Whatever the time of year, it is always good for members of the military and their loved ones to create or revisit their estate plan. Military families face unique estate planning considerations that others do not, especially when a family member is deployed overseas or receives a temporary duty ...
When investigators entered the home of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Machiko Arakawa, in a gated community outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, 2025, they found the couple dead under mysterious circumstances. Following their investigation, authorities pieced together...
You and your spouse live together, work together, and likely spend a great deal of your free time together. Having a successful marriage and business takes hard work and dedication, but it can also be among the most rewarding things in life. To help keep you on the right track, here are a few tip...
The Lifetime QTIP Trust Estate planning for couples in a second or subsequent marriage can be tricky, especially if their estates are disproportionate. One solution that allows the more affluent spouse to maintain control of their property and wealth and minimize potential estate taxes—while ke...
Believe it or not, it is not easy to disinherit your spouse in the United States. In many states and the District of Columbia, you cannot intentionally disinherit your spouse unless your spouse agrees to receive nothing from your estate in a prenuptial, postnuptial, or other marital agreement. Ho...
A primary goal of estate planning is to financially provide for your loved ones. One way to ensure that they are set up for lifelong success is with an inheritance that pays for their education. Higher levels of education are positively correlated with better life outcomes, including improved h...
Fighting over provisions in your will or trust can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your financial legacy, and tear your loved ones apart. However, with proper planning, you can help your family avoid a potentially disastrous fight. If you are concerned about challenges to your estat...
It's Planning Season To have a successful farm, thoughtful planning must be done every season. Your life is no different. To properly prepare for the next season in your life and the lives of your loved ones, you need a well-executed estate plan. When crafting a foundational plan to protect your...
Ways to Keep a Loved One's Memory Alive After They Pass When somebody close to us passes away, we are left with constant reminders of them. Maybe it is a jacket hanging in the closet that still bears the scent of their cologne, a dog-eared book on their nightstand, their handwriting on a scrap o...
In many families, everyone gets along, happily gathering for the holidays, sharing laughs, telling stories, and enjoying each other's company. Then, the matriarch or patriarch dies. Suddenly, years of pent-up resentment and hurt feelings surface, and the once-happy family is now embroiled in liti...
Many estate plans contain revocable living trusts that will become irrevocable (cannot be easily changed or terminated) when the trustmaker dies. Such trusts may benefit the surviving spouse during their lifetime and may continue for the benefit of several additional generations. Because these tr...
How To Handle Out-of-State Property in Your Estate Plan Out-of-state property can present unique legal and logistical challenges regarding estate planning. Understanding how to manage these properties within your estate plan is essential to prevent delays and avoid unnecessary costs for your he...
Money and property may be the most discussed types of wealth that a person owns, but the riches of their experience and wisdom can mean even more to loved ones down the line. Reinforcement of family traditions can be built into your estate plan alongside your wishes regarding the distribution of ...
Rising housing costs, the desire for companionship, and the need to share resources are increasingly leading buyers to consider co-owning a home with someone other than a spouse, such as a friend, relative, or significant other. Although this arrangement can be beneficial on several levels, it ...
Common Estate Planning Myths Debunked Estate planning can feel overwhelming, and many people delay it because of misconceptions. Whether you think you're too young, your estate is too small, or that your family can handle things after you're gone, it's important to understand that proper plannin...
In this video, Bill explains Ladybird Deeds, including the pros, cons, and when he might use one with his clients.
Watch Bill discuss the 3 most important questions that you should address in creating your estate plan.
Watch Bill's latest video explaining what causes probate and some ways that you can avoid it.
Myths and Frequently Asked Questions Incapacity Planning Myth 1: I do not have to worry about becoming disabled or unable to manage my financial and personal affairs because I am young. Reality: Anyone can become disabled, at any age. While the odds of disability increase with age, it is n...
Bills and Services to Cancel—and Keep—When a Loved One Dies A loved one's passing is challenging on many different levels. In addition to the emotional difficulty of processing someone's death, there are also the many tasks that must be dealt with, such as going through their various accounts a...
What Happens to Elvis' Legacy Now? Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, died in 1977. Like most celebrities of his stature, he left behind a complicated legacy—and a considerable estate. Elvis' estate, including Graceland, ended up in the hands of his only child, Lisa Marie Presley, who p...
Your estate plan, like your home, periodically needs a thorough polishing. Your life circumstances are constantly changing, and an estate plan that perfectly met your needs a couple of years ago may now be cluttered with outdated provisions or documents. With spring fast approaching, now is the t...
Three Tips for Overwhelmed Executors While it is an honor to be named as a trusted decision maker, also known as an executor or personal representative, in a person's will, it can often be a sobering and daunting responsibility. Being an executor requires a high level of organization, foresight,...
Creating an estate plan is a personal and often emotional undertaking, making the selection of your estate planning attorney of the utmost importance. Here are some questions you should ask your estate planning attorney to determine if they are the right person for the job. Why did they pick est...
Everyone knows that one day they will have to accept the fact that they are mortal and will pass away. However, many people never consider the possibility that they might become incapacitated at some point and therefore, fail to make a plan. Watch Bill Kilpatrick in one of his webinars go ove...
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