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When Matthew Perry, the beloved star of Friends, passed away last year, the world mourned the loss of a comedic icon. However, as details of his estate began to emerge, a curious puzzle presented itself: despite his reported net worth of $120 million, his bank account held (only) $1.5 million. Admittedly, this seems like a whopping sum to most of us, but for a man who earned millions of dollars for just one episode of the show, this amount appears…off somehow. Shouldn’t he ha

Have you ever heard horror stories about families fighting over Grandma's jewelry or getting stuck in a never-ending legal battle after someone passes away? Or about how long it can take to sell a house tied up in the court process? What about family members being denied their inheritance completely? Unfortunately, these situations happen every day. Not even the rich and famous are immune! A simple Google search will pull up dozens of celebrity stories about all the conflict

Have you jumped on the AI bandwagon yet? If so, you’ve probably used it to make your life easier. AI can be incredibly helpful, especially when the stakes are low. Need a personalized meal plan or an exercise routine? AI can handle that. But when it comes to estate planning, some people use AI for what they believe to be a simple and cost-effective solution. The allure of Do-It-Yourself estate planning through AI is strong, especially when you think your situation is simple

Labor Day, observed in the United States on the first Monday in September, is not only the unofficial end of summer but also a celebration of the contributions and achievements of American workers. Originating from the labor movement and the quest for better working conditions, Labor Day also provides an opportunity to think about your personal labor or the work you’ve put into building your life. Your home, your family, your career – these all came about from hard work! So,

You've worked hard to build your assets and secure your family's future. Like many responsible adults, you've named beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and maybe even your banking and investment accounts. It feels good to know you've put something in place for your loved ones. But here's the truth many financial advisors, CPA’s, and even other lawyers won’t tell you: relying solely on beneficiary forms for your estate plan can lead to unintend

Imagine discovering thousands of dollars that belong to you, only to be told you can't have it. This frustrating scenario became a reality for a woman named Dale Benerofe, a Georgia resident, when she found $23,000 in unclaimed property from her deceased parents. Her tragic story sheds light on a little-known issue that affects millions of Americans: unclaimed property. In this article, you'll discover what unclaimed property is, how to find it, and why proper estate plannin

Imagine this: You're in your twenties, just starting your career. You fill out a form at work, naming your live-in significant other as the beneficiary of your retirement account. You start contributing to your retirement account, and it begins to grow. Fast forward 28 years - you've long since ended that relationship, lived a full life, and then died. But you never changed that beneficiary designation, and now that ex-partner is entitled to your million-dollar retirement nes

For the last few weeks, we’ve discussed celebrities and how they planned for their deaths. We started with the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, so ending our 4-part series with the King of Rock, Elvis Presley, seems fitting. You may be wondering why I’ve chosen to talk about a man who’s been dead since 1977. The reason is that a recent case involving Graceland shows how bold scammers can be. This case is a wake-up call for anyone who owns property or stands to inherit it. So, l

For the last two weeks, we’ve discussed celebrities and how they planned (or didn’t!) for their deaths. In this third installment of our four-part celebrity series, we discuss a topic that no one wants to think about as it may seem to be a fate worse than death: incapacity. Unlike death, not everyone will become incapacitated. Yet, it’s an essential part of your future planning because if you do become incapacitated, you want to have made your choices well before that occurs.

This week, we’re continuing to look at the lives of 4 celebrities and how they’re preparing for the inevitable (or didn’t!). Last week, we examined Michael Jackson’s planning and the holes in his plan that resulted in his family being embroiled in court and conflict for 15 years and counting (if you missed it, go back and check it out!). In this second article of our 4-part celebrity series, Vanilla Ice chimes in with his estate planning experience, advice, and lessons learne

What is it about celebrities that always draws us in? For whatever reason, we just can’t resist a good, juicy celebrity story. Maybe it’s because we can relate in some way, or maybe we feel like we can’t relate and that’s what makes celebrities interesting. Their lives always seem attractive but somehow… just out of reach. So for the next few weeks, we’re going to look at the lives of 4 celebrities and see what we can learn from their stories. I think you’ll be surprised to l

As you celebrate the Fourth of July and all it represents - freedom, independence, and the pursuit of happiness - take pride in the ultimate American liberty: the right to decide your own affairs, even after death or in the event of incapacity. An estate plan, specifically a Life & Legacy Plan, is the way to express your liberty. It’s your personal Declaration of Independence. I know; it sounds weird. How in the world can an estate plan give me freedom? Here’s how: Creating a

June marks Men’s Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about health issues predominantly affecting men and encouraging the early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. So this month, let’s turn the focus to you, gentlemen. You already know that taking care of your health allows you to prolong your life and enhance your quality of life. But have you given serious thought to how your health directly impacts your future? Your legacy? The ones you lo

When your child turns 18, they’re legally considered an adult even though they have a lot more growing to do (though they may not think so!). Just like any other adult, their health and financial information is protected by privacy laws. But unlike any other adult, that’s still your child and you want to be there to support them in a crisis. Unless you’ve planned ahead you won’t be able to step in and support your child. As an estate planning attorney, I often see families ca

If you’re a father, you've always strived to provide the best for your family, ensuring their well-being and securing their future. However, even the most well-intentioned plans can falter if you overlook the complexities of estate planning. So this Father’s Day, let’s celebrate all of you dads and explore some common pitfalls that fathers often encounter, then offer practical strategies to navigate them successfully. Heads up before we dive in; I’ll provide some stories belo

As an LGBTQIA+ non-biological parent, June's arrival sparks a flurry of Pride celebrations reminding you of the remarkable progress the community has made, while also shining a light on the ongoing fight for full equality. One area where you may still face unique legal hurdles is in ensuring your parental rights are properly protected, if you are a non-biological parent. Marriage may not be enough, but marriage in conjunction with estate planning gives you the maximum peace o

Memorial Day brings with it an opportunity to reflect on the concepts of mortality, remembrance, and legacy. As we remember the brave men and women who lost their lives serving in the military, may this day also inspire you to think about the legacy you wish to leave behind. But, first, what is a legacy, really? “Legacy” is often misunderstood and so is estate planning. Legacy and estate planning are often perceived as “only for the wealthy” and/or “philanthropic”. But that c

Welcome back to our discussion on securing a comfortable retirement! In the first part of this series, we explored essential steps including estate planning, preparing for long-term care, and passing on your legacy. As we continue with the second part of our series, we'll delve into additional areas that are crucial for ensuring your golden years are not only financially stable but also enriched with independence, health, and continued personal growth. So let's pick up where

Retirement is more than just an end to the working years; it's an exciting new phase of life that requires thoughtful preparation and strategic planning. Since May is Older Americans Awareness Month, it's the perfect opportunity to explore 10 steps you can take now to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling retirement. In this article, we’ll discuss the first 5 steps, why they’re important, and how to implement them. Next week, we’ll continue with the remaining 5 steps. Let’s di

Moms spend their days and nights thinking about how to make sure their children are happy, healthy, and safe. If you’re a mom, you know. If you aren’t a mom, you were born because of a mom. It’s one of the two things we all have in common. So, as Mother’s Day approaches, let’s talk about the most meaningful gift you can give or receive on this hallmark holiday that means a lot: every mom deserves the peace of mind and power to create financial security for themselves and thei