When many people think about estate planning, they imagine a simple will and some papers put away for the future. It does not appear urgent until it suddenly is. And then, the absence of detail…
How a Thoughtful Estate Plan Helped One Woman Get Buried in Her Ferrari
Sandra West, a heiress to an oil fortune and Beverly Hills socialite, made headlines in the 1970s for one of the strangest estate planning stories to date. Her final request? To be buried in her…
Avoid the Probate Headache with a Thoughtful Estate Plan
Probate court is commonly compared to a bad group text. There are too many people, too much chaos, and not enough definition. It can take months, sometimes longer, to settle an estate through probate. Families…
DIY Estate Planning: When it’s Appropriate and When to Seek Professional Help
DIY Estate Planning: It Might Seem Easy. Until It Isn’t. You’ve seen the websites. “Write your will in ten minutes.” “Build a trust without a lawyer.” The promise feels efficient. Clean. Cheap. And for some,…
Estate Planning and Retirement Accounts
Estate Planning and Retirement Accounts: Why It’s About More Than Just the Money Most people think of estate planning in terms of physical assets. The house. The car. The family heirlooms in the attic. But…
Estate Planning for Blended Families
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Planning with Clarity, Protecting What Matters Blended families bring love, resilience, and complexity. With children from previous relationships, new marriages, and sometimes competing priorities, estate planning becomes more than just…
Choosing an Executor or Trustee: Key Considerations
How to Choose the Right Executor or Trustee One of the most important decisions you’ll make in your estate plan is choosing the person who will carry it out. This might be an executor, who…
Basic Estate Planning for Young Adults
Why Young Adults Shouldn’t Wait to Plan Most people in their twenties don’t think twice about estate planning. No spouse, no kids, no major assets—what’s there to plan? But legal control isn’t just for later.…
Essential Estate Planning Documents: What You Need
The Core Documents You Need for a Solid Estate Plan Estate planning isn’t just about deciding who gets what after you’re gone. It’s about making sure the people you trust have the authority they need…
What is estate planning?
Why Estate Planning Matters More Than You Think Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s not just for parents or retirees. It’s for anyone who wants a say in what happens if they become…