What we give up when we seek transactions is the wisdom of the seasoned professional who can guide you to create legal, tax, and financial strategies that endure through tough times. A document alone can’t foresee challenges or adapt to changing circumstances, but a trusted advisor can.

A client’s adult daughter recently reached out after her mother’s passing, completely unaware of her role in the estate. To her surprise, she discovered she was not only a beneficiary but also named as the successor trustee—a position carrying significant responsibilities. Discover why it’s crucial to have open discussions with your adult children about their roles in your estate plan.

Retiree parents often face a tough choice: Should you bail out your adult child in financial distress? Balancing their immediate needs with your long-term financial security is key. How do you decide?

There’s an old Yiddish phrase, ‘un kinder aus yachsen mit bupkes ist immer bupkis!’—a child from a distinguished heritage with nothing is still nothing.
This raises important considerations in estate planning: How do we ensure that an inheritance doesn’t take away a child’s drive and ambition?

Physicians and lawyers often face frustration when patients or clients rely on misleading TV ads or Internet research. Such information lacks context and can be dangerous. Trust experienced, board-certified professionals for tailored advice.

Dealing with family dynamics in estate planning can be challenging. When siblings don’t get along, critical decisions about the estate can lead to disputes. Learn how to handle this and other common issues in estate planning, and why sometimes a corporate trustee might be the best solution.

In 2021, we lost Aaron T. Beck, the father of cognitive behavioral therapy, who identified patterns of negative thinking in his patients, and as an estate planning attorney, I often encounter similar fatalistic traits in clients’ loved ones, which require self-recognition and treatment.

Several times a year, I receive urgent calls for estate planning help, often involving loved ones in the ICU, highlighting the dangers of procrastination and the necessity of timely legal preparation for health crises and asset distribution.

I usually discourage procrastination, but after losing a spouse, it’s important to avoid making major decisions immediately, such as selling a home or changing financial advisors, while relying on trusted professionals to navigate necessary tasks during the emotional and difficult grieving period.

Any parent knows how different their children can be, even when raised in the same household, and while parents love their children equally, treating them equally in estate plans is not always straightforward.