Tag: Estate Planning Attorney

How the Holidays Can Inspire Your Family Legacy Planning

Post author By Sara Thomas
Post date December 11, 2024
No Comments on How the Holidays Can Inspire Your Family Legacy Planning

As the holidays approach, many families are busy planning menus, coordinating travel, hitting those holiday bucket list activities, baking treats for friends and neighbors, and preparing for a big feast. While these are important traditions, these cherished holidays offer something even more valuable—a perfect opportunity to think about, discuss, and preserve your family’s legacy.

In this article, you’ll discover practical ways to capture family stories during your holiday gatherings, start meaningful legacy conversations without awkwardness, and transform these precious moments into a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan that protects your family’s values and assets for future generations. This year, consider using your holiday gatherings as a springboard for the meaningful conversations that can shape your family’s future.

The Heart of Legacy Planning: More Than Just Money

When most people think about legacy planning, they often focus solely on financial assets. But proper legacy planning encompasses much more. It’s about preserving your family’s stories, values, traditions, and the wisdom gained through generations. After working with families to support them with their estate planning and being there at the end of life, I’ve learned that these are the things that matter most. Values, insights, stories, experiences, and sentimental items are almost always more important to families than financial assets, though money also matters.

Those moments around the holiday table, sharing old family recipes, telling stories about ancestors, or discussing what matters most to your family are the building blocks of a meaningful legacy. The holidays, with their focus on gratitude and family togetherness, provide an ideal setting to explore these more profound aspects of your legacy.

Using Holiday Gatherings to Plan for the Future

With some planning, the holidays can be a great time to discuss the future. These conversations don’t have to be formal or heavy—they can emerge naturally from your holiday interactions:

Talk About Family Values: When expressing gratitude, encourage family members to share what they value most about being part of the family. These discussions inform how you structure your estate plan to reflect and perpetuate these values.

Discuss Family Philanthropy: If giving back is essential to your family, use this time to talk about causes that matter to everyone. This can lead to meaningful discussions about charitable giving and how to incorporate it into your legacy plan.

Addressing Family Dynamics during holiday gatherings can often reveal important insights to consider in estate planning. Who are the peacemakers? Who might need additional support? Understanding these dynamics can help you create a plan that promotes family harmony rather than conflict. By openly discussing these dynamics, you can ensure that everyone’s needs and concerns are considered, potentially reducing the risk of future family disputes.

Bring Up Your Planning: If you’ve recently completed your estate planning process or plan to before the end of the year or early next year, this is a great time to bring up your plans. Consider saying: “Because I want to make sure that everything is as easy as it can be for you all if something happens to me, I’m doing/did a kind of estate planning called Life & Legacy Planning, and I’d love to share about it with you because you’ll all be impacted. Are you open to having a conversation about that and what we all want to happen for ourselves if we become incapacitated or when we die?”

Understanding your family’s values, philanthropic interests, and dynamics isn’t just about having pleasant conversations—it’s about gathering crucial information to help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that genuinely serves your family and preserves harmony for future generations.

Capturing Your Family’s Story

The holidays are a time for storytelling, a chance to share and preserve the precious memories and important family history that often emerge when families gather and reminisce. This joyful act of capturing family stories not only connects us to our past but also strengthens our bonds for the future. Here are some ways to make these moments even more special:

Record Your Family’s Food Heritage: That special stuffing recipe from your grandmother isn’t just about ingredients—it’s about family history. Document not just the recipe but the story behind it. Why is it important? How has it been adapted over generations? Who taught it to whom? If your relative is still alive, ask them to write out the recipe with essential notes. Having something in their handwriting can be very special for the younger generations.

Create a Family Interview Tradition: Designate time after dinner for family interviews. Have younger family members ask older ones about their childhood, important life lessons, or family history. Record these conversations (with permission) using your phone or video camera. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Share Family Artifacts: Bring out old family photos, letters, or heirlooms. These physical items are not just objects but gateways to our family history and values. They often spark stories and discussions that deepen our appreciation for our family’s journey. Use these moments to explain why certain items are meaningful and what they represent in your family’s legacy.

Making Legacy Planning Part of Your Holiday Tradition

The key to successful legacy planning is making it an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Consider establishing new Thanksgiving traditions that support this goal. Here are a few ideas:

Create a Family Time Capsule: Each year, have family members contribute something meaningful to a time capsule—letters, photos, or small items that represent the year’s important moments.

Start a Family Mission Statement: Work together to create and update a family mission statement that reflects your shared values and goals. This can guide both current decisions and future legacy planning.

Document Family Medical History: While families are together, take time to update your family medical history. This information is crucial for future generations and can inform healthcare decisions.

Remember that legacy planning isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing journey that can be woven into your family’s holiday traditions each year. By incorporating these intentional practices into every holiday gathering, you’re capturing and preserving what matters most and building a stronger foundation for your family’s future. It’s a commitment, a responsibility, and a labor of love that will endure for generations.

How We Help You Create a Lasting Legacy

While holiday conversations are valuable for legacy planning, they’re just the beginning. To protect your family’s legacy and ensure your wishes are fulfilled, you need professional guidance and support to create a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan. Our Life & Legacy Planning process goes beyond traditional estate planning to capture your assets, values, wisdom, and family story. We help ensure that your conversations around the holiday table become a legacy for future generations.

Take the first step toward preserving your family’s legacy. Contact us today to get started.

This article is a service of August Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning™ Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love.

The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.

Tags Estate Plan, Estate Planning Attorney, Family Legacy Planning, Holidays, Personal Family Lawyer

The Hidden Truth About Settling a Loved One’s Estate

Post author By Kylie Casper
Post date December 5, 2024
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When someone names you as their executor, it might feel like an honor – a sign that they trust you to handle their final affairs. However, what many people don’t realize is that being an executor can turn into a demanding part-time (or full-time) job that lasts months or even years, often during a time when you’re also grieving the loss of a loved one. The responsibilities can be overwhelming, from tracking assets to dealing with creditors and managing family dynamics. Then, there are legal obligations and potential personal liability if things aren’t handled correctly. Making complex decisions while processing grief often proves more challenging than most people anticipate. Let’s explore what’s involved in administering someone’s estate and how proper planning can make this process easier for the people you love.

