A computer engineer from Wales accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin (BTC), now worth approximately $700 million. His decade-long struggle to recover his fortune offers vital lessons for proper estate planning in our increasingly digital world.
Gene Hackman's $80 million fortune is in legal limbo after his wife died just days before he did, highlighting the estate planning crisis that countless families face, including possibly yours.
With a new presidential administration onboarding in just a few weeks, significant changes coming to estate tax exemptions, and interest rates in flux, you may wonder how to protect your assets in the face of uncertainty.
Being named as an executor might seem like an honor, but many people don't realize the enormous responsibility and potential headaches that come with the role. Learn what's involved in administering someone's estate and how proper planning can save your loved ones from unnecessary stress and conflict.
In this last installment of our four-part celebrity series, we spotlight Elvis, the King of Rock. Although he passed away in 1977, his estate can teach us valuable lessons, even in 2024, about the importance of estate planning and how to avoid falling prey to scammers.
Unless you've created an estate plan that works to keep your family out of court, when you die (or become incapacitated) many of your assets must go through probate before those assets can be distributed to your heirs. Like most court proceedings, probate can be time-consuming, costly, and open t...
Unless you've created a proper estate plan, upon your passing many of your assets must first go through the court process known as probate before those assets can be distributed to your heirs. During probate, the court supervises a number of different legal actions, all of which are aimed at fina...
Having a Will, otherwise known as a Last Will & Testament, is important—and all adults over age 18 should have this document in place. Yet for all but a few people, creating a Will is just one small part of an effective estate plan that works to keep your loved ones out of court and out of confl...
So you got a tax refund this year. Hooray! While you may be tempted to spend it on a vacation, or put it away for a rainy day, there’s an even better way to put that refund to work for you: estate planning. Here’s why.
If you’ve given any thought about estate planning, you probably associate it with preparing for death. But did you know that there are critical reasons (and significant benefits) for planning while you’re still well and alive? When done right, planning for your assets and your death is something that should start right now through honest, open conversations with your family.
Losing a loved one is an incredibly challenging experience, and the journey through grief can be both complex and overwhelming. Unfortunately, we all experience grief at one time or another, and knowing how to manage your own grief and how to be there for others who are grieving is an important skill that can improve your life and relationships. Our firm understands that our role extends beyond legal matters. In times of loss, it's crucial to provide comfort and support to those grieving, and when they’re ready, guidance for the steps ahead. In this blog, we explore practical and heartfelt ways to hold space for your loved ones who are mourning.
In December 2022, Congress passed the SECURE 2.0 Act, bringing significant changes to the world of retirement savings and student loans. Two key parts of the Secure 2.0 Act are in effect, and they could substantially impact your family's financial future. We’ll explain how the new law affects your unused 529 college savings account and what that means for your future savings.
Without a proper estate plan, the business you worked so hard to build could be in serious jeopardy when something happens to you. Not only that, but since your business is likely your most valuable asset, proactive planning is crucial not only for your company’s continued survival, but for your family’s future well-being as well.
If you’re part of a blended family (meaning you are married with children from a prior marriage in the mix), you’re no stranger to the extra considerations and planning it takes to keep your family’s life running smoothly. You’ve also probably given some thought to what you want to happen to your assets and your family if something happens to you.
Soon after the challenges of puberty and the excitement of high school, an even larger milestone looms: the 18th birthday. It marks your child’s transition from childhood to adulthood, and with it, new responsibilities and rights. From a legal standpoint, this milestone also brings significant changes that every parent should be aware of.
As a parent, your top priority is the well-being and future of your children. You plan for their education, health, and happiness, and often this planning includes the tradition of choosing godparents to guide and mentor your children if something happens to you. While selecting godparents is a meaningful tradition in many cultures, it's important to understand that naming a godparent is not the same thing as naming a legal guardian for your children.