Your family, the economy, the law, and society can change rapidly and unexpectedly, affecting your best-laid estate plans in unpredictable ways. To achieve your estate planning goals, you need a plan that can keep up with the changes. And few estate planning tools provide more flexibility than a general power of appointment.
Category: Estate Planning
Important Legacy Questions You Should Answer in Your Estate Plan
When beginning any type of planning, you usually start with some preliminary questions. Estate planning is no different. When you begin the process, your estate planning attorney will likely ask about your family members, the accounts and property you own, and whom you want to include in your estate plan. As you...
3 Famous Pet Trust Cases and the Lessons We Can Learn from Them
Not long ago, pet trusts were thought of as little more than eccentric things that famous people did for their pets when they had too much money. These days, pet trusts are considered much more mainstream. For example, in 2016, Minnesota became the fiftieth state to legally recognize pet trusts. But, unbeknownst...
Why Snow White’s Father Should Have Had an Estate Plan
Many of us are familiar with the story of Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Central to the story is the relationship between Snow White and her stepmother. After losing his wife, the king decided to marry again to provide a motherly influence for his daughter, Snow White. While things were peaceful...
Things to Know When Planning for an Addicted Loved One
It has been said that the only thing harder than being an addict is loving one. It can be particularly difficult for a parent to bring a child into the world, full of hopes and dreams about their future, and then watch them spiral down into addiction. Having someone in your life...
Estate Planning Is About Knowing Your Priorities
Thinking about the world and how our loved ones will fare after we pass away can be very difficult. Although we all know that we will pass away at some point, this is not something most people like to dwell on. However, by proactively planning and prioritizing your goals, you can craft...
What Does SECURE 2.0 Have to Do with 529 Plans
By now, you have likely heard about the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023). These pieces of legislation were created to encourage Americans to save for retirement and provide additional rules about...
Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Go Up in Smoke
Fewer people are creating estate plans today than in years past. Research shows that, in 2024, less than one-third of Americans report having a will.[1]
Every adult—whether they are 19 or 99—should have a will at a minimum. Many people can also benefit from estate planning documents...
What Is Next for Your Estate Plan?
Having an estate plan is a great way to ensure you and your loved ones are protected today and in the future. When creating an estate plan, we look at what is going on in your life at that time. But because life is full of changes, it is important to make...
Wrongful Death and Probate
Wrongful death lawsuits and probate proceedings are both civil legal matters that occur after somebody has died.
When the death of a loved one is caused by another individual or entity, it can lead to the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit and, ultimately, the awarding of compensation to...