As Congress considers sweeping new tax legislation, it’s a good time to start preparing for potential changes that could benefit both individuals and business owners. From restoring 100% bonus depreciation for business asset purchases to increasing the child tax credit and lifting the SALT deduction cap, this proposed bill could reshape your financial landscape. Now is the time to understand what these changes might mean for you—and how to use strategic planning to take advantage of them before they potentially expire in 2028. READ MORE
Posts Categorized: Estate Planning
Pride Month & Planning: Securing a Legacy That Lasts
Pride Month is a time to celebrate love, identity, and family in all forms – but it’s also a powerful reminder that legal protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families aren’t always guaranteed. In this blog, I share why thoughtful planning – beyond just a basic will – is essential to safeguard your rights, ensure your wishes are honored, and protect the people you love most, no matter what the law or future may hold. READ MORE
Why You Need to Update Your Estate Plan After These Major Life Events
Your estate plan isn’t a one-and-done task – it needs to be reviewed regularly, especially after big life changes. Whether you’re getting married, going through a divorce, welcoming a child, facing illness, or acquiring new assets, these events can impact how your plan works when your loved ones need it most. In this blog, I walk through the seven key moments when it’s essential to update your estate plan to avoid confusion, court, or conflict in the future. READ MORE
The Missing Will Mystery: How Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s Estate Chaos Could Have Been Avoided
Tony Hsieh’s unexpected death left his $500 million estate in turmoil for years—until a mysterious will surfaced five years later. This real-life story reveals how even the wealthy can fall into estate planning pitfalls and how a Life & Legacy Plan could have prevented the conflict, confusion, and court costs his family endured. READ MORE
Want to Be an Awesome Parent? Stop Stressing and Focus on Self-Care
Taking care of your kids doesn’t mean sacrificing your well-being. In fact, research shows that when parents are stressed, anxious, or burned out, it can negatively impact their children. This blog explores why self-care—like mindfulness meditation—isn’t just good for you, but also essential for being the calm, present parent your kids need. Plus, we share how creating a Life and Legacy Plan can give you peace of mind knowing your children are protected, no matter what happens. READ MORE
Beyond Remembrance: How Memorial Day Can Inspire You to Leave a Lasting Legacy
Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country—but it can also serve as a reminder for each of us to reflect on the legacy we’ll leave behind. As a life and legacy planning attorney, I often see how meaningful it is for families when their loved ones take the time to plan ahead. This blog explores how Memorial Day can inspire you to think beyond remembrance and take practical steps to ensure your values, stories, and assets are preserved for the next generation. READ MORE
Why Business Owners Need More Than a Simple or Cheap Estate Plan
If you’re a business owner, a basic will or cheap estate plan isn’t enough to protect what you’ve built. Without the right coordination between your personal estate plan and your business documents, your loved ones could face court delays, legal conflicts, and unnecessary costs. This blog explains why business owners need a more comprehensive planning approach—and how aligning your estate and business plans can secure your legacy and ensure a smooth transition when the time comes. READ MORE
Understand What’s At Stake Before Agreeing to Serve as Trustee
Before you agree to serve as trustee for a loved one’s trust, it’s essential to understand what the role actually involves. Being a trustee means taking on serious legal and financial responsibilities – and if handled improperly, it can lead to personal liability. In this blog, we walk you through what trustees do, when it might be best to say no, and how you can get the guidance you need to fulfill the role successfully. READ MORE
A Mother’s Legacy: The Most Enduring Gift of Love
This Mother’s Day, consider a gift that lasts forever. Estate planning isn’t just about assets – it’s a powerful way to continue protecting, nurturing, and guiding your loved ones long after you’re gone. Discover how to turn your love into a lasting legacy. READ MORE
How to Proactively Plan for the Challenges of Caring for Aging Family Members
Caring for aging parents and loved ones is one of the greatest challenges many families face today. Without a plan, the financial, emotional, and logistical strain can take a heavy toll. In this article, we explore how proactive estate planning in 2025 can help you protect your loved ones, reduce stress, and create a clear path forward — with dignity, compassion, and security. READ MORE
The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025: What It Could Mean for You and Your Loved Ones
The proposed Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025 could eliminate the federal estate tax entirely, significantly impacting how wealth is passed between generations. In this blog, we explore what the repeal might mean for your family, how it could shift estate planning strategies, and why it’s more important than ever to have a flexible Life & Legacy Plan in place. READ MORE
How to Preserve Your Family Values for Generations to Come
Your financial assets are only part of the legacy you leave behind — your family values, life lessons, and personal stories are just as important, if not more. Preserving your true legacy doesn’t have to be difficult. With simple tools like video or audio recordings, you can easily share your wisdom, traditions, and heartfelt messages with future generations. And with a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan that includes a Life and Legacy Interview, you can ensure your family treasures not only what you built, but who you are. READ MORE
10 Guardian Mistakes That Could Put Your Kids at Risk (And How to Do It Right)
Most parents think that simply naming guardians in a will is enough to protect their kids, but the truth is – it’s not. If something unexpected happens to you, without the right legal documents in place, your children could be temporarily taken into the care of strangers, or even placed in the foster system. In this blog, we explore the 10 most common mistakes parents make when it comes to naming guardians – and how a comprehensive Kids Protection Plan® can ensure your children are always cared for by the people you trust most. READ MORE
How to Incorporate Family Values into Your Estate Plan
Estate planning isn’t just about passing on your money—it’s about preserving your legacy. In today’s world, your stories, values, and life lessons are among the most meaningful gifts you can leave behind. By thoughtfully incorporating these into your estate plan through recorded messages, legacy letters, and intentional planning, you ensure that your family’s heritage lives on for generations. This blog explores how to weave your family values into your legal documents, so your loved ones inherit not just your wealth, but your wisdom. READ MORE
The $700 Million Mistake: Why an Asset Inventory Is an Essential Part of Your Estate Plan
Imagine losing $700 million because of a simple mistake. That’s exactly what happened to a man who accidentally threw away the only key to his Bitcoin fortune—forever locking it away. While most of us don’t have that kind of money, the lesson is clear: if you don’t keep track of what you own and where it is, your assets could be lost for good. In this blog, we explore how creating an up-to-date asset inventory can protect your family from stress, loss, and conflict—and why it’s a critical (yet often overlooked) part of every estate plan. READ MORE