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Trusts & Estates
Wills, Trusts & Dying Intestate: How They Differ
Many of us don’t take the steps to have an …Read More »5 Steps for Coordinating Plans Across Generations
Intergenerational estate planning is important. This type of planning is …Read More »3 Liability Planning Tips for Professionals
Liability insurance, exemption planning, and business entities should be used …Read More »How is a corporate trustee different?
The duties of a trustee are many, as a trustee …Read More »Estate Planning: Why Me, Why Now, and Is a Will Enough?
You are neither too young nor too poor to engage …Read More »The Silent Threat to Your Estate Plan
Many often forget that changes in family dynamics and circumstances …Read More »Wills v. Trusts: A Quick & Simple Reference Guide
While some of the differences between wills and trusts are …Read More »Consider “Micro” Estate Planning in the New Year
As with traditional estate plans, “micro” estate planning can help …Read More »The Silent Threat to Your Estate Plan
What many often forget is that changes in family dynamics …Read More »Murphy’s Law and Estate Planning
As the old adage goes “anything that can go wrong, …Read More »Planning on Giving Money this Holiday Season? 5 Things to Consider
While gifting may be the right thing to do, it …Read More »Your 5 Task Year-End Estate Planning To-Do List
The end of the year can be a stressful time …Read More »Three Tips for Talking About Your Estate Plan During the Holidays
While discussing estate planning needs can be straightforward and simple, …Read More »Caution: Creditors Now Have Easy Access to Inherited IRAs
Inherited retirement accounts do not have asset protection, meaning they …Read More »Trusts – The Swiss Army Knife of Estate Planning
Trusts are a foundational estate planning tool with a solid …Read More »The More You Know: Reverse Mortgages & Estate Planning
Even if a reverse mortgage is right for your circumstances, …Read More »Your 2018 Taxes – Get Started Now
While the end of the year is not quite here …Read More »Estate Planning Considerations for Benefits Open Enrollment
When considering any retirement plan offered through your employer such …Read More »Why Receiving an Inheritance Changes Your Estate Plan
An inheritance can be used up faster than you would …Read More »What Estate Planning Awareness Means For You
The third week of October is National Estate Planning Awareness …Read More »How to Successfully Make a “Large” Gift to Your Children or Grandchildren
If you are able to articulate the goals and hopes …Read More »Do Your Parents Have an Estate Plan?
If you find yourself in the “sandwich generation” (someone who …Read More »Your Fall “Legal Affairs” Checklist
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group With the …Read More »Big “Life Changes” Often Mean Big “Estate Plan Changes”
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Many people …Read More »Cryptocurrency and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know
If you own cryptocurrency -- or are thinking about investing …Read More »Should your child’s guardian and trustee be the same person?
Although there is no substitute for you as a parent, …Read More »How to Pick a Trustee, Executor, and Agent Under a Power of Attorney
When you pick trustees, executors, and agents in your estate …Read More »Five Considerations When Selecting a Guardian for Your Children
Because a guardian plays such an important role in your …Read More »Retirement Planning for Business Owners
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group For many …Read More »What to Do with Your Beloved Collection
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Whether your …Read More »Legal Considerations When Getting Your New College Student Ready to Go
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group If you …Read More »Legal Considerations When Getting Your New College Student Ready to Go
Before your kids leave for college, have a frank conversation …Read More »Digital Afterlife: An Estate Plan For Your Facebook Account
While the internet has made our lives easier by allowing …Read More »3 Tips For Every New Homeowner
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Congratulations on …Read More »One Call You Must Make After You Buy a Home – That You’ve Probably Forgotten
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group During the …Read More »Joint Tenancy Pitfalls: The ‘Simple’ Fix that Can Leave Your Family Broke
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group There are …Read More »The Biggest Threats to Successful Estate Planning
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Poor estate …Read More »Financial Planning. Tax Planning. Legacy Planning. Estate Planning – How many plans do I need?!