The Unexpected Time Commitment

Most people don’t realize that administering an estate isn’t just reading a will and distributing assets. The process typically begins with locating and gathering all estate planning documents, which can be challenging if they aren’t stored in an easily accessible place. The executor must notify numerous institutions of the death, often requiring multiple copies of death certificates and extensive documentation. This notification process alone can take weeks or even months, as each institution has its requirements and timeline for processing.

The time commitment becomes even more substantial when dealing with financial institutions. Each bank, investment firm, and insurance company has its procedures for handling a deceased person’s accounts. Many require original documents rather than copies, meaning executors spend countless hours making phone calls, writing letters, and visiting institutions in person. The process often involves repeated follow-ups and submission of additional documentation as requested by various institutions.

Property management, another time-consuming process, also falls to the executor. Whether it’s maintaining a house until it can be sold, managing investment accounts, or dealing with personal property, these responsibilities continue throughout the entire administration process. Real estate can be particularly demanding, requiring regular maintenance, payment of utilities and property taxes, and coordination with realtors if the property needs to be sold. Add to this the requirement to file court documents, appear at hearings, and prepare final tax returns, and it becomes clear why estate administration often takes far longer than expected.

This is incredibly challenging because most executors also work full-time jobs and manage their own families while trying to handle these responsibilities. The process can quickly become overwhelming without proper guidance, taking over evenings and weekends for months. The stress of juggling these responsibilities often leads to burnout and can affect personal and professional life.

The Financial and Emotional Costs

Beyond the time commitment, serving as an executor often comes with unexpected financial and emotional burdens. Many executors don’t realize they may need to pay for expenses out of pocket before being reimbursed by the estate. Court filing fees, property maintenance costs, and professional service fees can add up quickly, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars before any reimbursement is possible. In some cases, executors may need to hire attorneys, accountants, or other professionals to handle complex aspects of the estate, further increasing the financial burden.

The emotional toll of serving as executor often proves even more challenging than the financial aspects. Family dynamics frequently become strained during estate administration, as grief and stress can amplify existing tensions. Long-buried conflicts may resurface when it comes time to distribute personal property or interpret ambiguous instructions in estate documents. The executor often finds themselves in the difficult position of maintaining family harmony while fulfilling their legal obligations to the estate.

The pressure increases when executors discover complications like missing documents, incorrectly titled assets, or outdated beneficiary designations. These issues often require lengthy court proceedings, during which family members may grow increasingly impatient or suspicious. Without clear documentation and proper planning, even simple estates can become sources of lasting family conflict. Managing these interpersonal dynamics while handling technical legal requirements can be extraordinarily taxing.

Digital assets also present another layer of complexity that only some executors anticipate. Accessing and managing everything from email accounts to cryptocurrency can become nearly impossible in our increasingly online world without proper password documentation and legal authority. Many digital platforms have complex policies regarding account access after death, and navigating these policies without adequate preparation can lead to lost or inaccessible assets.

How a Life & Legacy Plan Makes a Difference

This is where working with our firm makes all the difference. My Life & Legacy Planning process is explicitly designed to prevent these common challenges and make estate administration as smooth as possible for your loved ones. Rather than simply creating documents, this comprehensive approach ensures that everything your executor or trust administrator needs will be organized and accessible when the time comes. The process includes detailed documentation of your wishes, clear instructions for asset management, and specific guidance for handling digital assets.

When you create a Life & Legacy Plan with me, it will include a complete inventory of regularly updated assets, ensuring everything is noticed and remembered. Your plan will also provide clear instructions about accessing physical and digital assets, eliminating the need for extensive searches or court intervention. You’ll also be supported in creating specific provisions for personal property distribution, helping prevent family conflicts before they arise. By addressing these details in advance, you significantly reduce the burden on your executor or trust administrator and minimize the potential for family disagreements.

Perhaps most importantly, working with me means your family won’t have to figure things out alone. Unlike traditional estate planning, which ends when you sign your documents, our relationship continues with your family. Your executor will have professional guidance through every step of the administration process, making their job significantly more accessible and reducing the likelihood of costly mistakes. This ongoing support helps ensure that your wishes are carried out efficiently and that your loved ones are protected during a difficult time.

Don’t leave your loved ones to navigate the complexities of estate administration alone. Book a call with us today to learn how we can help you create a plan that makes things easier for everyone involved. Contact us today to get started.

Tags Estate Administration, Estate Planning Attorney, Executor, Personal Family Lawyer, Probate, Trust, Will

Estate Planning

Debunking 4 Common Estate Planning Myths

Post author By Sara Thomas
Post date November 8, 2024
No Comments on Debunking 4 Common Estate Planning Myths

You might think estate planning is only for the wealthy or too complicated and expensive. These are just a few myths surrounding estate planning that I hear often. In reality, estate planning is critical for everyone, including you, regardless of age or financial status.

Many people don’t understand what estate planning is – even attorneys sometimes don’t understand it. So, I’ll take this opportunity to set the record straight and debunk some common myths, then explore why you need an estate plan and how to get the right one at the right price.

Myth #1: Estate Planning is Only for the Wealthy

One of the most persistent myths about estate planning is that it’s only necessary if you have significant wealth or valuable assets.

Estate planning isn’t about the size of your estate; it’s about making sure that when something happens to you – as it will – the people you love aren’t left with a big mess to deal with.

Consider this: Do you have a bank account? A car? Personal belongings with sentimental value? A life insurance policy? If you answered yes to any of these, you have an estate. But even more importantly, do you have people you care about? Family members who depend on you? Or people you love who will be stuck dealing with your mess if you don’t care for these things while you can. If so, you need an estate plan.

Estate planning is about more than just distributing assets. It’s about making important decisions that will affect your loved ones. For instance:

Who will take care of your minor children if something happens to you? And how will they take care of them?
Who will make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re incapacitated? How will they make those decisions?
Who will manage your digital assets, like email, social media accounts, or cryptocurrency?
Who will make sure your bills get paid?

These questions apply to everyone, regardless of their net worth. By creating an estate plan, you’re not flaunting wealth; you’re taking responsibility for your life and the people you care about. After all, someone will have to deal with these things. It’s unavoidable. You can do it now and make it easy on your loved ones (and have more control over outcomes), or you can procrastinate it or avoid it altogether and leave the people you love with a complicated and expensive mess to clean up if you become incapacitated or after you die.

