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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As you know, the Fourth of July and all it represents freedom, independence, and the pursuit of happiness. But, don’t forget, estate planning equals freedom as well. Estate Planning gives the right to decide your own affairs, even after death or in the event of incapacity. An estate plan, specifically a Life & Legacy Plan, is the way to express your liberty. It’s your personal Declaration of Independence.

Did you know that when your child turns 18, the law considers them to be an adult? While the law may consider them to be an adult, they often have more growing up to do whether they think they think they do or not! However, because the law considers them to be an adult, their health and financial information is protected by privacy laws. But, they’re still your child.

As a father, you've always strived to provide the best for your family, ensuring their well-being and securing their future. However, even the most well-intentioned plans can fail if you overlook the complexities of estate planning.

Are you an LGBTQIA+ non-biological parent? June's arrival sparks a flurry of Pride celebrations reminding you of the remarkable progress the community has made. These celebrations also shine a light on the ongoing fight for full equality. As a non-biological parent, you may face unique legal hurdles. Ensure you properly protect your parental rights. Marriage may not be enough to cement your parental rights. But, marriage plus estate planning gives you the maximum peace of mind. So, read on to learn som essential LGBTQIA Estate Planning Tips for Non-Biological Parents.

Did you know you can define your legacy through estate planning? Well, this holiday weekend is a great time to start this process. You see, Memorial Day is a time to reflect on mortality, remembrance, and legacy. As we honor the brave men and women who lost their lives in military service, think about the legacy you wish to leave behind. But what is a legacy?

Welcome back to our discussion on securing a comfortable retirement! In the first part of this series, we explored essential steps including estate planning, preparing for long-term care, and passing on your legacy. In part two of our series, we'll delve into additional steps you can take to enrich your golden years. With these steps, you can be more financially stable. And these steps can provide you with independence, health, and continued personal growth. So let's pick up where we left off. Learn how you can secure your retirement.

Mothers, the eternal caretakers, spend their days and nights ensuring the happiness, health, and safety of their children. Whether you're a mother yourself or not, the influence of a mother is undeniable. As Mother’s Day approaches, let’s delve into a gift that holds profound significance for every mother: the ability to secure peace of mind and financial stability through thoughtful estate planning.

When that extra bit of money from your tax refund lands in your bank account, (kinda feels like Christmas, doesn’t it?) it's easy to start dreaming about all the ways you can use it. Financial experts may tell you that it's a chance to pay off debts, tuck away savings for an emergency, or add to your retirement savings. You, on the other hand, may want to splurge on something special. However, there's an often-overlooked option that not only provides immediate satisfaction but ensures long-term benefits for both you and your loved ones: estate planning.

Should you write your own will or trust? Before you start, you may want to consider some of the dangers of DIY Wills and Trusts. If you’ve been traveling around the sun for a while, you’ve no doubt heard of a Will. A will is a document that says what happens to your money and belongings after you die. You may even have a Will. Or, you know you should get one. And maybe you’ve heard of a Trust and wondered what it is and how it works. You may have even done research on Google about how to do your own Will or Trust.In fact, it’s hard to poke around the internet and not find do-it-yourself (“DIY”) Wills and Trusts services. Legal Zoom, TrustandWill.com, and even media personalities Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman offer cheap DIY documents. Heck, you can even create your own Will or Trust for free by downloading a few forms. What these websites won’t do, however, is explain the potential consequences that can happen if you use one of their services.

Anyone who’s seen an episode of “Modern Family” knows that families these days come in many different shapes and sizes. Long gone are the days when a “family” was defined as a mother, father and two children (or was it 2.5 children? Where does the .5 come from anyway?). Estate planning for blended families is becoming even more prevalent. In this article, we’ll focus on one of the types of families that’s common in our modern culture: the blended family.

Whether it’s a breakup, divorce, or the death of a loved one after a lifetime together, every relationship eventually will come to an end. The most important thing is how you have planned for that ending, or whether you haven’t at all,. Your planning (or lack of it) will have a real impact on you, your partner, your children, and your assets. 

The silver lining? While we can't prevent the end, we can prepare for it with a blend of compassion and strategic planning that makes the end the best possible foundation for a new beginning.

Love is undoubtedly the most profound and cherished thread that weaves us all together, and there are many different ways to express our love to the people who mean the most to us. Often when we think of showing our love, we think of bouquets of flowers, surprise gifts, and meaningful notes. But an often overlooked – and incredibly meaningful – way of showing your love is to put that love into a plan for the future.