Estate Planning

Planning an estate can feel overwhelming as balancing emotions and practical needs is not easy. Many people focus on foundational tools like wills or trusts. But thoughtful estate planning goes beyond these documents. Considering other strategies can protect loved...

Maybe you’ve decided to embrace the ritual of “Swedish death cleaning” (what many people would simply call “decluttering”) in advance of moving to a smaller home. Maybe you just want to sort through things that have been collecting dust over the years and decide what...

Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most joyful milestones, but it also brings questions about how to safeguard your family’s future. For young married couples, planning ahead can provide peace of mind and protect your growing household. One powerful tool many...

Naming friends as beneficiaries in an estate plan is becoming an increasingly common practice, especially as family structures evolve and close friendships play a larger role in people’s lives.  Whether someone has no immediate family, is estranged from relatives or...

As people solidify their holiday plans, some decide that having the whole family together under one roof provides the best opportunity they’ll get to discuss their estate plan. If you’re preparing to put your plan in place, you may want to talk with your adult...

If you and your partner have been in a long-term relationship that you expect to continue, you may have decided that you have no need to get married. That’s a choice that many couples make for a multitude of reasons. Often, it’s as simple as, “If it’s not broke, don’t...

Families come in many forms, and blended families are becoming increasingly common. Couples with children from previous relationships are creating new, loving and dynamic households. But blended families face unique challenges when planning for the future. Without a...

All adults should ensure they have an estate plan in place so their loved ones know how to handle their final affairs. Creating the estate plan can be a challenging undertaking, but it’s not something that can be done once and forgotten. The estate plan isn’t going to...

Passing on a valuable collection—whether it’s art, jewelry, classic cars, coins, wine or sports memorabilia—requires careful planning. Failing to plan properly can lead to disputes, tax issues and/or loss of value over time.  A well-structured estate plan can help to...

If you use an incentive trust in your estate plan, it is a unique way to pass money to a beneficiary. You are essentially able to give them different incentives or goals. This way, you can influence their behavior by determining when they should get access to their...