Myth #2: Estate Planning is Complicated and Expensive

Another common misconception is that estate planning is overly complex and costly. While it’s true that estate planning involves legal documents and careful consideration, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or break the bank. In fact, we promise to make it as easy as possible for you and within the right budget based on your family dynamics, assets, and needs.

The complexity and cost of your estate plan will depend on your specific situation and goals.

Myth #3: I’m Too Young to Need an Estate Plan

You might think estate planning is something you can put off once you’re older, but this is a dangerous assumption. Life is unpredictable, and having an estate plan in place is crucial regardless of your age.

If you’re a young adult, you might have yet to accumulate much wealth, but you still have important decisions to make. For instance:

Who will manage your social media accounts if something happens to you?
Who will take care of your pets?
What will happen to you if you have a small business or side hustle?
Who will be responsible for paying off your student loans or other debts?

Moreover, estate planning becomes even more critical if you’re a young parent. Your estate plan can designate guardians for your children and set up trusts to manage any assets they might inherit. These provisions are necessary for the court to decide who raises your children, leading to family disputes and potentially placing your children with someone you wouldn’t have chosen.

Even if you’re single with no dependents, an estate plan is critical, maybe even more so, because it’s up to you to determine who will care for you if you cannot care for yourself. You don’t want to leave that to a judge to decide. Your plan will ensure your wishes are respected if you become incapacitated, designate who will make medical decisions for you, and specify how you want your assets distributed. This can prevent conflicts among family members and ensure your hard-earned assets go to the people or causes you care about most.

Remember, estate planning isn’t about planning for your death; it’s about preparing for life and the uncertainties sure to come. It’s about taking control of your future and caring for the people and things you love, no matter your age.

Myth #4: Once I Create an Estate Plan, I’m Done

Another common misconception is that estate planning is a one-time event. In reality, your estate plan should evolve as your life changes. Major life events that might necessitate updates to your estate plan include:

Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption of children
Death of a beneficiary or executor
Significant changes in your financial situation
Purchase of a home or other major asset
Starting a business
Moving to a different state

Even if you have yet to experience significant life changes, reviewing your estate plan at least every three years is essential. However, we recommend you review your assets and how they are titled annually. Laws change, and what was optimal a few years ago might not be the best strategy.

Regular reviews also give you a chance to reconsider your choices. Keeping your estate plan up-to-date ensures it continues to reflect your wishes and provides the best possible protection for your loved ones. Think of it as a living document that grows and changes with you, rather than a static set of instructions. It’s so important that we include regular reviews at least every three years in all our Life & Legacy Plans, and have systems to keep your plan up to date.

How We Help You Take Action Today

Estate planning is not a luxury for the wealthy, a complex process beyond your reach, or something you can put off until later in life. It’s a fundamental aspect of responsible financial planning that everyone should consider.

Our Life & Legacy Planning process is specifically designed to start with getting you educated and organized, so we can support you in choosing the right plan for you and your loved ones. We’ll outline strategies for your assets, prepare for potential incapacity, and ensure your family is cared for, even if the unexpected happens. Our approach includes regular reviews to keep your plan current with life changes, and we even help capture family memories and traditions. With our guidance, you can rest easy knowing your wishes will be honored, your loved ones cared for, and your property protected.

When you consider the peace of mind and potential savings in time, stress, and money for your loved ones down the line, Life & Legacy Planning is often the best way to save your loved ones time and money while also creating optimal value and use of your resources during your own lifetime. Think of it as insurance for your legacy—a small cost now can save your loved ones significant trouble and expense later.

Take the first step towards peace of mind–schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation and learn how we can help you create your personalized Life & Legacy Plan. Contact us today to get started.

Tags Estate Plan, Estate Planning, Estate Planning Attorney, Estate Planning Myths, Personal Family Lawyer

Estate Planning

A Comprehensive Guide to Disaster Preparedness

Post author By Sara Thomas
Post date October 31, 2024
No Comments on A Comprehensive Guide to Disaster Preparedness

In today’s world, where natural disasters and unforeseen events can disrupt our lives immediately, preparedness is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. So, to ensure you and your loved ones are prepared for any emergency situation, I’ve created this comprehensive guide to provide a strong foundation for your financial security and personal well-being. From building an emergency kit to investing wisely and protecting your home, we’ll explore practical steps to ensure you’re ready for any challenge that may come.

First, let’s discover that immediate preparedness can empower you to navigate uncertainties confidently and resiliently.

Immediate Preparedness: Your First Line of Defense

Create a Go-Bag. Your first step in disaster preparedness is to create a “go-bag.” This essential kit should contain items to help you survive for at least three days following a disaster. Pack clothes, toiletries, and any necessary medications. Include non-perishable food and water (or a water filtration device) to sustain you during an emergency. Include copies of important documents such as identification and insurance policies.

You may also include a recent family photo in case someone in your family needs to be identified, as well as a device with pictures of your home and its contents if you need to submit photos for an insurance claim. Having cash in small denominations can also be crucial in an emergency. Lastly, include a flash drive containing digital copies of all your important documents for easy access and portability. We provide this to all of our clients and keep electronic records of your documents as well. Keep your go-bag near your home’s primary exit so you can grab it quickly if you need to evacuate.

Stock Up on Essentials. Beyond your “go-bag,” maintain a 1-3 month supply of non-perishable food at home. This longer-term stock will sustain you through extended emergencies or periods of scarcity. Consider investing in a generator to provide power during outages. Solar power equipment can offer a sustainable energy source during prolonged emergencies. Water filtration devices are also crucial, ensuring you have clean water even if municipal systems fail.

Plan for Extended Independence. Prepare for situations where you might need to live away from home for two weeks to a month. Invest in high-quality camping gear, including robust water filtration systems and efficient cooking equipment. Scout locations in your local community where you could safely hunker down if needed. Familiarize yourself with these areas and plan potential routes to reach them. Some people find investing in a vehicle like a camper van beneficial, equipping it with essential survival gear. This mobile approach to preparedness can provide flexibility in various emergency scenarios.

Financial Preparedness: Building a Strong Foundation

Manage Your Cash Wisely. Smart cash management forms the basis of financial preparedness. Keep between $1,000 and $20,000 in cash at home, stored securely in a safe. Use small bills to facilitate easy exchange in emergencies. Also, maintain 1-12 months of living expenses in a local bank account, but be aware of FDIC limits. The exact amount you keep liquid will depend on your personal situation and how quickly you can generate income, if needed.