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Most folks …Read More »Why Not Just Go on NoloⓇ and Create Your Own Estate Planning Documents Cheaply?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group There are …Read More »How to Fix 5 Common Estate Planning Problems
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Not surprisingly, …Read More »The One Thing Every New Grandparent MUST Do As Soon as Possible
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Congratulations on …Read More »Beneficiary Designations and a Blended Family: Why You Need to Think Before You Sign
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Whether you …Read More »Estate Planning When Not All of Your Kids are in the Family Business
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Owning your …Read More »Roth IRA conversions after tax reform . . . still a good idea?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Twenty years …Read More »Are Your Documents Following the Same Script? Basics of Beneficiary Forms and Estate Planning
In the event of your untimely death, the manner in …Read More »Estate Planning for People Living Together, Bachelors, and Bachelorettes
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Approximately half …Read More »Five Surprisingly Common Planning Mistakes Baby Boomers are Making in Droves
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Baby boomers: …Read More »How Estate Planning Can Help You Dream About Your Future
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group A dream …Read More »What Happens to Your Student Loan Debt When You Die?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group There are …Read More »Small Business Owner? Know What Can Happen to Your Business If You Become Incapacitated or Pass Away
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Preparing your …Read More »Who Should I Pick to be Successor Trustee?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group When you …Read More »What Do Successor Trustees and Executors Do?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Executor’s Duties …Read More »Are Payable-On-Death Accounts Right For You?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group A payable-on-death …Read More »Why Your Estate Planner Needs to Know If You’ve Lent Money to Family
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Many children …Read More »Debt After Death: Why You Should Think About It When Estate Planning
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group If you …Read More »How Your Health Savings Account (HSA) Works with Your Estate Plan
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group If you’re …Read More »Organizing for Tax (and Estate Planning) Season
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group It’s the …Read More »What to Expect from Estate Planning in 2018
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group 2017 is …Read More »Why a Spendthrift Trust Can Be a Great Solution for Your Heirs
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group There are …Read More »There’s Never A Better Time Than Now To Get Your Affairs in Order
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group The idea …Read More »Gift Giving the Tax-Free Way
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Although it’s …Read More »Four Reasons Why Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Top 1 Percent
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group There is …Read More »How to Share Family History and Heirlooms with Your Estate Plan
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group The best …Read More »Do You Own Rental Property? How Proactive, Comprehensive Estate Planning Can Help
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group A comprehensive …Read More »Does My Estate Plan Need to Include My Vacation Property?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Yes! If …Read More »Can You Bequeath Your Frequent Flyer Miles?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group If you’re …Read More »How Long Should You Keep Important Documents
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group In a …Read More »IRAs, Annuities and Guardianship: Providing for Your Minor Children after You Die
Posted by the Life and Legacy Planning Group Deciding on …Read More »Planning for the Future Without A Crystal Ball
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Creating a …Read More »It’s National Estate Planning Awareness Week 2017
Posted by the Life and Legacy Planning Group Because Congress found …Read More »How Does My Annuity Fit Into My Estate Plan?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Selecting the …Read More »How Does an IRA Fit Into Your Estate Plan?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group When you …Read More »New Baby? Time to Create Your Estate Plan
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Estate planning …Read More »How a Living Trust Helps Your Family
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group There are …Read More »Estate Planning For the Newly Married
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Now is …Read More »If I Don’t Have an Estate, Do I Really Need an Estate Plan?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group You don’t …Read More »4 Estate Planning Steps You Must Take After the Death of a Spouse
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group When a …Read More »Estate Planning: Why Me, Why Now, and Is a Will Enough?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group You have …Read More »The Perils of Joint Property
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group People often …Read More »Do You Really Need a Trust?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Although many …Read More »You May Not Think You Need a Will, But You Really Do
