Thanksgiving is a time for connection, reflection, and the occasional spirited debate over who gets the last slice of pie. Thanksgiving is also an opportunity to tackle important family conversations, including estate planning. While discussing topics like wills, powers of attorney, and inheritance might not feel as warm and fuzzy as sharing recipes, these discussions are deeply tied to the values of gratitude and care that define this holiday.

Thanksgiving—one of the most beloved holidays—offers much more than an indulgent meal of turkey, stuffing, and pie. For all of us, it’s an opportunity to focus not just on gratitude for the present but on building a future your family will thank you for. This Thanksgiving, let’s talk about a topic often overlooked amid the holiday hustle: preserving and protecting your family’s legacy. So, et’s talk turkey about Thanksgiving and legacy planning, shall we?

As Veterans Day approaches, we honor the courageous men and women who have served our country with dedication and resilience. Veterans’ legacy of service speaks to their commitment to protecting America's future. Now, it’s time to consider how you can protect your family’s future through a comprehensive estate plan, or what I call a Life & Legacy Plan. Learn more about your Veteran’s basic planning essentials.

Much like a military mission, estate planning requires attention to detail, foresight, and a commitment to those who depend on you. In this article, we'll explore the unique estate planning opportunities available for veterans and steps to ensure your family benefits fully from your legacy of service.

As Gen-Xers and Millennials face the challenges of caregiving, many find themselves balancing careers, raising children, and managing their finances while also assuming responsibilities for aging parents. Caring for aging parents, managing their healthcare, finances, and future plans is a reality that many in these generations are navigating. This shift in roles has led to new questions and responsibilities around preserving family legacies and ensuring long-term care security. Protecting your parents' legacy can feel overwhelming, but with proactive estate planning, you can preserve their legacy and ensure that their wishes are honored.

Retirement is one of those milestones we all think about but rarely feel fully prepared for, especially among Gen-Xers and Millennials. You’re juggling responsibilities—raising children, advancing your career, and even caring for aging parents. Amidst all these demands, retirement planning may often take a back seat, yet it’s crucial. As you navigate your unique financial situations, collaborating with a financial planner can significantly enhance your retirement strategy. Learn more about why you need financial and estate planning.

As our loved ones age, it's natural to start thinking about how we can support them during their final stages of life. As Gen Xers and Millennials, many of us are finding ourselves in a new role—helping our aging parents plan for their future. Conversations about end-of-life care can be tough, but they’re more important than ever. Without a plan in place, the journey through end-of-life decisions can be confusing and painful for everyone involved. So, let’s talk about how to navigage end of life care for our loved ones.

When it comes to planning for the future, most people think about finances, property, and inheritance. But what about your health? If you're unable to speak for yourself, who will make medical decisions on your behalf? That’s where healthcare directives come into play.

In today’s fast-paced world, managing wealth has become more challenging than ever, especially for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from Gen X and Millennials. As these generations accumulate significant assets through entrepreneurship, investments, and inheritance, they face unique risks that could jeopardize their hard-earned wealth. From lawsuits to market downturns, asset protection is essential in maintaining financial stability and ensuring that future generations benefit from their legacy.  So, it’s important to learn some asset protection strategies for high net worth individuals.

Are you approaching retirement? Or, are you already retired? If so, estate planning is a key part of your overall financial strategy. Many people focus on building their retirement nest egg. But, ensuring those assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes is just as important. For Gen-X and Baby Boomers nearing, or in retirement, estate planning provides peace of mind, safeguards your family, and ensures your legacy is preserved. Read on to learn how estate planning fits your retirement goals.

When you pass away or can’t make decisions anymore, many of your things, like your house or money, might have to go through something called probate. Probate is like a court process where a judge helps figure out who gets what. But probate can take a long time, cost a lot, and everyone can see what’s going on, which is why most people want to avoid probate.

Last week, we talked about how probate works. Now, let’s look at why it can be a hassle for your family and how to help them avoid it.

If you’re responsible for aging parents or raising young children, one of the most important financial steps you can take is estate planning. Unfortunately, if a proper estate plan isn’t in place, many of your assets will have to go through a process called probate before being passed to your loved ones. Probate is something you’ll want to avoid for your family because it can be time-consuming, expensive, and even emotionally stressful. So, let us help you with understanding probate and how to avoid it.

You have worked hard to build your wealth and provide for your family's future. Whether you've accumulated wealth through years of prudent saving, wise investments, or successful business ventures, preserving that wealth for your children, grandchildren, and future generations is likely a priority. One of the most effective tools available for this purpose is the Dynasty Trust. Read on to learn how Dynasty Trusts can preserve wealth across generations.

As your parents age, the roles often reverse—you find yourself stepping into the role of caregiver and decision-maker. This transition can be emotionally and mentally challenging. But, it’s also an opportunity to ensure that your parents’ golden years are as comfortable and secure as possible. Two crucial aspects of this responsibility are long-term care planning and estate management. This blog post will explore how to balance these two critical elements, providing you with practical tips and legal insights tailored to residents of North Carolina. Caring for aging parents can be emotionally taxing but we are here for you.

Estate planning is often associated with retirees or those nearing the end of life. But, as you approach retirement, it's crucial to start thinking about your financial future and how to protect your assets. Estate planning is a critical step in ensuring that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are cared for, no matter what the future holds. For pre-retirees near Garner, North Carolina, understanding the basics of estate planning is crucial to ensuring that your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Imagine you review your state’s unclaimed funds list. You discover thousands of dollars that belong to you. You’re excited! You go to collect the money. You’re told you can’t have it. What? Welcome to the reality of unclaimed property risks.

As an estate planning attorney, I cannot express enough how important it is to name beneficiaries on your investment accounts. But, just naming a beneficiary is not enough. Yo need to review those beneficiaries on a regular basis. As your life changes, so may your intended beneficiaries. Yet people forget to change those designations. Read on to learn how failing to update beneficiary designations can cost you millions.

Your parents die. You inherit their house. Imagine your surprise when a few months later, you learn that your inherited house is listed for sale. But you didn’t hire the realtor! All too often scammers like to target inherited properties. Learn how to avoid seller scams when inheriteng prperty from a deceased loved one.

No one likes to think that they may one day become incapacitated. However, planning for incapacity is crucial. Because, unlike death, it’s not guaranteed for everyone. However, if you do become incapacitated, having a plan in place ensures your wishes are honored. That’s why incapacity planning is no laughing matter.

This month we are delving into celebrity estate planning and its impact on various celebrities. Last week, we examined Michael Jackson's estate planning. We saw the gaps that led to 15 years of family conflict and court battles. If you missed it, check it out!

In this second article of our four-part series, we are going to look at Vanilla Ice. Vanilla Ice recently shared his estate planning experiences, advice, and lessons learned in a YouTube video. He has a lot to say! I'll highlight some user comments and key takeaways we can learn from.

This month we are covering the top celebrity estate planning mistakes to avoid. What is it about celebrities that captivates us? The allure of a juicy celebrity story is irresistible. Perhaps we see a bit of ourselves in them? Or, maybe their seemingly unattainable lives fascinate us. Celebrities lead lives that are both glamorous and just beyond our reach, making them endlessly intriguing.