When everyone is alive and happy, it is easy to think nothing will break a family apart. Many people think because everyone is getting along

A few years ago, I was rushed to emergency room by ambulance with an apparent massive heart attack. To have a doctor calmly (as I was being rushed into a waiting elevator with numerous wires attached to my body, and numerous medical staff surrounding me talking their “medical” language) tell you right to your face, “Mr. Newman, you either had or are in the midst of a massive heart attack and …” quite honestly, I do not remember much else of what he said. I do remember seeing

Getting the news you have to undergo major surgery is never easy. Preparing for absences from work, planning for childcare, parent care, household responsibilities, medical bills, etc. will be among the things you may worry about. Hopefully, reviewing your estate plan will also be a priority. But what if you only have a few weeks—or even days—to react? Who should you call? How can you concentrate enough to get this work done? Make the best use of your time by considering the

What is a personal property memorandum? It is a frequently-used estate planning document that provides an opportunity to expand upon your will or trust. Many wills or trusts simply divide the whole of an estate equally between surviving family members. But, what if you would prefer a more detailed plan for particular items you want to leave to specific individuals? If you would like to ensure specific property or items in your estate are left to certain relatives or frien

WOW! Alex Trebek! Our hearts and prays go out to him and his family. Certainly, we are all rooting for him to win this battle. Regrettably, such diagnoses occur to someone every day. A scary health diagnosis can be emotionally and logistically challenging for many reasons. For instance, how can you take care of your family if you are physically incapacitated? In addition to working closely with your medical providers, consider these three legal tips: 1. Check your estate plan

As Valentine’s Day brings heart-shaped chocolate boxes and roses by the dozen into your imagination, seize the moment to learn about the drawbacks of “I love you” wills and introduce yourself to the estate planning move that is actually going to ensure you do well by your loved ones: a lifetime beneficiary trust. Rise above the misconceptions No aspect of estate planning brings out as much emotional decision-making as the division of assets. Many people think, “I love you,” s

Wow! Thanksgiving is next week! 2019 is just around the corner. I remember looking forward to ending 2017 and anticipating the arrival of 2018. Now I barely remember 2018! At least I am blessed to still be here doing what I love! Now on to why you decided to read this message. As we all prepare for the holidays and a new year, it is important we wrap up any loose strings. Before entering into the new year, here are some things that need to be on your end of year checklist: 1

Trust fund kid: the term conjures up images of entitlement, snobbery, and pastel golf shirts. Daddy’s spoiled little brats account for only a little more than 1% of the U.S. population (there is that maligned 1% again). When compared to the approximately 22% of Americans who inherited money, those who did so from a trust fund are an especially small minority. That does not mean the demographic should be ignored, especially in the current climate. Baby boomers—the country’s we

How to Leave Assets to Adult Children When considering how to leave assets to adult children, the first step is to decide how much each one should receive. Most parents want to treat their children fairly, but this does not necessarily mean they should receive equal shares of your estate. For example, it may be desirable to give more to a child who is a teacher than to one who has a successful business, or to “compensate” a child who has been a primary caregiver. Some parents

How to Leave Assets to Minor Children Most parents want to make sure their children are provided for in the event something happens to them while the children are still minors. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and good friends sometimes want to leave gifts to beloved young children too. Unfortunately, good intentions and poor planning often have unintended results. Do not make these common, expensive mistakes. Instead, here is how to both protect and provide for the children you