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Most Americans …Read More »Isn’t There Already A Law That Leaves Everything To My Spouse And Kids?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Many people …Read More »Tips for Working with a Law Firm — Get the Most Out of Your Work with Your Lawyer
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group When you …Read More »How You and Your Family Can Benefit From Late Portability Election
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group The concept …Read More »Why It’s a Good Time to Set Your Kids Up for Success
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group It can …Read More »Money Isn’t Everything in Estate Planning – How to Pass Your Stories and Values to the Future Generations
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Money may …Read More »Estate Planning for Military Families
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Although Memorial …Read More »3 Ways Your Trust Can Help a Loved One With Mental Illness
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group When a …Read More »Don’t Just Leave an Inheritance; Leave a Legacy
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group You come …Read More »The Difference between Lifetime and Deathtime Planning… and Why a Comprehensive Plan Must Include Both
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group According to …Read More »Integrating a Community Property Trust Into Your Estate Plan
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group A well-crafted …Read More »Life Events That Require an Immediate Estate Plan Update
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Estate planning …Read More »3 Ways NOT to Leave an Inheritance for Your Children
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Estate planning …Read More »Does a Dynasty Trust Make Sense for Your Family
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Earlier this …Read More »Safeguarding Your Estate Plan Against Three Worst-Case Scenarios
Posted by The Life and Legacy Planning Group Even with …Read More »Life Insurance and Estate Planning: Protecting Your Beneficiaries’ Interests
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group One misconception …Read More »How You Can Build an Estate Plan that Includes Asset Protection
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Much of …Read More »5 Reasons to Embrace the Emotional Side of Estate Planning
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group When you …Read More »How Adding a Trust Protector Can Help You and Your Family
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group You probably …Read More »Do It Now – Name a Guardian for Your Minor Children
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group We know …Read More »5 Reasons to Protect Your Retirement Accounts Now
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group During your …Read More »New Legislation Could Mean the End of Estate and GSTT Taxes
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group On January …Read More »How to Pick a Fiduciary
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group While the …Read More »Passing on a Legacy, Instead of Just Stuff
posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Successful estate …Read More »Revocable Trust vs. Irrevocable Trust: Which Do You Need
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Trusts allow …Read More »Why Factoring Long-Term Care Into Your Estate Plan Pays Off
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group For most …Read More »Impacts of the Trump Presidency on Estate Planning: Your Quick Guide
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Impacts of …Read More »Why Your Estate Planning Project Must Morph into a Process
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Many people …Read More »10 Types of Trusts: A Quick Look
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Considering the …Read More »Talking About Estate Planning In The New Year
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group As 2016 …Read More »What To Do When a Disability Throws Your Estate Plan Into Chaos
Posted by: Life and Legacy Planning Group As poet Robert …Read More »Don’t Leave Your Trust Unguarded – 6 Key Ways a Trust Protector Can Help You
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Trust Protectors …Read More »3 Reasons You Want to Avoid Probate
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group When you …Read More »Updating Your Revocable Trust: How Many “Tweaks” Are Too Many?
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group If your …Read More »Is a Financial Plan Enough? Why Experts Say You Need an Estate Plan, Too
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group If you …Read More »3 Famous Pet Trust Cases and the Lessons We Can Learn from Them
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group Not long …Read More »3 Tips for Overwhelmed Executors
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group While it …Read More »3 Celebrity Probate Disasters and Lessons to Learn from Them
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group With all …Read More »Your Estate Planning Binder: Tips for Proper Care and Maintenance
Posted by: The Life and Legacy Planning Group You finally …Read More »Did you Include Your Grandkids in Your Will? 5 Tips to Avoid Common Problems
Posted by: The Life & Legacy Planning Group As we …Read More »5 Things Every New Mother Needs to Know About Wills
Posted by: The Life & Legacy Planning Group As a …Read More »5 Mistakes Made by Successor Trustees (and How to Prevent Them)
Posted by: The Life & Legacy Planning Group When establishing …Read More »Want to Give the Kids an Early Inheritance? 4 Things to Consider
Posted by: The Life & Legacy Planning Group If you’re …Read More »New Estate Tax Law Changes Coming!
