Keys to Planning and Living Your Best Retirement

Three-day weekends like the Labor Day just passed give us all the tiniest snippet of a glimpse into what ...

Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
Taking the Complexity Out of Estate Planning

Remember that old joke: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. At the heart of that gag ...

Conscious Divorce, Estate Planning
Divorce After 50: Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Retirement

Beyond the emotional impact that divorce can have on couples of any age that decide to split, it can have...

Asset Protection, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
7 Good Reasons You Need An Estate Plan -- Even If You Only Have $500 in the Bank

Contrary to popular belief, estate planning is not just about money or taxes. Far from it. Today, it’s mo...

Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
Why You Should Get Your Kids an Estate Plan

We are fairly certain the last thing your 18-year-old kid is thinking about is an estate plan. And you ar...

Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
How to Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft When a Loved One Dies

A new trend in identity theft – afterlife identity theft – is on the rise, with thieves scouring obituari...

Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Planning for What Happens Last

Seth Godin is a well known and oft-quoted American entrepreneur who has authored 13 best sellers that hav...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
Making a Plan for Your Digital Assets

According to a 2011 McAfee study, Americans value the digital assets they own across multiple digital dev...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
The Talk You Need to Have With Your Parents

When you were a kid, your parents dreaded the talk they had to have with you. You know the one. Well, now...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Awakened Parenting, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Avoid Family Conflict When Making an Estate Plan

Unfortunately, money has a habit of bringing out the worst in people, even in the best of families. One o...

wills and trusts, Estate Planning
For Estate Planning, There is No Fix –It-And-Forget-It

It’s hard to believe that people who spend a lifetime working hard to accumulate wealth spend little or n...

Kids Protection Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
Best Mother’s Day Gift Ever? The Kids Protection Planning Kit®

By now, the flood of floral commercials has already reminded us that Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12. But ...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
5 Key Decisions to Make With Your Spouse Before You Retire

Retirement decision-making for boomers is very different than it was for our parents, when it was usually...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
The Digital Afterlife Debate: What Happens to Your Online Assets After You’re Gone

The digital afterlife debate over who owns the online assets of someone who has died has been in the news...

Caring for Elderly Parents, Awakened Parenting, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
The Conversation You Must Have With Your Kids and Your Parents

Every single adult needs to have an advance health care directive written, signed and in place. This incl...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Estate Planning Mistakes, Estate Planning
What You Can Learn From Three-Time NYC Mayor Ed Koch’s Will About Your Estate Planning

Three-time New York City Mayor Ed Koch died on Feb. 1, leaving an estate estimated between $10-$11 millio...

Celebrity Estate Planning, Kids Protection Planning, Estate Planning
What We Can Learn From Downton Abbey About Estate Planning

Downton Abbey – the PBS drama about the fortunes and misfortunes of an aristocratic British family in the...

Family Financial Planning, Estate Planning
New Social Security Rules and Services for 2013

There have been a number of new rules and services implemented by the Social Security Administration for ...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Secure Your Personal Information Online

Most of us conduct a lot of our personal business online these days, so the necessity of being savvy when...

Asset Protection, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
Tips to Help You Reboot Your Retirement Plan

Planning for a long and prosperous retirement is no longer just about the money; because of the recession...

Life Planning, Estate Planning
How to Talk to a Loved One About Estate Planning

Estate planning rarely comes up in the course of regular conversation and if it does, it is usually invol...

Enlightened Insurance, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Estate Planning
Longevity Insurance Can Help Those Worried About Outliving Their Money

With longer life spans comes the necessity to be sure your money is around at least as long as you are. L...

Blended Family Issues, Estate Planning
Estate Planning for the Blended Family

Balancing the needs of a multi-generational blended family with your own wishes can be a complicated task...

Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Save Money On Your Taxes, Estate Planning
Planning for Estate Taxes in 2013 and Beyond

What will happen to estate taxes in 2013? Right now, you may as well try to predict what the weather will...

Life Planning, Planning for Your Pets, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Create a Pet Trust

There is no doubt we are a nation of pet lovers. Unfortunately, the law as it is currently written views ...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Family Financial Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
How to Correctly Name Beneficiaries for Your IRAs

You could be unintentionally reducing your family’s wealth potential if you do not properly designate the...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Family Financial Planning, Life Planning, Planning for Seniors, Planning for Your Pets, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
What a Will Won’t Do

There are a number of essential things a last will and testament can do for you, such as distribute famil...

Asset Protection, Estate Planning Mistakes, Kids Protection Planning, Family Financial Planning, wills and trusts, Estate Planning
Avoid these 10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes

As a Personal Family Lawyer®, I see many of the same estate planning mistakes made time and again by peop...

Asset Protection, Conscious Divorce, Estate Planning
How to Protect Your Assets from a Child’s Divorce

A child’s wedding day is one of the happiest occasions in life for most parents, especially when they app...

PFL firms in your area

virginia

Hi, I’m Pam Starsia. I became a Personal Family Lawyer because I’m passionate about educating and empowering people to create estate, life, ...

Juniper Law, PLLC

I became a Personal Family Lawyer to help people like you and families like yours plan for the future. Facing the potential for incapacity a...

Das Law, PLLC

Let’s talk about your death . . . or incapacity. If something unfortunate happens, what will happen to your assets that you’ve worked so har...

Legacy Lawyers, PLLC

Hi. I’m John W. Heck. I became a Personal Family Lawyer because I have seen the consequences of failed estate planning in my immediate famil...

Edris Law

In my practice, I focus on Family Protection, Wealth Preservation, and Value-Based Planning. I’m also experienced with wealth planning strat...

Brown Law Offices

Lisa Brown Esq. is the principal attorney for Brown Law Offices. She received her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and ...

Millennium Attorney

Naureen Rahman has been practicing law for over twenty years in the Maryland, DC-Metropolitan area. She has practiced across numerous sector...

Reflections Life Planning, LLC

I love being able to guide my clients through a unique planning process that empowers them to live a financially fulfilling life now while e...

I am an attorney dedicated to helping families in Virginia navigate the world of estate planning. With over 22 years of legal experience, I'...

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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?

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