Invest in Proper Insurance Coverage. Review your homeowners’ insurance policy carefully to ensure it provides adequate coverage. Your policy should cover entirely replacing your home’s structure and belongings. It should also include “loss-of-use” coverage, which pays for living expenses while your home is being repaired. For comprehensive protection, consider additional policies. Earthquake insurance is crucial in many areas, even those not traditionally associated with seismic activity. Flood insurance, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), is essential as flooding can occur almost anywhere. Look into specialized windstorm or hurricane policies if you live in a high-risk area for hurricanes or tornadoes.

Create a Life & Legacy Plan. Work with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan, which is a comprehensive estate plan that accounts for what happens to you if you were to become incapacitated and what happens to your assets and your family after you die. Together, we’ll ensure your assets aren’t lost to the government, your kids are raised the way you want by the people you wish to if something happens to you, and your family doesn’t end up in court and conflict. Read to the end, and I’ll show you how to book a call to learn more.

Invest in Human Capital. Once you’ve covered your basic preparedness needs, focus on the people around you. Support those who help raise your children, recognizing their crucial role in your family’s well-being. Invest in local farmers growing food in your area, strengthening your community’s food security. Invest in artisans who can help you rebuild if needed. Work on healing relationships with family members and building a solid support network. Develop relationships with trusted advisors and supporters who can guide you in various aspects of your life and financial journey. We often overlook investing in human capital in service to financial investments that grow our money, but it’s the humans you will need in an emergency.

Final Considerations

The most valuable items are sometimes challenging to replace, even with cash or insurance proceeds. So, digitize photo albums, home videos, old letters, and family histories. Store digital copies in the cloud for easy access from anywhere.

Finally, regularly review and update your preparedness plans, adjusting them as your circumstances change and as you learn about new potential threats. If you need assistance with this—or even accountability—book a call with me.

By following this comprehensive guide, you’re not just preparing for disasters – you’re embarking on a journey to financial liberation. Remember, wise stewardship involves investing your time, energy, attention, and money (TEAM resources) across all aspects of your life.

How We Help You Prepare For the Unexpected

The journey to comprehensive preparedness starts now. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be protecting yourself from disasters and building a more resilient and secure future for yourself and your loved ones.

We help you create a Life & Legacy Plan, which outlines your assets and incapacity plans, even if the unexpected happens. We’ll also review your plan with you regularly so it changes as your life changes, and we’ll even help you capture family memories, stories, and traditions so those are never lost – no matter what happens. Once you’ve created your plan, you can rest easy knowing your wishes will be honored, your loved ones cared for, and your property protected.

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more. Contact us today to get started.

Tags Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Preparedness, Estate Plan, Estate Planning, Estate Planning Attorney, Peace of Mind

Estate Planning

Matthew Perry’s Estate Plan Demonstrates the Benefits of Trusts

Post author By Kylie Casper
Post date October 3, 2024
No Comments on Matthew Perry’s Estate Plan Demonstrates the Benefits of Trusts

When Matthew Perry, the beloved star of Friends, passed away last year, the world mourned the loss of a comedic icon. However, as details of his estate began to emerge, a curious puzzle presented itself: despite his reported net worth of $120 million, his bank account held (only) $1.5 million. Admittedly, this seems like a whopping sum to most of us, but this amount appears off for a man who earned millions of dollars for just one episode of the show. Shouldn’t he have had much more money than that? The answer lies in the details of estate planning and using trusts as part of your plan.

In this article, we’ll look at Perry’s estate plan and pull out some valuable lessons. These lessons pertain to all of us, not just the rich and famous. To find out how trusts can benefit you, read on.

What is a Trust?

A trust is simply a legal arrangement where a person (sometimes called a “settlor”) transfers assets to someone ( a “trustee”) who manages those assets for the benefit of someone else (the “beneficiaries”). Many types of trusts can be used for various purposes, including estate planning, asset protection, and providing for loved ones.

The trustees appointed to manage a trust play a crucial role in fulfilling the settlor’s wishes. Choosing the right trustees is essential for the effective management of a trust. Trustees should be trustworthy, financially responsible, and knowledgeable about estate planning. They should also be willing to devote the time and effort required to manage the trust’s assets.

In Perry’s case, it appears he established a trust during his lifetime. This trust, which seems to be named the Alvy Singer Living Trust—Woody Allen’s character in Annie Hall—presumably holds a significant portion of his wealth. In Perry’s case, the trustees were likely responsible for managing his investments, paying bills, and distributing money to the beneficiaries.

Why would Perry have chosen to establish a trust? There are many benefits, which I’ll break down in greater detail now.

The Power and Benefits of Trusts

There are many advantages to using a trust for estate planning. Here are some of the most common.

Protection from creditors and lawsuits. If a beneficiary faced financial difficulties, their creditors would generally not have access to assets held in a trust.

Ongoing support during life, incapacity, and after death. Trusts can provide for loved ones more flexibly than a will. A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death. However, a trust can be structured to provide support during your life and for your beneficiaries over time, ensuring their needs are met. If you have a will, your assets will usually be transferred to your beneficiaries – even if they are young or financially irresponsible.

Minimization of estate taxes. Depending on the size of an estate, there may be significant federal and state estate taxes. A trust can reduce or eliminate these taxes.

Court avoidance. A court process called probate takes place after someone dies, and it can be expensive, lengthy, and conflict-laden. If you have a will or no estate plan, court is mandatory. However, the court process may be avoided if you have a trust. This results in less expense, less time, and a decreased probability of conflict. It’s also a public proceeding, and court filings contain personal and financial information you may not want others to see.

Conflict avoidance. The court process is set up to give all heirs and creditors a claim to your assets. They are invited to file a claim and get to see information about your assets.

Greater control over what happens to your assets and your family. When you have to go to court, someone other than you – a judge who’s a stranger to you and your family – will make all final decisions about your money, property, and family. But with a trust, you can make those decisions and exercise control over the outcomes.

Preserving assets when there’s a substance abuse issue. It’s no secret that Perry struggled with substance abuse for much of his life, and it’s possible that because of that, he was advised to create a trust to hold his assets. This was a wise decision. Substance abuse can have a significant impact on financial stability, and it is possible that Perry sought to protect his assets from loss, either by his actions or potential creditors and legal issues related to his addiction. You can do the same for a friend or relative if you want to support them and know they struggle to manage their finances responsibly.

