How Estate Plans Can Help Family Members Avoid Legal Battles

April 17, 2025
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

The ongoing rivalries among the members of the Murdoch family or between Prince William and the Duke of Sussex may seem far from everyday reality. Yet drama, lost time, and broken relationships are a genuine problem in many immediate families,...

Seniors and Caregivers: Establish an Emergency Action Plan

April 10, 2025
Brian Hicks
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

For seniors and their caregivers, having a plan in place should an emergency strike can provide some peace of mind in a turbulent world. A crisis, such as illness, trauma, natural disaster, or any other unexpected adverse event, may one...

When, Why, and How to Talk About End-of-Life Care

April 3, 2025
Brian Hicks
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Senior Living

Talking about death, especially one’s own death, remains a topic that most people avoid thinking about or openly discussing. However, avoiding conversations about death and end-of-life care can lead to discomfort, confusion, and unfulfilled wishes in the long run. According...

Spring Cleaning for Your Estate Plan: Review and Revise

March 27, 2025
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Estate planning is a valuable aspect of financial and personal planning that ensures your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes and that your health care preferences are followed. However, creating an estate plan is not a one-time...

Protecting Your Parents’ Assets From Nursing Home Costs

March 20, 2025
Brian Hicks
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

The aging U.S. population means that more people will likely need nursing home care in the coming decades. Meanwhile, the cost of nursing home care is increasing — and is expected to keep increasing. With the exorbitant cost of nursing home...

Transfer-On-Death Accounts: A Useful Estate Planning Tool

March 13, 2025
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

What Is a TOD Account? When considering how to pass your assets on to the next generation or other beneficiaries, you have many options. One tool in your estate planning toolkit is the transfer-on-death account. Transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts allow account owners...

Proper Retirement Planning Avoids Underestimating Care Costs

February 27, 2025
Brian Hicks
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

It can be easy to underestimate the amount of money we will need for health care and long-term care after we retire. Not knowing exactly what care we will need and with the costs of all types of care rising,...

Estate Planning in the Face of Natural Disasters

February 20, 2025
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog

Every year, the United States experiences a large number of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters, and the frequency and intensity of these events appears to be increasing. The recent Los Angeles wildfires are a stark reminder of...

Love Your Pet Day: Estate Planning and Your Companion Animal

February 13, 2025
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Having a pet comes with many benefits. Pets may offer companionship and loyalty, while quality time with your pet can decrease your stress levels. They can teach your children about responsibility and emotional skills. Their presence can also encourage you...

Estate Planning for a Vacation Home

February 6, 2025
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

If you are fortunate enough to own a vacation home, you need to figure out what will happen to it after you are gone. Many people in this situation hope to keep vacation homes in the family. Guaranteeing that can...