All Posts

Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging experience, and it can become even more complicated if they pass away without an estate plan. Estate planning is often viewed as a task for the distant future or something reserved for the wealthy, but the reality is that it's a crucial step for everyone, regardless of age or financial status. In this blog post, we'll explore the significant consequences that can arise if you die without an estate plan. Intestate Succession:

In today’s world, you can Google almost anything, including how to make a will. With just a few clicks, you’ll find countless websites offering “fast and easy” online will templates. At first glance, this may sound convenient and cost-effective. But here’s what those search results don’t always tell you: estate planning is about much more than filling in blanks on a form. Here are five important things you may not learn in your Google about online wills. 1. Online Wills Can B

You finally did it - you finished your estate plan. You signed the trust, the will, the power of attorney, the health care directives. You even popped some champagne afterward (as you should!). Now here’s the question almost everyone forgets to ask: Where should I keep these documents so my family can actually find them? Step 1️: Create an Estate Planning Binder Ask your lawyer for a printed set of your documents, organized in a sturdy binder or folder. Keep it in a safe but 

When most people think about estate planning, they picture wills and trusts as two separate tools. But there’s a document that connects the two in an important way: the pour-over will. A pour-over will is designed to work hand-in-hand with your living trust. If you’ve already created a trust, you probably transferred your major assets like your house, bank accounts, or investments, into it. That way, those assets can pass directly to your beneficiaries without going through p

Most people think life insurance is just about replacing income - a safety net to make sure your family can pay the bills if something happens to you. And yes, that’s part of it. But here’s the real secret: life insurance can be one of the smartest ways to create instant wealth for your family and keep your estate plan running smoothly. When someone passes away, even a well-organized family can face unexpected costs. Final expenses, taxes, legal fees, or just time away from w

Estate planning used to be simple: you met with a lawyer, signed a will, and called it a day. But the world, and the law, have changed. Fast-forward to today, and more and more families are choosing living trusts instead of traditional wills. Here’s why. Wills go through probate. Trusts don’t. A will has to be filed with the court after you pass away. That process, called  probate , can take months (sometimes over a year), cost thousands in legal fees, and make your private f

When most people think about estate planning, they picture wills, trusts, and dividing up their stuff - the “who gets what” part. But there’s one crucial document almost everyone forgets, and it has nothing to do with money. It’s called a Health Care Directive (sometimes called a Living Will or Advance Directive). And honestly? It might be the most important part of your entire estate plan. Why It Matters A Health Care Directive tells your loved ones, and your doctors, what k

A beach house in Florida. A ski cabin in Colorado. A lakeside retreat in Michigan. Vacation homes are one of life’s great luxuries - a place to unwind, create memories, and escape the grind. But if you own property in more than one state, your estate plan needs to do more than simply “pass things along.” Because without the right planning, that second home could cause your family a real headache after you’re gone. The Hidden Problem with Out-of-State Property If your primary

For many of us, pets are more than just animals—they’re cherished members of the family. That’s why it's important to ensure they’ll be taken care of if something happens to you. Without proper planning, your beloved pet could face uncertainty or even end up without a home if you become incapacitated or pass away. To avoid this heartbreaking possibility, it’s essential to include your pet in your estate plan. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when planning for your fu

~ For any Virginia military family that books an estate plan with my firm from today through the end of December, you'll receive a 25% discount off my normal flat-fee pricing!~ Military families live with realities most civilians never have to think about - sudden deployments, frequent moves, unpredictable schedules, and the everyday risks that come with serving our country. Those constant changes make protecting your family  especially  important, and often a simple, one-pag

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made huge strides in the past few years, bringing futuristic technology into our everyday lives. Tools like ChatGPT can already write emails, brainstorm marketing ideas, answer questions, and even help with educational programs. It’s natural to wonder:  could AI eventually replace the work of estate planning attorneys?  And more importantly -  is it safe to trust a computer with something as important as your family’s future? We decided to put

The Estate Planning Issue No One Talks About: Your Digital Life. When most people think about estate planning, they picture the traditional things like your home, bank accounts, retirement plans, sentimental keepsakes, maybe even the family cabin. But there’s an entire category of your life that is often overlooked: Your digital life. In a world where almost everything we do is online, your digital presence has become one of your most valuable (and complicated) assets. And wi

The Jimmy Buffett edition...... Recently Jimmy Buffett’s widow made headlines demanding a formal accounting from the trustee of the trust her late husband left behind. The trust, reportedly worth millions, is generating less than 1% investment return, and she wants to know why. While none of us know the full story behind the scenes, this is a classic example of why estate planning isn’t just about documents; it’s about people. Even the most well-drafted trust can fall short i