A Good Estate Plan Today Is Better Than the Perfect Estate Plan Someday (i.e. Never)
General George S. Patton famously said, “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” While Patton was speaking about military strategy, his advice applies remarkably well to estate planning. One of the most common mistakes people make is waiting for the “perfect time” to create an estate plan. […]
Do Your Parents Have an Estate Plan?
If you are part of the sandwich generation—caring for both your children and your parents at the same time—it is crucial that you know whether or not your parents have an existing estate plan. While the final decisions within their estate plan rest with them, creating a comprehensive estate plan is an absolute necessity, regardless […]
Presidents Day and the Power of Planning: What We Can Learn from George Washington
Every Presidents Day, we celebrate leadership, vision, and legacy. But beyond the speeches and the history books, there’s another lesson worth remembering — one about planning. As an estate planning attorney, I often tell clients that true leadership isn’t just about what you build during your lifetime. It’s about how you protect it after you’re […]
All I Want for Christmas Is… a Plan 🎄
The holidays have a way of bringing everyone together—sometimes around a beautifully set table, sometimes around a slightly wobbly card table, and often around conversations that start with “Remember when…” and end with “Wait, who gets the cabin if something happens to Mom?” Christmas is about generosity, reflection, and caring for the people we love. […]
Christmas Laws in History
🎄 Ridiculous Christmas Laws in History Every December, we brace ourselves for the annual debates about when it’s “acceptable” to put up decorations or whether Christmas music before Thanksgiving constitutes a misdemeanor. But as it turns out… history has already seen some truly outrageous actual laws that tried to regulate Christmas cheer — and many […]
Building Our Mansions
As the holiday season invites us to slow down and reflect, Henry Van Dyke’s timeless short story “The Mansion” offers a poignant reminder of what truly endures beyond the material gifts we accumulate. In its gentle, Christmas-infused narrative, we’re encouraged to consider the legacy we build through generosity, intention, and the quiet choices that shape […]
Special Needs Planning: Protecting Your Loved One’s Future
Families caring for a loved one with special needs face unique challenges. One of the most important considerations is how to provide financial support for their loved one without jeopardizing essential government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. This is where special needs planning comes in. Who Needs a Special Needs Trust? […]
The Hidden Dangers of DIY Trusts and AI Estate Plans
I hate cars. Of course they’re great to get us where we need to go and are very convenient; but the moment that “check engine” light comes on or I hear an unfamiliar noise from under the hood, I know that I’m out of my league as far as determining what is wrong and how […]
8 Reasons Why a Will Alone May Not Be Enough for Your Estate Plan
When most people think of estate planning, they picture a will—one neat document that says who gets what. While a will is an important tool, relying on it alone can leave your loved ones with unnecessary costs, delays, and legal headaches. Here are 8 reasons why a will may not be sufficient for a complete […]
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts: Which Is Right for You?
When you’re creating an estate plan, a trust is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. But not all trusts are created equal. The two main categories, revocable and irrevocable, serve very different purposes. Understanding these differences is key to building a plan that truly protects your assets and your family. Let’s break […]