Should You Pay Off Debts Before Making a Will or Trust?

January 22, 2026
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

The Debt vs. Estate Planning Dilemma Many people delay estate planning because they feel weighed down by debt — credit cards, student loans, mortgages, or personal loans. The logic seems simple: I’ll create a will or trust once my finances are...

Annual Gift Tax and Estate Tax Exemptions for 2026

January 15, 2026
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the gift tax and estate tax exclusions for tax year 2026. These exclusion amounts are adjusted annually to account for changes in the cost of living. The following updates become effective January 1,...

Probate Law: A Look Across States

January 8, 2026
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

“Probate” is a term often heard in estate planning discussions, but do you really know what it is, how it works, and how to “probate-proof” your estate? Avoiding probate is a common goal — and for good reason. Probate can...

Estate Planning: Funding Your Revocable Living Trust

December 18, 2025
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

A revocable living trust is a valuable estate planning tool. It not only allows you to remain in control of your finances while you are alive and ensures they remain well-managed if you become unable to manage them yourself (known as becoming...

Will a Revocable Living Trust Reduce Your Estate Tax?

December 4, 2025
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Minimizing Estate Taxes Many people assume that when they establish a revocable living trust, property held in the trust will completely avoid federal estate taxes after their death, when in fact, living trusts do not provide any unique estate tax avoidance...

What Most People Don’t Know About Durable Powers of Attorney

November 20, 2025
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Though you are likely in good health now and can handle your own financial transactions and health care decisions, there is always a chance you could lose that ability. It could happen suddenly, as with a car accident, or gradually,...

How to Know When to Update Your Estate Plan

October 30, 2025
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Creating an estate plan is one of the most important steps a person can take to provide for their loved ones and ensure their wishes are carried out. But drafting a will, trust, or related documents is not a “one-and-done”...

What to Do When Someone Is Contesting a Will

October 16, 2025
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Dealing with the emotional aftermath of a loved one's passing away is always a challenge. But matters can become even more stressful if someone challenges the deceased person’s will. Challenging a will, also known as a will contest or contesting a...

Finding a Reputable Funeral Home

October 9, 2025
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Senior Living

Funeral homes are trusted with handling a person’s remains with care and sensitivity, coordinating burial or cremation, and sometimes hosting wakes and memorial services. In the United States, there are currently over 24,000 funeral homes. While funeral homes should operate ethically, that...

One Common Estate Tax Error That Could Cost You

September 11, 2025
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

In estate planning, there is a surprisingly common misstep that can have costly consequences for some families. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted this error: the failure to file an estate tax return upon the death of the first...