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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 ...

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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.

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

Create a Stronger Blended Family Through Estate Planning

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

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 Before You Travel: Why It's Critically Important

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

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...

What Parents of Young Adults Need to Know During a Medical Crisis | PFL®

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

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...

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...

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 ...

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’...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Managing Your Digital Accounts After Death: Facebook & Google | PFL®

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Estate Planning for Family Heirlooms & Keepsakes | PFL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Does Your Family Need Umbrella Insurance?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4 Reasons Why Estate Planning Is So Essential For Business Owners

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Pass Down Your Family Wealth Legacy During The Holidays

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

FAQs About Long-Term Care Insurance

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

10 Things You Should Know About Living Wills | PFL®

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

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

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

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

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

How Estate Planning Can Bring Blended Families Closer

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

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...

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 Must-Haves For Single Parents | PFL®

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

Estate Planning 101: Wills vs. Trusts | PFL®

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

3 Estate Planning Issues For LGBTQ Couples—Part 2

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

3 Estate Planning Issues For LGBTQ+ Couples—Part 1

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

The Perfect Father’s Day Gift for Every Father

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

3 Vital Estate Planning Documents For High School Graduates

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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