How to Care for Your Pet … After You Pass Away

We love our pets. Nearly two-thirds of all Americans have a pet, and among those who do, nearly 70% have a dog; 50% have a cat; 11% have fish; 8% have birds; and 7% have horses, rodents or reptiles. Nearly 90% of all pet owners consider their pets to be part of their family, and […]

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Are Trusts a Good Idea?

To some estate planning attorneys, trusts are the default option. Their wealthy clients generally pass assets to heirs that way. Trusts can keep inherited wealth safe; assets left outright to individuals may be vulnerable to estate tax and divorce and creditors and scam artists. That said, trusts might not always be the best choice for […]

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When Should I Think about a Trust?

While families are working on their financial plan, saving for retirement, buying a new house, or updating their insurance policies, all too often, estate planning is put on the back burner. Just as life happens, so does death. An unexpected death can result in a situation where the estate plan in place does not apply […]

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Basic Estate Planning Mistakes You Can Stop Making

Estate planning tends to get pushed to the back burner, as more pressing financial tasks take center stage. But neglecting estate planning is a huge mistake. Estate planning may involve hiring an attorney or financial advisor, but plenty of people make the mistake of going about estate planning on their own. Some 38% of those […]

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Estate Planning Lessons in the Death of Whitney Houston’s Daughter

Bobbi Kristina Brown’s tragic death offers a number of poignant end-of-life lessons for parents, young adults, and seniors alike. First and foremost, health and legal experts say Brown’s death spotlights the need for establishing written advance medical directives as early as age 18. These include the designation of a healthcare proxy, a living will, and […]

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