The holiday season is a time for reflecting on family, gratitude, and the traditions that make this time of year so special. While we often focus on gift-giving and family gatherings during the holidays, it’s also a perfect time to think about something equally important—legacy planning. Legacy planning is not just the process of passing on financial assets for future generations; it’s about preserving your values, traditions, and the essence of who you are for future generations. In this holiday-themed blog, we’ll explore the concept of legacy planning and how it goes beyond distributing assets in your estate plan, allowing you to pass on the true essence of your family’s unique story. [Read more…]

Many people tend to put off estate planning. It’s natural to want to avoid thinking about end-of-life matters, and yet, it’s a crucial responsibility to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones are provided for. While drafting a comprehensive estate plan is essential, it’s equally important to communicate your intentions and desires with your family members. The holidays are a time for family gatherings and togetherness and may be the best time to address this topic while everyone is together. In this blog, we’ll provide you with valuable tips on how to approach this delicate subject during the holiday season. [Read more…]

When people come to see us, one of the first questions we typically ask is why are you here?  We want to know what matters to someone and what they are hoping we can help them to accomplish.  And invariably, the most common answer we get is that people are looking for an estate planning document (will, trust, power of attorney, etc.)  The more we talk, it tends to come out that what people really want is to make sure that their loved ones are taken care of.  While we certainly use documents to help us accomplish goals, estate planning is not about preparing documents; it’s about ensuring that your loved ones are cared for.  One of the best ways to do this is to make sure they are informed, prepared, and on the same page when it comes to your wishes and intentions. One unique and valuable step in our estate planning process is a special meeting called the “Family Care Meeting.” In this blog, we will delve into the details of what a Family Care Meeting entails and why we believe it is a crucial aspect of your estate planning journey. [Read more…]