Information accurate at the time first published. Laws subject to change.
Estate planning attorneys are often asked where original estate planning documents – wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives – should be stored for safekeeping. While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, consider the following:...
A 2025 estate-planning study estimates that approximately three-fourths of Americans do not have a basic will. Many of these people also have minor children, which underscores a major misunderstanding about estate plans: wills aren’t just about handling complex...
In many families, everyone gets along, happily gathering for the holidays, sharing laughs, telling stories, and enjoying each other’s company. Then, the matriarch or patriarch dies. Suddenly, years of pent-up resentment and hurt feelings surface, and the once-happy...
A primary goal of estate planning is to provide financially for your loved ones. One way to ensure that they are set up for lifelong success is with an inheritance that pays for their education. From primary school to postgraduate studies, you can invest in a loved...
If you plan to create a trust for the benefit of your children, choosing the right trustee is critical. Initially, you may think that a family member (let’s call him Uncle Bill) will be the best choice. After all, Uncle Bill understands your children’s personalities...