With Thanksgiving and the winter holidays rapidly approaching, there is a slew of opportunities to gather the family under one roof and get talking. Estate planning and Wills should be part of that discussion. Although it may be tempting to avoid what many consider to be a morbid topic, it’s important to talk to your loved ones so they will know what to do when the time comes. Communicating openly and honestly with Read More
5 Scary Mistakes People Make When Estate Planning (and How to Easily Avoid Them)
An estate plan is a complex, essential set of legal documents that can offer a person a great deal of financial and emotional security. But, while the estate planning process is far less prolonged and painful than some people fear, there is, like any legal process, no shortage of ways in which someone can stumble when it comes to making their arrangements. Here are five of the most common (but by no means only) Read More
Estate Planning Milestones for Parents
There’s no question that having kids changes your life. Naturally, your priorities and responsibilities shift, and this should also be reflected in your estate plan. Here are a few checkpoints throughout your child’s life when you should recalibrate your estate plan, ensuring that, no matter what, your child is provided for if something were to happen to you. Newborn In the midst of adjusting to parenthood and Read More
Timeshares: Planning for Your Personal Piece of Paradise
A timeshare can be a great opportunity to have a vacation spot every year. It’s your little getaway from the hectic life that comes with living in a city or working long hours at your job. It may be in the Texas Hill Country or a place with a view of the Gulf. It could even be a desert refuge where you can escape the daily grind and recharge. However, you begin to realize as you grow older that escaping to that Read More
Safeguarding Your Digital Afterlife
Our digital lives have become a larger part of our identity since the introduction of the first social media website. We go there to escape from real life and have a place where we can blow off steam, keep track of cultural trends, or meet and get to know people from across the nation. In addition to social media, many people’s daily activities increasingly rely on digital accounts and use computers and personal Read More
Planning for You and Your Special Needs Family Member
Planning for the future is the best possible way to protect and prepare you and your family for the unknown. If you have a loved one with special needs, the unknown may be something you are familiar with. Structuring a plan for your unique situation will provide the personalized solution that addresses the needs of your family. Proper estate planning allows you to provide for and protect your loved ones if you become Read More
Tax Season and Estate Planning Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
It’s that time of year again. Whether you do you taxes yourself or get the help of a professional, it’s important to be organized. Sifting through receipts and government forms is just the tip of the iceberg. Tax season is also an excellent time to review your estate plan to make sure everything is in order. You’re already noting any significant life changes in your filing status, so why not apply those changes to Read More
Surviving the Sandwich Generation
A unique situation is on the rise in the United States and could affect you now or in the future. People are finding themselves caring for their aging parents while simultaneously raising and caring for their children. There is a term for this; the sandwich generation. Adults who are part of the sandwich generation have a living parent age 65 or older and are either raising a child under the age of 18 or supporting a Read More
Caring for Your Aging Parents and Children
A unique situation is on the rise in the United States and could affect you now or in the future. I’d like to discuss the challenges and provide some resources to help you better manage what lies ahead. Let me start with a few interesting statistics, according to recent research. 78.74 years. That is the average life expectancy in the U.S. That number hasn’t changed much in decades. 26.3 years is the average age a Read More
The Importance of Leaving a Will… and What Happens When You Don’t
February is a month notoriously marked by love and romance. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, leaving a Will is one of the most generous and thoughtful gifts you can give. While you may not exactly want to present your Will over a candlelit dinner, this time of a year is an excellent reminder that taking care of your loved ones long after you’re gone is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving. Many people Read More
