Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving female United States senator in history, passed away in September at the age of 90. First elected to the Senate in 1992, Feinstein leaves behind a political legacy that spanned nearly 31 years. She also leaves behind an estate that is thought to be worth tens of millions...
Category: Family
The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett died on September 1, 2023, at age 76 after a diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma (skin cancer) four years earlier. He was a renowned singer-songwriter, film producer, businessman, novelist, and philanthropist.
Buffett released his first album, Down to Earth, in 1970. By 2023, his net worth was...
The Real Story Behind Trust Fund Kids
When we hear the phrase “trust fund kid,” words like “entitled,” “privileged,” and “financially irresponsible” might come to mind. But another word we should associate with “trust fund kid” is “protected.”
What Is a Trust Fund Kid?
According to a Forbes article published in 2021 about...
Give Thanks This Year with an Up-to-Date Estate Plan
Your Legacy: How Do You Want to Be Remembered?
As Thomas Campbell, physicist and the author of My Big TOE, once said, “To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” When we lose a loved one, we often have memories of special events and occasions,...
Sometimes Stuff Is the Most Important Part of Your Estate Plan
Most people usually think about who will receive their retirement and bank accounts, life insurance proceeds, real estate, and other valuable possessions upon their death. However, a person’s personal property (their stuff) can also be a source of value that needs to be addressed. When looking to start or continue your estate...
Estate Planning Awareness Week Is Almost Here: Top 3 Reasons You Need an Up-to-Date Estate Plan
Although we live in a world where information is easily accessible through the internet, there are still many misconceptions surrounding estate planning. Most of us do not dedicate our time to learning more about topics like estate planning, because we may not know that we need an estate plan or realize the...
Celebrating the Upcoming Holidays with an Up-to-Date Estate Plan
National Grandparents Day: Three Things to Consider Before You Make a Gift to Grandchildren
As grandparents, you likely love the opportunity to shower your grandchildren with gifts. In most cases, these gifts are given on holidays and birthdays and commonly consist of an item that may have been at...
Four Things Your Spouse Should Know Before You Die
It is normal for married couples to share almost every aspect of their lives with each other. But when it comes to death, even the closest couples might become tight-lipped about certain topics. According to one study, half of all couples fail to discuss their dying wishes.[1]
Limited Impact of Estrangement on Estate Planning
Unfortunately, rifts sometimes arise between family members that are much more serious than just temporary squabbles. The result may be estrangement, defined as “the state of being alienated or separated in feeling or affection; a state of hostility or unfriendliness” or “the state of being separated or removed.”[1] Estrangement does...
Back to School: Time to Protect Your Child’s Future
Personal Guidance from beyond the Grave
Life can get hectic for parents when the school year starts. Parents often juggle many different responsibilities, which increase with the number of children they have and activities the children participate in. Most parents feel like they need to be in five places...