These advantages apply to you, too! You do not need to be wealthy to want a trust. You do not have to be charitable or famous to take advantage of the benefits.

The Appeal of Privacy

Remember when I mentioned above that the court process is public? I also noted that a trust can help you and your family avoid court and its very public nature. If you were wondering, “If it’s true Matthew Perry had a trust, then how come it’s public knowledge that he had $1.5 million in his bank account?” Then kudos! You caught on to something important.

Matthew Perry also had a will, and wills go through probate. Any assets not placed into a trust must be dealt with via your will and, thus, are subject to the court process. Remember when I mentioned that court filings must contain your personal and financial information? That’s how we know about Matthew Perry’s bank account. The funds in his bank account were ostensibly not placed into his trust and are subject to the public probate process. You can look up the court records and read his will – or any will – for yourself.

His will mentioned that he had trust, which is also common. It doesn’t mention the terms of the trust, who the beneficiaries are, what his other assets are, and who gets what. Our public knowledge is limited to what’s in his will. And if his bank account had been placed into his trust, it would have been kept private, too.

In short, assets placed into a trust are kept private, as is your personal and financial information. Assets left out of a trust are public knowledge. So, when you create a trust, you mustn’t just draft and sign the document and call it a day. You must take the next step and correctly place your assets into the trust. If you don’t do that, you lose all the benefits the trust offers.

How We Help You Protect What Matters Most

As more details about Perry’s estate emerge (and sadly, his death), we may better understand his intentions and the legacy he will leave behind. While his untimely passing is a tragic loss, his estate planning offers a fascinating look at the advantages of trusts and how you can also take advantage of them.

We help you create a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan that may include tools like trusts to protect your assets, maintain your privacy, and ensure your loved ones are cared for—without the headaches of court or the increased chances of conflict. By planning today, you can have peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored, your family’s future will be safeguarded, and your legacy will be kept private.

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more. Contact us today to get started.

Tags Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Estate Planning Attorney, Matthew Perry, Personal Family Lawyer, Revocable Living Trust, Trusts

Estate Planning

Celebrity Estate Plans Series Part 2 of 4: Vanilla Ice Has Thoughts

Post author By Kylie Casper
Post date August 1, 2024
No Comments on Celebrity Estate Plans Series Part 2 of 4: Vanilla Ice Has Thoughts

This week, we’re continuing to look at the lives of 4 celebrities and how they’re preparing for the inevitable (or didn’t!). Last week, we examined Michael Jackson’s planning and the holes in his plan that resulted in his family being embroiled in court and conflict for 15 years and counting (if you missed it, go back and check it out!) in this second article of our 4-part celebrity series, Vanilla Ice chimes in with his estate planning experience, advice, and lessons learned on a video he posted to his YouTube channel. He has a lot to say!

Vanilla Ice (Really) Hates Estate Taxes

Vanilla Ice shares the story of his buddy Mark, whose parents owned a sprawling property in Palm Beach, Florida. When they passed, Mark and his siblings sold the estate, expecting to be set for life. However, estate taxes ended up taking over 80% of their profit. Ouch.

Vanilla Ice calls this tax a “generational wealth killer,” he’s not wrong. Estate taxes can sneak up and bite a massive chunk of your wealth. And the thing is, with a proper estate plan, this doesn’t have to happen! The key is to educate yourself. Knowing what you’re up against helps you plan smarter so that more of your hard-earned assets reach your heirs.

Education is the most important part of estate planning. That’s why my planning process begins with a Life & Legacy Planning Session, where you’ll get the plain and straightforward education you need to make wise decisions about your planning, including how to keep your family out of court and out of conflict, minimize taxes, and ultimately create a plan that works for you and the people you love, when they need it.

So, first lesson: if you suspect your family could pay estate taxes at your death, don’t wait to plan. There’s way too much at stake. Call us, and let’s get you to know about the kind of planning you want and need for yourself and the people you love.

Vanilla Ice Thinks Life Insurance is Cool

(“Ice” and “cool” – get it? Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Life insurance isn’t just for covering funeral costs – it’s a secret weapon in estate planning. Vanilla Ice suggests “maxing out your life insurance” to give your kids as much money as possible. What makes life insurance “cool” is that death benefits aren’t subject to income tax, meaning your heirs can get more bang for your buck than if you were investing the money you’d put into life insurance premiums into just about any other asset class.

It’s worth considering what Vanilla Ice suggests here. When you take out a life insurance policy, the payout can cover any necessary taxes, probate fees, and debts, ensuring your heirs receive the lion’s share of your assets. Life insurance can help with short-term needs, like paying off a mortgage, or it can serve your family’s long-term needs, like maintaining the lifestyle to which they’re accustomed.

When you get educated via our Life & Legacy Planning process, we’ll look at your life insurance, whether you have the right amount and the right type, and ensure you are 100% clear on what it might mean to “max out your life insurance” and if you really should do that. We’ll consider whether you need more insurance, less insurance, or a different kind of insurance based on your family dynamics, assets, and what you want for the people you love after you leave.

Second lesson: If you want to be cool, plan to buy the right type and kind of life insurance.

Ice Says Trusts Are Not Just for the Rich and Famous (and He’s Right!)

Trusts might sound like something only the super-wealthy need, but they’re an intelligent tool for anyone looking to protect their assets.

Ice mentions irrevocable trusts specifically. These types of trusts let you transfer assets to a beneficiary while removing the assets from your taxable estate, ensuring your assets aren’t subject to estate taxes. Any assets in an irrevocable trust are protected from legal judgments and creditors IF you do it correctly and in the right jurisdiction. If it’s something you are interested in, contact us, and we can talk. In the video, Ice jokes about putting his classic car collection into a trust and setting rules, such as his kids can lease but not sell the cars. This protection ensures your heirs benefit from it, but don’t squander the assets. In other words, even after death, you can determine how your assets will be used. And if you want to protect them for future generations, you can. This is one way to create generational wealth.

So now we’re up to our third and final lesson: If you want to protect and preserve your assets for generations, take Vanilla Ice’s advice and utilize trusts in your planning.

