After creating an estate plan - whether a will or a trust - clients often ask, “When should I update my estate plan?” The simple answer is–whenever necessary! Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and change.  In this post, I will focus on change. There are numerous occasions...

In today's digital age, convenience is king. With just a few clicks, you can order groceries, book travel, and yes, even create an estate plan online. While the allure of do-it-yourself solutions may seem tempting, there's one crucial aspect that online services lack – personalized expertise. In this blog post,...

Special needs planning is designed to provide a secure and supportive future for individuals with disabilities, ensuring their needs are met long after their caregivers have passed. In this post, we will explore who benefits from special needs estate planning, when and why it is crucial and the compassionate foundation...

“Do I have enough wealth to justify setting up a trust?” This is a common question. Many people (attorneys included) are under the impression there is some magical dollar amount of wealth one must attain before a Living Trust makes sense. Simple answer, is that no such magical amount exists....

Trusts are essential tools for managing your assets and ensuring your wishes are carried out efficiently. However, not all trusts are the same, and whether you need a trust (if you are reading this you probably do) and what type of trust you need depends on your circumstances and your...

Caring for a loved one with special needs involves unique challenges, including financial planning for their future well-being. Special Needs Trusts, sometimes referred to as Supplemental Needs Trusts,  are powerful tools designed to provide for individuals with special needs while preserving their eligibility for government assistance programs. What is a...

Confused about Estate Planning and don't know where to start? Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions that may help:     Do I need an estate plan? Yes, if you have any assets and care about who receives them after your passing, as well as who will oversee their...

When it comes to estate planning, two common tools often come to mind: wills and trusts. But how do you know which you need? Both provide for distribution of your property after your death. However, wills and trusts operate differently and come with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here, we'll compare...

So, you have been named as a trustee of a trust, and this comes with “powers.” What exactly does that entail? In this blog post, I will review the basics of the role of a trustee. What are Trustee Powers? The powers of a trustee of a trust can vary...

Starting a business can have significant implications for your estate plan, as it will likely affect your assets and liabilities, and potentially impact your family's financial security in the future. Here are a few ways that starting a business could affect your estate plan: 1. Reassess your assets: Starting a...

Today’s financial and estate planning tools give us lots of options when it comes to looking after our human loved ones postmortem, such as life insurance, wills, trusts, holding property jointly, etc. But what about our other loved ones—our pets? Introducing the Pet Trust! What is a pet trust? A...

Estate planning involves the creation of legal documents that provide for the disposition of your estate when you pass away or become incapacitated. Your estate includes all of your possessions—your real estate, automobiles, bank accounts, investments, life insurance and personal belongings. Having an estate plan gives you control over how...

There are many different ways to prepare for your future with your estate planning attorney. There are many different types of documents, plans, and decisions that you have to make when deciding how you want to distribute your estate. When looking at the options and deciding what estate plan is...

When deciding your estate plan, there are many things you have to think about. Choosing the right plan, executing and organizing the documents, and meeting with your attorney are all part of the job of planning what will happen to your estate. But one thing that is integral to the process...