If you’re wondering who needs an estate plan, the answer is simple: you do. Why? Because everyone age 18 and older needs one. It doesn’t matter whether you’re old or young, have built up considerable wealth, or are just entering adulthood—you need a written plan to control what happens to the things you own and to protect yourself and those…[...]

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Rising housing costs, the desire for companionship, and the need to share resources are increasingly leading buyers to consider co-owning a home with someone other than a spouse, such as a friend, relative, or significant other. Although this arrangement can be beneficial on several levels, it should be approached with open communication, careful planning, and a clear understanding of the…[...]

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As a general rule, a person’s debts do not go away when they die. Some types of debt, such as federal student loans, are typically forgiven upon the debtor’s death, but private loans and cosigned accounts may still be owed after the debtor has passed away. State laws also play a role in handling a loved one’s debts after death,…[...]

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When Ian Burke, a mail carrier from Denton, Texas, heard that Floyd—a 70-pound dog he’d befriended on his delivery route—had ended up in a shelter after his owner’s death, he didn’t hesitate. Burke arrived at the City of Denton Animal Shelter before it opened to be first in line to adopt Floyd and give him a new home. It’s a heartwarming…[...]

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When you think about estate planning, you probably picture wills, trusts, and who gets what. But what happens when life-or-death medical decisions are made about your body—without your full consent, or when you’re not really gone? Unfortunately, in the absence of clear instructions, loved ones, hospitals, and donation agencies must make fast life-or-death decisions—sometimes under pressure, and sometimes without the…[...]

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The massive tax legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (“OBBB”) became law on July 4, 2025, brings sweeping changes that will affect nearly every American family. While much of the media attention has focused on the political drama surrounding its passage, what really matters is how these changes impact your family’s financial security and estate planning needs. With nearly 900…[...]

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As the estate tax exemption has ballooned to $13.99 million, traditional estate tax planning has taken a back seat. Now, a new Estate Planning Tax Time Bomb is ticking—this time fueled by income tax basis issues and a 37% top tax rate. The Basics of Income Tax Basis In its simplest form, income tax basis—often referred to simply as basis—is the…[...]

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When thinking through their estate plan and how they want their assets (money and property) managed after they pass away, most parents wish to treat their children equally, often out of a sense of fairness. However, sometimes being fair or doing what is right by your children may mean giving unequal inheritances. The Key Takeaways Treating children fairly does not…[...]

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Estate planning is an exercise in anticipating potential future events that could affect your plans for what happens if you become incapacitated (unable to manage your own affairs during your lifetime) and how your assets (property and accounts) will be handled after your death. The more you plan for what life might throw at you, the less you leave to…[...]

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What is in a name? If you are a beneficiary of an estate, or if you are setting up an estate plan, your name means a great deal. It is not unusual for a person to go by different names, such as the name we are given at birth and the names we choose for ourselves. Some of us use…[...]

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