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Estate Planning on a sticky note near calculator and reading glasses

The Hidden Gender Gap in Estate Planning—and How to Close It

You have probably heard of the gender pay gap. But there is also another common disparity: the estate planning gender gap. Although the two are interrelated to some extent—earning less than men puts women on an unequal path to investment and retire… Read More
Deed To A House

Caution: Using a Do-it-Yourself Deed to Avoid Probate Can Lead to Costly Unintended Consequences

One goal of estate planning is to ensure that your assets, including your home, pass to your chosen beneficiaries quickly and with minimal expense. In real estate, a common strategy to avoid probate (the court process of validating a will and distrib… Read More
Succession planning sign and figurines with arrows.

Business Succession: Why Planning for Absence and Incapacity Is Indispensable for Business Owners

As a business owner, you have likely considered establishing an estate plan to ensure your company’s continued success after your passing. However, comprehensive estate planning also addresses what will happen if you become mentally incapacitated (… Read More
Person using a calendar and note pad for planning

How to Get Organized to Meet with Your Estate Planning Attorney

You have decided to meet with an estate planning attorney to get your affairs in order and ensure that your loved ones are protected. Now that you have scheduled the appointment, it is time to get yourself organized and prepare for the first meeting.… Read More
Notebook with Inheritance written on the front, image of car, home and family in wood cut out

Why Receiving an Inheritance Changes Your Estate Plan

Receiving an inheritance can be a meaningful and transformative experience, but it can also create challenges if not handled thoughtfully. Without a clear plan, an inheritor may struggle to manage newly acquired assets, face creditor or tax issues, o… Read More
foster children hugging guardian and holding teddy bears

Foster Children in an Estate Plan

A foster child may come into your life through the court system, an agency, or your own extended family. However it begins, the relationship can grow into something deeply personal, with the unshakable feeling that this child is yours. However, the l… Read More
Photo of two fingers of a loving couple as unmarried partners

Committed, Protected, Prepared: Estate Planning Tips for Unmarried Couples

More couples than ever are building deep, lasting relationships without ever walking down the aisle and staying as an unmarried couple. Whether by choice, circumstance, or principle, many Americans are opting out of marriage—but not out of commitme… Read More
when to update an estate plan

Estate Plans Age Too: How to Keep Yours Fresh and Effective

Your estate plan is one of the most important sets of legal tools you will ever create. An estate plan is designed to protect you, your loved ones, and your money and property. It can minimize taxes and fees and ensure that your loved ones are taken… Read More
Hands covering wooden family figurines

Avoid These Common and Expensive Mistakes: How to Leave Assets to Minor Children

You love your children and want to ensure that they are always taken care of. The desire to provide for them may also be shared by their grandparents, aunts, and uncles. However, when leaving money and property to minor children, even the best intent… Read More
Red Wooden Blocks with letters that spell LEGACY in yellow, in front of an open laptop with a sticky note on it

Treating Children Fairly Does Not Necessarily Mean Equally

Parents generally try to treat all their children fairly. We often assume that fairness means leaving an equal inheritance to each child. However, “fair” does not always mean “equal.” A thoughtful estate plan considers each child’s unique c… Read More