By: Brett Dale On August 4, the Treasury Department issued …Read More »Your Cyber Legacy: 3 Tips for Your Digital Assets
Posted by: The Life & Legacy Planning Group There’s an …Read More »Stress Test Your Estate Plan
So you’ve done the hard work of establishing an estate …Read More »What These 4 Famous Estate Planning Debacles Can Tell You About Proper Planning
Posted by: Heinz Brisske These four celebrity estate planning fiascos …Read More »Digital Assets
Posted by: Heinz Brisske An article in Technology Fox News is a …Read More »Tax Reform
Posted by: Heinz Brisske With the onset of a new …Read More »It’s Time for the Holidays and RMDs
By: Beth M. Cwik The holidays are here and the …Read More »The Future of the Estate Tax
Posted by: Heinz Brisske It has become a bit easier …Read More »Top Ten Tax Friendly States for Retirees
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Kiplinger conducted an analysis of the …Read More »Make a New Year’s Resolution to Review Your Estate Plan in 2015
by: Heinz Brisske An article in JDSupra Business Advisor caught …Read More »Focus on Estate Tax May Be Misplaced
Posted by: Heinz Brisske In a recent issue of The National …Read More »The ABCs of Beneficiary Designations
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Earlier this year, I posted comments …Read More »Failure to Designate Beneficiary Correctly Leads to Unintended Result
Posted by: Heinz Brisske On the heels of my post …Read More »Illinois General Assembly Replaces Health Care Power of Attorney with New Form
Posted by: Heinz Brisske On May 30, 2014, the Illinois …Read More »The Internet and Your Estate
Posted by: Joanne Brown Digital access is such an important part …Read More »Keep Your Beneficiary Designations Up-to-Date
Posted by: Heinz Brisske When was the last time you …Read More »No Tax Incentive to Make Gifts
Posted by: Heinz Brisske In a recent article, the Wall Street Journal …Read More »Obama Estate Tax Budget Proposal
Posted by: Heinz Brisske President Obama’s proposed budget revises two “permanent” …Read More »Don’t Repeat Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Estate Planning Mistakes
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Lately, it seems that every time a …Read More »Four Legal Documents Everyone Must Have
Posted by: Heinz Brisske We have long advocated the importance of …Read More »GOP Introduces Tax Repeal Bill
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Both Senator John Thune (R – S.D.) …Read More »Hugette Who? Preventing a Battle Over Your Estate
Posted by: Katie May Beyonce Knowles / Dale Jr. / Al …Read More »Frequent Flier Miles Don’t Have to Die with You
Posted by: Heinz Brisske The Chicago Tribune reports that each year …Read More »Tax Freedom Day
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Each year since 1990 the Tax Foundation …Read More »How to Leave Assets to Minor Children
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Every parent wants to make sure their …Read More »Fiscal Cliff Gift and Estate Tax Compromise
Posted by: Heinz Brisske The fiscal cliff “compromise” hammered out over …Read More »Negotiations Continue on Fiscal Cliff
Posted by: Heinz Brisske On Friday afternoon, December 28, President Obama …Read More »Give the Gift of Holiday Memories Made
Posted by: Katie May The holiday season is upon us! Family …Read More »Continued Stalemate on Fiscal Cliff
Posted by: Heinz Brisske In response to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s …Read More »Administration Proposes $1.6 Trillion Tax Increase
Posted by: Heinz Brisske House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave …Read More »Avoiding the Fiscal Cliff
Posted by: Heinz Brisske On Nov. 16, President Obama met with …Read More »100+ CEOs Support Bipartisan Budget Solution
Posted by: Heinz Brisske It is unusual for a bipartisan group …Read More »The Best Way to Initiate an Estate Planning Engagement
Posted by: Heinz Brisske First of all, you need to understand …Read More »Estate Planning Check-Up
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Congratulations on making some difficult decisions, designing …Read More »The Fiscal Cliff
Posted by: Heinz Brisske As I am sure you are all …Read More »Planning for the Golden Years
Posted by: Katie May People of all ages need to have …Read More »Protecting Minor Children
Posted by: Katie May From the moment a child is born, …Read More »College Preparation Checklist
Posted by: Katie May Imagine the emotions of a child about to …Read More »Family Legacy More Important than Personal Wealth
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Family Legacy is More Important than Personal Wealth, …Read More »5 Estate Planning Tasks That You Shouldn’t Put Off
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Christine Benz, writing for Morningstar, urges readers to …Read More »Whitney Houston: Estate Planning Lesson
Posted by: Heinz Brisske The premature death of pop star Whitney …Read More »The Importance of Advance Medical Directives
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Estate Planning involves not only the distribution …Read More »Rumors of Estate Tax Increase by Super Committee
Posted by: Heinz Brisske Rumors have been widespread that the Super …Read More »Planning for Loved Ones
Posted by: Heinz Brisske We’re hearing a lot about how Michael …Read More »The Super Committee’ Position on the Estate Tax
Posted by: Heinz Brisske On November 7, 2011, Linda Beale, in …Read More »