Recent Blog Posts
Homestead Exemptions and Estate Planning
The term homestead may seem like a throwback to pioneer days, but homestead exemption laws are directly relevant to today’s estate planning and can play a valuable role in a modern plan. Almost every state has some form of homestead exemption law primarily focused on reducing property taxes and protecting home equity from creditors…. Read More »
Committed, Protected, Prepared: Estate Planning Tips for Unmarried Partners
More couples than ever are building deep, lasting relationships without ever walking down the aisle. Whether by choice, circumstance, or principle, many Americans are opting out of marriage—but not out of commitment. Data indicate that cultural norms regarding marriage in the United States have undergone significant shifts over the past several decades. Consider the… Read More »
ABLE Accounts: Big Changes Coming in 2025-2027
For the tens of millions of Americans living with a disability, financial hardship often accompanies the physical and emotional challenges they can face on the path to full participation in society. Many disabled individuals rely on public benefit programs for financial support that come with strict income and asset limits that can, paradoxically, keep… Read More »
International Inheritance Laws: What US Residents Need to Know
Estate planning can be complicated enough when all your assets (accounts and property) and loved ones are located within one country. But for US residents with international connections, whether through property, citizenship, residency, business interests, or loved ones living abroad, it can become significantly more complex navigating international inheritance laws. Different countries have different… Read More »
When Is an Estate Subject to State Death Taxes?
The United States imposes a federal estate tax at death, which is based on the total value of the deceased person’s estate (everything a person owns at the time of their death) and is paid from the estate itself. In addition to the federal estate tax, some states assess their own state death tax…. Read More »
Mission Accomplished: Your Guide to Veterans’ Planning Essentials
Joining the military often sets individuals on a path that is distinctly different from pursuing higher education or entering the civilian workforce. Every year around Veterans Day, we honor the sacrifices of those who have served our country. However, we do not always pause to consider the unique experiences and challenges Veterans face when… Read More »
5 Things Every New Parent Needs to Know About Wills
Congratulations on your new baby! Becoming a parent is an incredible journey filled with joy, love, and a whole lot of sleepless nights. It is also a time when you start thinking about the future in an entirely new way. You want to ensure that your child is always protected, no matter what. While… Read More »
Foster Children in an Estate Plan
A foster child may come into your life through the court system, an agency, or your own extended family. No matter how it begins, the relationship can grow into something deeply personal, with the unshakable feeling that this child is yours. However, the law does not always see the relationship that way with regard… Read More »
If I Leave Someone My Home, What Do They Really Get?
Your home is likely one of the most valuable assets you own, if not the most valuable. But, when you speak in terms of estate planning – what does “leaving my home to someone” really mean in legal terms? Simply calling your home an asset can sound cold. A home is far more than… Read More »
Whom Should I Tell About My Estate Plan?
Creating an estate plan is typically a private matter, not something you share in detail with everyone in your life. After all, what you choose to do with your money and property is your business. Your partner might know what is in your plan, especially if you created it together. But beyond that, does… Read More »
