Blog

Learn how to put your house in a trust if you have a mortgage. Discover how the Garn-St. Germain Act protects you from due-on-sale clauses for grantor trusts.

Discover 4 essential estate planning for couples moves to make when getting married, including name changes, home ownership, and updating beneficiaries.

Are your funeral arrangements in will documents legally binding? Learn why these wishes might not be followed and how to secure your plans with a better strateg

When my grandparents bought their home in the 1950s, it was uncommon for a married couple to own property jointly. At the time, married persons were generally considered to be a single economic unit, and sole ownership by the husband was the norm. Things have certainly changed since then, but...

Learn about the documents required for a complete estate plan, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, to protect your assets and your loved ones.

We hear this question all the time: "If I just add my child to my bank account, does that take care of my estate planning?” It’s a completely reasonable thing to wonder. After all, if your child is already on the account, the money goes straight to them when you...

Does having a will avoid probate for your family? Learn why a will alone does not skip the probate process and explore estate planning tools that actually do.

Financial power of attorney vs. living trust—what’s the difference? Learn how each works and why most estate plans need both.

I love spring. The air grows warm, the days stretch longer, and the earth wakes up in every shade of green. There is something genuinely hopeful about it. But spring also carries a quiet sadness for me. I lost my spouse six years ago in April. To this day, the...

Losing a loved one is tough, and the thought of navigating the estate process, especially while grieving, can be daunting. While probate is the legal process necessary to transfer assets from the deceased person's name to their heirs or beneficiaries, it is not always required. Let’s look at common situations...

Grieving the loss of a family member is one of life’s most challenging experiences. The emotional weight of loss is compounded by stress and confusion, particularly when your loved one did not plan ahead. Without clear guidance from the deceased, families are left to navigate funeral arrangements, property sales, and...

When you hear the word “estate,” what comes to mind? For many people, it conjures images of sprawling mansions with acres of manicured land. Others might think of estate sales, where a lifetime’s worth of possessions are sold after someone passes away. Still others associate it with real estate transactions,...

When it comes to passing on your property to friends and family, you have options. Some formal, some informal. While informal methods might seem simpler in the moment, understanding the differences between approaches can help ensure your wishes are actually carried out. Let's explore the various ways people plan for...

A courtroom is a fantastic place for a lawyer to get a real education. I’m telling you, probate court is like a masterclass in “What Not to Do” when it comes to estate planning. I see all sorts of things, but the common theme is always the same: a badly-written...

Estate planning conversations can be awkward. Whether you’re discussing your own plans with loved ones or bringing up the subject with aging parents, these discussions require careful thought and sensitivity. Here are some tips on how to approach these important conversations in a way that strengthens family bonds rather than...

There’s a question that haunts me in the quiet moments: When I’m gone, what will people say my life meant? I used to think the answer would be found in my resume: the titles I held, the projects I completed, the professional milestones I achieved. I thought it would be...

The spooky season is upon us! As the days grow colder and darker, Halloween decorations emerge, and we settle onto the couch for scary movies and candy corn (at least, I do). But there’s something even spookier than any ghost or goblin: the thought of leaving your family to navigate...

Here’s a question I hear all the time. “Do I really need life insurance?” And right behind it comes, “How much should I actually have?” Let me answer the first one right away. Yes, you really should have life insurance as part of your comprehensive estate plan. I remember a...

It's easy to get confused about Living Wills and "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) orders. Many people worry both of these documents mean hospitals won't help you if you need it. But that's not the case at all! In Rhode Island, the Living Will and the DNR are two separate documents...

When people think about estate planning, wills and trusts often come to mind first. But there is a simple tool that can make a big difference in ensuring your assets pass smoothly to your loved ones: beneficiary designations. A beneficiary designation is a simple way to name who will receive...