Put Vanilla Ice’s Advice Into Action Today

Vanilla Ice’s video brings forward lessons everyone can benefit from. By understanding your options, including how taxes and life insurance impact your family and assets specifically, and considering using well-counseled trusts, you can safeguard your assets and ensure they benefit your loved ones the way you want. To quote his classic hit, “Ice Ice Baby,” ‘Anything less than the best is a felony.’ Take these lessons from Vanilla Ice to heart, and start building a solid estate plan today. Your future generations will thank you for it.

We help you create a Life & Legacy Plan rooted in education and clarity so your loved ones stay out of court and conflict and your assets are protected. Once we’ve created your plan, you can rest easy knowing you’ve done the right things for the people you love most.

Tags Celebrity Estate Plans, Estate Planning, Estate Planning Attorney, Vanilla Ice

Estate Planning

3 Ways to Comfort and Support A Loved One in Mourning

Post author By Sara Thomas
Post date December 21, 2023
2 Comments on 3 Ways to Comfort and Support A Loved One in Mourning

Losing a loved one is an incredibly challenging experience, and the journey through grief can be both complex and overwhelming. Unfortunately, we all experience grief at one time or another, and knowing how to manage your own grief and how to be there for others who are grieving is an important skill that can improve your life and relationships.

Our firm understands that our role extends beyond legal matters. In times of loss, it’s crucial to provide comfort and support to those grieving, and when they’re ready, guidance for the steps ahead.

In this blog, we explore practical and heartfelt ways to hold space for your loved ones who are mourning.

01 | Express Empathy

When someone is grieving, the simple act of expressing empathy can provide immense comfort. Let your loved one know that you are there for them, ready to listen without judgment. Phrases like “I’m here for you,” or “I’m so sorry for your loss” can make a significant impact.

If you have also lost a loved one, consider relying on your own experience to relate to their feelings and encourage the person that they will make it through this. Just be mindful to keep the focus on their feelings, as everyone experiences the emotions of loss differently.

If you aren’t sure what to say or aren’t able to be with them physically, a heartfelt card or a handwritten note can convey your sympathy in a tangible and lasting way. Being present on a telephone call can also be extremely comforting. Even if your loved one doesn’t want to talk, just being together in silence can help.

02 | Create a Safe Environment

Grief is a personal journey, and everyone copes differently. Some may need solitude, while others seek companionship. Respect your loved one’s grieving process and offer support tailored to their needs.

Grieving individuals often need a safe space to express their feelings without fear of judgment. Encourage open communication and let your loved one know that it’s okay to feel a range of emotions. Avoid offering unsolicited advice and instead, provide a listening ear. Sometimes, just being present and allowing them to share memories or express their pain can be incredibly therapeutic.

If your loved one doesn’t feel like talking or being around others, don’t push them. Leave them a message of support and give them space. Check in with them only if you haven’t heard from them in an unusual amount of time based on your relationship with them.

Be patient and understand that the stages of grief are unique to each individual. Even if your loved one is feeling better, they will likely have days or weeks where they will feel overwhelmed by grief again. Offer comfort in these moments without trying to change how they feel.

03 | Offer Practical Help

During times of grief, even daily tasks can feel insurmountable. Offering practical help, such as preparing a meal, running errands, or assisting with household chores, can make a world of difference to someone in mourning. Small gestures can alleviate the burden on your loved one, allowing them the time and space they need to navigate their emotions.

If your loved one is grieving for their spouse, they may be at a loss for how to manage their finances or other daily tasks that their partner normally would have handled. Offer to help them pay their bills, set up memorial arrangements, or inform your other relatives about the loss. If your loved one has children to care for, offer to watch their kids for a while, pick them up after school, or help with homework.

Where you’re able, try to assist your loved one as part of a routine or ritual. Establishing routines can provide a sense of stability amid grief. This could be as simple as giving them a weekly phone call to check in, a monthly visit to a special place, or inviting them over for dinner every Sunday. The consistency and socialization these routines bring can offer a source of connection and help ease the depression that comes with loss.

Ease The Burden of Loss on Your Family By Planning Ahead

In times of grief, the support of friends and family is crucial. But the best way to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that comes with the loss of a loved one is to create a plan ahead of time. By doing so, everyone you love will know exactly what you want to happen if you become incapacitated or die, and the care of your assets, bills, and loved ones will be handled quickly and smoothly by the people you trust.

Even more importantly, your loved ones will have our support to walk them through any necessary legal steps they need to take during the mourning process.

To learn more about how we can help you create a plan that will provide guidance, comfort, and ease for your loved ones after your death or incapacity, schedule a complimentary call with our office.

We would be honored to be there for your family.

Tags Estate Plan, Estate Planning Attorney, Grief, Mourning, Personal Family Lawyer ®

Estate Planning

3 Tips For Discussing Finances With Your Family Over The Holidays

Post author By Sara Thomas
Post date November 17, 2023
No Comments on 3 Tips For Discussing Finances With Your Family Over The Holidays

The holidays are right around the corner, which means more time to gather with family and relatives than any other time of the year. If you’ve been meaning to talk with your family about finances, inheritance, end-of-life decisions, estate planning, and creating a plan for your whole family’s wealth – now and in the future – having everyone in the same room is ideal.

But asking your relatives how they want their assets handled when they die or if they become incapacitated might not go over well while opening presents or carving a turkey.

To keep your family from feeling blindsided and to make the most of your conversation, consider the following three tips.

01 | Share Your Intention Ahead of Time

To help your loved ones feel at ease, don’t bring up finances and estate planning for the first time while the family is gathered around the TV watching football. Instead, approach the topic weeks ahead of time if possible.

If you have regular visits or phone calls with your loved ones, let them know you’ve been thinking about creating a plan for your own finances and the care of the family in case something happens to you. Casually mentioning that it’s on your mind will help plant the seed for a future conversation with your loved ones and likely get them thinking about their own plan or lack of a plan.

As your family gathering approaches, bring up the subject again, this time with more intention and detail. Consider asking the host of your family gatherings, whether it’s your sibling, parent, or adult child when the best time would be to have an all-family conversation for 90 minutes. Schedule it and let everyone know that you’ve got something meaningful planned.

If the host pushes back against the idea, respond with curiosity about their experience, what they feel apprehensive about, and if there is a way that you could mitigate their apprehension perhaps by speaking with other family members in advance.

If you’ve already completed your own planning, use your experience as a springboard for the conversation.

