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…
Funding Your Revocable Trust A Critical Step Many People Miss Many individuals today choose to implement their estate plan through a revocable living trust. One of the primary advantages of a revocable trust is that it helps keep your assets out of the probate process after death. However, that benefit only works if your assets…
Do You Need an Attorney to Update Your Estate Plan? When reviewing your estate planning documents, you may notice small changes that feel simple to fix. For example, you might want to name a new trusted decision maker. It can be tempting to cross out a name and write in a new one yourself. Before…
What Is Trust Decanting? When a bottle of wine is decanted, it is poured from one container into another to improve its quality.Trust decanting works in a similar way. When a trust is decanted, the accounts and property from an existing trust are distributed into a new trust with updated and more favorable terms. Because…
The Holiday Conversation That Could Save Your Family From Future Conflict As the holiday season approaches, families across the world will gather to celebrate, share cherished memories, and enjoy each other’s company. While the holidays are meant to be filled with joy, love, and laughter, they can also bring underlying tensions to the surface—especially when…
Build Your Business on the Right Legal Foundation Starting or transitioning a business is not just about having a great idea. It is about having the right legal foundation. At Ruddy Law Firm, we guide business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs through every stage so your business is protected today and positioned for growth tomorrow. Corporations…