Protecting Your LGBTQIA+ Family: A Pride Month Guide to Estate Planning for Non-Biological Parents
As an LGBTQIA+ non-biological parent, June's arrival sparks a flurry of Pride celebrations reminding you of the remarkable progress the community has made, while also shining a light on the ongoing fight for full equality. One area where you may still face unique legal hurdles is in ensuring your parental rights are properly protected if you’re a non-biological parent…
Memorial Day Reflections: Crafting Your Lasting Legacy With Estate Planning
Memorial Day brought with it an opportunity to reflect on the concepts of mortality, remembrance, and legacy. But what is a legacy, really? And how does it apply to you? Read more…
10 Steps to Take Now to Secure a Comfortable Retirement: Part 2
In the first part of our series on practical steps to take to ensure a comfortable retirement, we discussed estate planning, passing on legacy, and planning for long-term care. This week, we continue with 5 more steps, from adapting your home for comfort and safety to harnessing technology for independence. Taking these steps will give you comfort in your later years…
10 Steps to Take Now to Secure a Comfortable Retirement: Part 1
Retirement is more than just an end to the working years; it's an exciting new phase of life that requires thoughtful preparation and strategic planning. This Older Americans Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to explore 5 practical steps you can take now to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling retirement…
Estate Planning: A Gift of Peace and Power for Every Mother
Here’s a Mother's Day gift that keeps on giving: the peace of mind and power that comes with thoughtful estate planning. Estate planning helps you protect yourself, your children, and your financial stability so you’re prepared for anything. That’s the best gift a mom can get…
The Dark Side of the Internet: Protect Yourself From Online Scams and Digital Attacks
Sadly, online scams and digital attacks are becoming more common. In this week’s article, we discuss 7 practical steps you can take to secure your online data. It’s never been more important than it is now…
What Happens To Your Social Media Account When You Die?
Ever wondered what happens to your social media accounts after you pass away? Each social media platform has its own rules, so understanding these options is essential for managing your digital accounts responsibly…
Why Estate Planning Is The Best Use of Your Tax Refund
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…
Navigating the World of Cryptocurrency: A Guide for Parents and Teens
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…
The Scary Truth: Naming Godparents Does Not Create Legal Guardians
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…
Can You Rely on Legal Insurance for Your Estate Plan?
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?
3 Simple Mistakes That Can Derail Your Estate Plan
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…
Creditors And Your Estate Plan
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…
Green Funerals: 6 Eco-Friendly Options For Your Remains
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…
4 Essential Strategies For Protecting Your Family’s Assets
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…
Protect Your Children’s Inheritance With A Lifetime Asset Protection Trust
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…
Updating Your Estate Plan For Divorce: 5 Changes to Make
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…
New Year Estate Planning Checkup: Is Your Estate Plan Up to Date?
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.
Think You Are Too Young to Need an Estate Plan? Think Again
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.
Tips For Talking About Estate Planning With Your Family Over the Holidays
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.