02 | Set Aside a Time and Place to Talk

Be upfront with your family about the meeting’s purpose so no one is taken by surprise and so they come prepared for the discussion. Choose a setting that’s comfortable, quiet, and private. The more relaxed everyone is, the more likely they’ll be comfortable opening up.

Begin by sharing the context of why it’s important to you that your family begin having conversations about finances, life, and death. You may even want to share that the topic is uncomfortable for you, but that it’s important enough that you are willing to be uncomfortable because you know that these conversations can bring your family closer together, create more family resilience, and ensure you are all financially well-cared for.

Finally, as part of setting context, set a start and stop time for the conversation. Remember, the goal is to simply get the conversation started, not work out all of the details or dollar amounts, so don’t expect this to be the one and only conversation you have – it’s a start.

03 | Share Your Planning Experience

If you’ve already created your own plan, and it included an inventory of your assets, a look at what is enough, and what would happen to it all when something happens to you (which is what we do during our first Planning Session with you), you can start by explaining how you felt during the process, how easy it was, and how you feel now knowing that your assets and loved ones will be cared for the way you want if something happens to you.

If you’ve worked with us, describe how the process unfolded and how we supported you to create a plan designed for your unique wishes and needs.

Share any concerns or doubts you initially had about planning and how we worked with you to address them. If you have loved ones who’ve yet to do any planning and have doubts about its usefulness, empathize with them in a supportive and understanding way, and share your own journey learning the benefits of planning for your finances and your wishes.

If you haven’t created a plan yet, or have doubts about a plan you created with another attorney, be open about why you want to create a plan for your life and death, such as a desire to avoid family conflict, to ensure that a child, disabled relative, or senior parent is cared for in the future, or to build generational wealth and a legacy for your family. Focus on the benefits that planning will have for both your immediate family and your extended family as a whole.

Bringing Families Together

Speaking with loved ones about finances and estate planning can be difficult, but we can guide and support you in having these intimate discussions with your loved ones. When done right, planning can put your life and relationships into a much clearer focus and offer peace of mind knowing that your assets will be protected and that the people you love most will be provided for no matter what.

If you haven’t created your own estate plan, doing so before you talk with your family can help your loved ones be more open to the idea and can help them see the incredible benefit of planning from one of their own family members.

Schedule a complimentary call with us to learn more.

Tags Estate Plan, Estate Planning Attorney, Family Discussions, Family Finance, Holidays, Personal Family Lawyer®

Estate Planning

Transition to Adulthood: The Legal Impact of Your Child Turning 18

Post author By Sara Thomas
Post date November 14, 2023
No Comments on Transition to Adulthood: The Legal Impact of Your Child Turning 18

Soon after the challenges of puberty and the excitement of high school, an even larger milestone looms: the 18^th birthday. It marks your child’s transition from childhood to adulthood, and with it new responsibilities and rights. From a legal standpoint, this milestone also brings significant changes that every parent should be aware of.

In the eyes of the law, an individual is considered a legal adult at the age of 18. This means that your child gains certain rights and privileges, including the ability to enter into contracts, vote, buy property, and make medical decisions for themselves. While this newfound independence is a crucial part of growing up, it can also pose challenges for parents, especially when adult children need their parents’ help or need someone to make decisions on their behalf.

We’ll explore the legal impact of what happens when your child turns 18, what it means for your ability to make legal, financial, and healthcare decisions on their behalf, and what tools you’ll need for a smooth transition to adulthood.

How The Law Changes Your Role As A Parent

On the day your child turns 18, your ability to make legal, financial and healthcare decisions for them essentially disappears in a blink. To give you a sense of how impactful this can be, if your young adult child is hospitalized and unable to communicate their wishes, healthcare providers won’t even legally be able to share your child’s medical information with you. Similarly, financial institutions won’t permit you to access your child’s accounts or make financial decisions on their behalf without their consent – or unless you’re a co-owner of their accounts.

This shift in decision-making authority can feel unsettling and can be particularly challenging if your child is still financially dependent on you, is in a medical emergency, or requires assistance in managing their affairs due to a disability. Thankfully, there are legal tools that can help parents and young adults navigate these new challenges.

Have Their Back With Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal tool that allows your child to designate the person they choose to make legal or healthcare decisions on their behalf. There are two common types of Powers of Attorney that can be valuable in this situation: a General Durable Power of Attorney and a Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

A General Durable Power of Attorney allows your child to appoint someone to manage their financial affairs in the event they become incapacitated or if they just want help managing their finances. With this in place, you can continue to assist your child with financial matters, even after they turn 18.

The important thing to remember however is that not every financial institution will honor a Power of Attorney, so while every adult should have this legal tool, it’s important to check with your specific institution and possibly set up your child’s accounts in a different way to ensure you have immediate access to them if needed. We’d be happy to discuss which options are best for you and your adult child.

A Power of Attorney for Healthcare grants someone the authority to make medical decisions on your child’s behalf if they are unable to do so, such as medication and treatment options, nutritional needs, and life-support measures. This is crucial to ensure that your child receives the care they want, even if they cannot communicate their preferences.

Only your child can put these measures in place, but encouraging them to create these legal documents is a proactive step in maintaining your ability to assist them when they need it most.

Stay Informed With a HIPAA Waiver

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of individuals’ medical records. Once your child turns 18, their medical information is protected under HIPAA, and healthcare providers are prohibited from disclosing it to anyone without the patient’s explicit consent – parents and family members included.

To maintain access to your child’s medical information, they must complete a HIPAA waiver. This document permits healthcare providers to share medical information with individuals specified in the waiver, such as parents or trusted family members.

Having a HIPAA waiver in place can be invaluable during medical emergencies when swift access to medical records is critical. It can also be a valuable tool for young adults who may simply appreciate a parent’s ability to speak to their doctors when they aren’t feeling well or are overwhelmed with the demands of work, college, or both.

Support Their Journey Into Adulthood Through Open Communication

Transitioning to adulthood is a significant step for both parents and children. While legal documents such as Powers of Attorney and a HIPAA Waiver are essential, it’s equally important to have open and honest conversations with your child about their wishes and the responsibilities that come with adulthood.

Discuss their healthcare preferences, financial decisions, and their expectations from you as a parent. Encourage them to consider creating these legal documents not only for your peace of mind but also for their own protection.

