Understanding Joint Trusts: A Survivor’s Trust vs. A Decedent’s Trust When it comes to estate planning, many married couples choose to share almost everything, including their finances. This often leads to the decision of using a joint living trust instead of two separate ones. While separate trusts offer greater flexibility, a joint trust can be…
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Protecting Everyone You Love, Fairly and Thoughtfully In today’s world, families come in many shapes and sizes. That includes blended families. Whether you have remarried after a previous marriage, have children from prior relationships, or are building a new life with someone who has their own family, estate planning becomes…
Estate Planning Considerations for Military Families Military families face unique estate planning challenges that most civilian families do not. This is especially true when one or more family members are deployed overseas. In addition, members of the military have access to specialized benefits and resources that must be carefully coordinated as part of an effective…
Two Out of Three Americans Die Without a Will. Don’t Be One of Them. Nearly two-thirds of Americans pass away without a will, a legal situation known as dying intestate. When that happens, you lose your voice. Instead of your wishes guiding what happens to your money, property, and loved ones, state law takes over…
An Inheritance Is a Blessing, But Without a Plan, It Can Become a Burden Receiving an inheritance can be life-changing. Done right, it can secure your future and strengthen your family’s legacy. Done wrong, it can disappear faster than you ever imagined. Too often, inheritances are lost because beneficiaries are unprepared. Outstanding debts, tax issues,…
What Is a Devise in My Estate Plan? If you are thinking about creating an estate plan, you may hear some new and confusing terms that make your brain hurt. One of those terms might be devise. If you are picturing an electronic or mechanical device, you are not alone—but in estate planning, a devise…
Leaving a Legacy Through Charitable Giving in Estate Planning Estate planning is not only about protecting and distributing your assets. It is also a powerful opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the causes and organizations that matter most to you. By incorporating charitable giving into your estate plan, you can support meaningful missions such…
Estate Planning Is About More Than Just Passing Down Wealth It Is About Protecting What Matters Most Many people associate estate planning solely with passing assets to their children or grandchildren. While that is certainly an important part, a well crafted estate plan can help you accomplish so much more. From supporting your loved ones…
Equal or Fair? How to Decide What Makes Sense for Your Estate Plan One of the most emotionally complex questions families face during estate planning is whether children or grandchildren should be treated equally or fairly. While the question sounds simple on the surface, the answer is often deeply personal and shaped by family relationships,…
Who Gets Grandma’s Necklace, Your Wedding Ring, or That Handwritten Recipe Book? Most estate plans answer who gets the house or who receives the bank account, but what about the items that carry your heart, not just your net worth? In 2026, families are realizing that the biggest conflicts rarely come from money. They come from…