So you got a tax refund this year. Hooray! While you may be tempted to spend it on a vacation, or put it away for a rainy day, there’s an even better way to put that refund to work for you: estate planning…

In an era where digital innovation shapes every aspect of our lives, it's no surprise that our teenagers are drawn to the allure of cryptocurrency. This digital form of money represents a shift away from traditional financial systems. If you’re the parent of teens, understanding cryptocurrency is crucial so you can provide them with the guidance they need to navigate this new world safely and wisely. I’m here to help you learn what you need to know…

Many parents name godparents to mentor and guide their children throughout life. But the scary truth is that your children could still end up in protective services even if they have a godparent…

Group legal insurance might seem like a good way to save on your estate planning needs, but will a plan created through legal insurance work for your family when they need it?

If you’re tempted to use a DIY estate planning service or have already created a plan you aren’t 100% confident in, be sure to read how these three simple mistakes can derail your estate plan and leave your family with an expensive mess…

What happens to your debt when you die? In some cases, you could inadvertently leave a reality in which your surviving heirs—your kids, parents, or others—are responsible for your debt. Alternatively, if you structure your affairs properly, your debt could die right along with you…

The environmental costs of death are significant and constantly rising. With 8 billion people on the planet right now—all of whom have bodies that die and must be disposed of—we need to start seriously considering alternatives to traditional options for burial and cremation. Fortunately, more and more “green” options are being developed to reduce these costs, and this article looks at some of the latest innovations…

You might think that only the super wealthy need to worry about asset protection planning. But the truth is that if you don’t have millions, you may be at even greater risk. For instance, if you’re a multi-millionaire, a $50,000 judgment against you might not be that big of a deal. But for a family with a modest income, savings, and home, it could be devastating…

As a parent, you’re likely hoping to leave your children an inheritance. In fact, doing so may be one of the primary factors motivating your life’s work. But without taking the proper precautions, the wealth you pass on is at serious risk of being accidentally lost or squandered due to common life events, such as divorce, serious debt, devastating illness, and unfortunate accidents…

Even if the process is amicable, divorce can be one of life's most stressful events. With so many major changes taking place, it’s easy to forget to update your estate plan—or simply put it off until it's too late. After all, dealing with yet another lawyer is probably the last thing you want to do…

Even if you put a solid customized estate plan in place, it can turn out to be worthless for the people you love if it’s not regularly updated. Estate planning is not a one-and-done type of deal—your plan should continuously evolve along with your life circumstances and other changing conditions, such as your assets and the law.

The pandemic has caused Americans to change their behavior in a variety of ways, and one of the most positive of these changes is related to estate planning. For the first time since the study’s inception, Caring.com’s 2021 Wills and Estate Planning Study found that young adults are now more likely to have an estate plan than middle-aged adults.

With COVID-19 still part of our everyday lives, your 2021 holiday season may not feature the big family get-togethers of years past, but you’ll still likely be visiting with loved ones in some fashion. The holidays are always a good time to bring up estate planning given the ongoing pandemic.

If you use Facebook to share, track, and report on important life events, you know that it can provide an intimate snapshot of your life. It can also serve as a key part of your legacy – one you’ll likely want to preserve and protect following your death. With this in mind, as with any other digital asset you own, you should include your Facebook profile as part of your estate plan.

It’s not as if we don’t understand that we will all die (or become incapacitated) one day, but within our current reality, that “one day” has become an ever more real possibility. And one way to feel more in control over what’s happening out there is to make sure we all have our legal affairs in order. That way, if “one day” happens sooner than later, our families aren’t left with a big mess to clean up while they are grieving.

When all is ideal in a family, the bond between grandparent and child is a special one. Maybe you’ve even heard that grandparenting is the grand reward for parenting. But what happens when the grandparent becomes the parent? Or when parents divorce, or one parent dies and a grandparents’ visitation rights are taken away?

To make sure your furry friend is taken care of when you become incapacitated or upon your death, you can leave assets for their care and custody. The best way to leave your faithful companion assets is to set up a pet trust.

Dealing with the financial stressors of caring for an aging loved one can affect your ability to provide them with the care and compassion they need. Failing to manage these stressors correctly can put the security of your own financial future at risk. To mitigate these risks, consider these tips to help you make informed decisions about how to protect your future retirement plans while adequately caring for your loved ones.

Summer is the preferred time of year for many families to facilitate a move. While you likely won’t need to have an entirely new estate plan prepared for you when moving to another state, you should have your existing plan reviewed by an estate planning lawyer who is familiar with your new state’s laws.

As parents, it’s normal to experience anxiety as your child becomes an adult and spreads their wings. While you can’t totally prevent your child from an unforeseen illness or injury, by helping your young adult children put these legal documents in place, you can rest assured that if your child ever does need your help, you’ll have the legal authority to provide it.