The bad news: When a person dies owning property in their sole name without a beneficiary, their loved ones will have to go through a court-supervised process called probate to transfer the property out of the deceased person’s name and into the name of intended beneficiaries or heirs at law. Going through probate court may lead to various expenses, including…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Probate, Trusts | No Comments »

The course stretches out around you, lush and perfectly manicured. You step up to the ball, take a few practice swings, and inhale the morning air. It is a shot you have made hundreds of times—but, as with golf and your estate plan, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it right every time. Golf, like life, has a way of humbling…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Estate Planning | No Comments »

Every day we make hundreds of decisions for ourselves—from what to eat for breakfast to where to vacation. But what happens if you cannot make decisions for yourself? Appointing a conservator for yourself means deciding who you want making day-to-day decisions on your behalf. If you have recently created or reviewed your estate plan, you probably discussed and signed a…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Conservatorships/Guardianship | No Comments »

From the moment a child is born, a parent feels an instinctive drive to protect and nurture. We childproof our homes, carefully choose schools, offer guidance through adolescence, support their careers, and watch with pride as they start their own lives. The desire to be there for them extends beyond emotional and physical care. Finances also play a crucial role,…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Trusts | No Comments »

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…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Estate Planning | No Comments »

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…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Estate Planning | No Comments »

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,…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Estate Planning, Trusts | No Comments »

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…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Estate Planning, Trusts | No Comments »

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…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Estate Planning | No Comments »

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…[...]

Continue Reading

Posted in Estate Planning | No Comments »