We invite you to reach out to our firm to ensure your child has the legal support and protection they need no matter what adulthood brings.

And if you aren’t sure how to talk with your adult child about these legal tools, we can help you start the conversation from a place of love, compassion, and collaboration.

Schedule a complimentary call today to get started.

Tags Estate Plan, Estate Planning Attorney, Health Care Directives, HIPAA Waiver, Power of Attorney, Young Adult, Young Adult Planning

Estate Planning

AARP and The Red Cross Celebrated Make-A-Will Month, But Here’s What They Didn’t Tell You

Post author By Sara Thomas
Post date August 28, 2023
No Comments on AARP and The Red Cross Celebrated Make-A-Will Month, But Here’s What They Didn’t Tell You

August was National Make-A-Will Month and you may have received an advertisement in your inbox or mailbox from AARP or the American Red Cross reminding you to get your Will taken care of this month. Both AARP and the Red Cross promoted their partnerships with FreeWill.com, a website that claims to help you create a legally valid Will in just 20 minutes.

A Will, otherwise known as a Last Will and Testament, is usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of getting your affairs in order, so the advice presented by AARP, the Red Cross, and National Make-A-Will Month itself sounds really good. But in reality, the message of AARP and the Red Cross for Make-A-Will Month could leave your family with a stressful mess when you die or if you become incapacitated first.

To understand why, it’s important to know what a Will does and where its limits lie.

A Will Does Not Cover All of Your Assets

Advertisements and public campaigns about making a Will can make it seem like a Will can take care of all of your needs and all of your assets after you’ve died. In reality, a Will only covers certain items of your property, including any property owned solely in your name and any property that doesn’t have a beneficiary designation.

That means a Will does not control property co-owned by you with others listed as joint tenants or owned as marital property with a spouse, meaning you can only give away your share of any property you own with others, not the entire property.

Assets such as retirement accounts and life insurance policies that have beneficiary designations are not controlled by your Will at all but will instead be paid out directly to the person listed as your beneficiary on each account. Because of this, it’s especially important to make sure your account beneficiaries are up-to-date. And, that you have backup designations in case your chosen beneficiary isn’t living at the time of your death.

Even if your Will states that you want your wishes to apply to all of your assets, the wishes in your Will are always trumped by beneficiary designations and co-ownership laws.

A Will Does Nothing For You If You Become Incapacitated

Since your Will doesn’t have any authority until after you’ve died, you can’t use it to give someone you trust the power to make decisions for you if you’re incapacitated due to illness or injury. An incapacity can occur as a result of a car accident, an injury sustained while playing with your softball league, or due to an illness, and may be temporary or permanent.

Tasks like paying your bills, managing your money, and maintaining your home may all require help if you become incapacitated. Likewise, you’ll need someone who can make medical decisions for you if you’re unconscious or unable to communicate your medical choices effectively, such as if you’re in an induced coma in the hospital or have memory problems due to an injury or degenerative condition.

Unfortunately, the people named in your Will have no authority to make decisions for you or act on your behalf while you’re alive unless you’ve given them that power through a separate Power of Attorney. Without it, your loved ones may need to go through a court guardianship process to gain the authority to take care of you and your home.

A Will Must Be Filed in Court to Be Used

One of the biggest estate planning myths I hear from clients is the belief that by having a Will, their loved ones won’t need to go to court after they die.

Sadly, this is the opposite of the truth.

A Will only has the authority to control your assets and represent your decisions when it is filed under a probate case in court after your death. If you named someone in your Will to manage your estate or watch over your children, that person will have no authority to do so while you’re alive.

Your chosen representatives can only begin the process of managing your assets and following the wishes you’ve left in your Will only after a judge or court commissioner has formally given them the power. While court oversight can be helpful if there is any confusion or disagreement about your estate, the probate process can be long and expensive. Often, the process can take 12 – 18 months or sometimes even longer.

Due to the length and complexity of the process, going through probate can easily cost your family thousands of dollars.

In addition, because probate is a public court proceeding, your Will becomes part of the public record upon your death, allowing everyone to see the contents of your estate, who your beneficiaries are, and what they’ll receive. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for scammers to use this information to try to take advantage of young or vulnerable beneficiaries who just inherited money from you.

A Will is Not an Estate Plan

Organizations often promote a message of the importance of creating a Will because a Will is a tool that most people have heard of and are familiar with, which makes it an easy launching point to talk about the importance of planning for your assets and your loved ones. But the thing is, a Will isn’t the one-and-done solution that most people are led to believe.

The terms “Will” and “estate plan” are often used interchangeably to mean a tool for dispersing your assets and protecting your wishes, but these two terms are not the same. In reality, a Will is just one piece of your overall estate plan, not the entire plan itself. An estate plan isn’t just one or two documents – it’s a range of strategic decisions about the allocation and title of your assets, and it’s a set of tools and counseling-oriented planning that make sure everything and everyone you love is taken care of both while you’re alive and after you’re gone.

Your complete estate plan may include a Will, a Trust, Powers of Attorney, and other tools that are tailored to your specific situation, local laws, and your vision for the future.

And even more important than both a Will and a Trust, is an inventory of your assets so your family knows what you have, where it is, and how to find it when you become incapacitated or die. Without an inventory of your assets, your family will be lost when something happens to you. A comprehensive inventory updated throughout your lifetime is a critical, and often overlooked, piece of an estate plan that is just a Will.

Trusted Guidance and Counseling

An online program may be able to give you a legally valid Will or other legal documents, but just because something is legally valid doesn’t mean it will be effective. And any document created through a 20-minute online tool is almost guaranteed not to work for you and your loved ones when they need it.

Most importantly, any document created using an online tool will lack the knowledge, guidance, and personal counseling of a trusted expert who knows your situation and cares about your plan’s effectiveness.

That’s why I don’t just create documents – I guide you and your family through every step of the process, now and at the time of your passing. I even help all of my clients pass on something more valuable than their money – their values, stories, and wisdom – through a Family Legacy Interview.

If you’re ready to see how having an estate plan created for your family with heart-forward professional guidance is different from just creating a Will online, schedule a free 15-minute call with us.

This article is a service of August Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love.

Tags AARP, Estate Plan, Estate Planning, Estate Planning Attorney, Last Will and Testament, Make-A-Will Month, Online Wills, Personal Family Lawyer®, The Red Cross, Wills

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