Category Archives: Estate Planning
The Hidden Risks of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
With automation an artificial intelligence (AI) disrupting every sector of the economy, it is not surprising that the legal profession is feeling the impact as well. Today, there are many software programs, as well as websites, that sell do-it-yourself estate planning documents. These websites and form tools seem to offer a convenient and cost-effective… Read More »
I’m Not Married. Do I Still Need an Estate Plan?
Approximately half of America’s population over the age of 16 is unmarried. While much of the discussion involving estate planning focuses on married couples, this topic is just as important for a single person. In fact, many times estate planning for singles and unmarried couples may be even more important than for their married… Read More »
How a Pet Trust Protects Your Pet if You Die (UPDATED: October 2019)
If you ask several pet owners if they have a pet trust for their furry family member(s), most will admit that they don’t even know what a pet trust is, much less have one set up. But whether you are planning to adopt a new pet or already have one (or several), it is… Read More »
4 Keys to Smart Estate Planning for Small Business Owners
Preparing your company for your incapacity or death is vital to the survival of the enterprise. Otherwise, your business will be disrupted, harming your customers, employees, vendors, and ultimately, your family. For this reason, proactive planning – including your business and your estate plan – is key. Below are some tips on business and… Read More »
Is Estate Planning Still Necessary With the Trump Tax Cuts?
Now that Tax Day 2018 is in the rear-view mirror for many Americans, a question many of them will have to reckon with moving forward, is estate planning still necessary with the Trump Tax Cuts? The Tax Cut and Jobs Act was signed into law by President Trump in 2017. The new tax law… Read More »
4 Ways to Avoid Guardianship
What is a guardianship, and when is it necessary? In Maryland, a guardianship is usually defined as a protective legal proceeding for someone who is incapacitated or disabled and unable to manage his/her own financial and/or medical affairs. Incapacitated, as it relates to an adult, means that an individual is no longer able to… Read More »
Alzheimer’s Disease 101: What You Need to Know to Be Prepared
(Updated November 2021) November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. In 1983, then-President Ronald Reagan made November the designated month for National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Then fewer than 2 million Americans were diagnosed with this devastating illness that then and now destroys the lives of the people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the families who… Read More »
Yes, You Do Need an Advance Directive. Here’s Why.
Most of us don’t like to think about the possibility of something harmful happening to us or a loved one. Because of this, we rarely think about how to protect ourselves and our loved ones if the worst were to happen. However, just as it is important to buy homeowner’s insurance to protect your… Read More »
How Your Health Savings Account (HSA) Works with Your Estate Plan
If you’re enrolled in a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP), you must consider how your health savings account (HSA) fits into your estate plan—especially to make sure that any hard-earned money left in your HSA when you die goes where you want it. What is an HSA? An HSA is an account whose… Read More »
Why Your Estate Planner Needs to Know If You’ve Lent Money to Family
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, millennials have surpass the baby boomers to officially become the largest generation in the United States. Millennials age range from 18-35 years-old and they are poised to be the engine that drives the U.S. economy in the near future. With that said, many millennials are skipping… Read More »
