Who Holds Your Will and Other Estate Planning Documents?

December 19, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Wills & Trusts

Once you've taken the step to create a will and get your estate plan in order, you need to figure out what to do with the will itself. Keeping track of the location of your current will – as well...

Estate Planning Checklist: 5 Initial Steps You Can Take

December 12, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Wills & Trusts

Most of us spend little time thinking about death or losing the capacity to manage our own affairs. These are unpleasant topics and banishing them from our minds is easier than entertaining them. Death, however, is inevitable, and becoming incapacitated...

10 Do’s and 1 Don’t for the Trustee of a Trust

November 21, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Whether it feels like an honor or a burden (or both), you may have been appointed to serve as the trustee of a trust. What sort of responsibilities do you face in this role, and what can you do to...

Who Needs a Trust Instead of a Will?

October 28, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Creating an estate plan can protect your loved ones and establish your legacy. With an estate plan, you can provide for your loved ones after your death, transferring to them such assets as your home, vehicle, bank accounts, and personal...

A black and gold pen sits on top of a document near the signature line

What Is a Trustee in Estate Planning?

October 10, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

A trustee is a person or institution appointed to manage a trust on behalf of the beneficiaries of the trust. Being a trustee is a significant responsibility. Those serving in this role must always act in the best interests of...

Glasses, black pen and calculator sit on top of paperwork titled Estate Planning

11 Reasons You Need to Create an Estate Plan

October 3, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Many people believe estate plans are only for extremely wealthy families who are looking to reap tax benefits. Or they may delay estate planning because they are young. Others do not understand why an estate plan is important in the...

Why Trusts Are Important Estate Planning Tools

September 12, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Estate planning involves creating a plan for where – and to whom – your assets will go upon your death. The process can include making a will, designating which of your loved ones should receive your retirement accounts and life...

Blended Families and Wills in Estate Planning

August 15, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Wills & Trusts

Today, 16 percent of children in the United States live in blended families, according to U.S. Census data. This can include those living in households that have a stepparent, stepsibling, or half-sibling. In many cases, stepchildren receive the same treatment as...

What You Should Know About Long-Term Care

June 20, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

Research shows that roughly one in seven adults aged 65 or older will need long-term care at some point in their later years. Meanwhile, tens of millions of Baby Boomers in the United States are growing older and living longer.

5 Ways to Update Your Estate Plan After a “Gray” Divorce

June 13, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Wills & Trusts

Deciding to end a marriage as an older adult is increasingly common. If your marriage ended later in life, you could be part of the “gray” divorce trend. AARP reports that Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are...