The concept of an Ethical Will has been around since biblical times. It was a way for people to pass on their shared stories, wisdom, and blessings to the next generation. It is not a legal document like a last will and testament. Instead of laying out who will inherit the assets, it leaves a type of moral inheritance such as philosophies, memories, life lessons, and wishes for loved ones and future generations. It can be as simple as a letter written to one’s children and grandchildren, or it can be a longer personal history. Read on to learn more about what Ethical Wills are, why you should write one, and what to include in yours.

Memorial Day honors our nation’s heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. As we cherish the legacies they leave behind, it can serve as a reminder that all of us have legacies to leave our loved ones and communities. For military service members, risking their lives for their country is part of the job, which makes it that much more important that they have an Estate Plan in place to protect themselves, their families, and to leave a legacy of their own design.

Easter Egg Hunts are a delight for kids, searching high and low for those candy-filled eggs. Setting up these scavenger hunts for your children is a beautiful pastime. However, what parents should want to avoid are these types of scavenger hunts later in life, making their children search everywhere for estate planning documents during a time of grief. Here are some tips on how to avoid a "hunt" for important documentation and take some of the strain out of a difficult situation.

Estate Planning is never static; it grows and changes along with you. When you're a business owner, it adds another level of complexity that you need to maintain to ensure everything with you and your business remains up to date. Depending on where you are in your life journey (and the life of your business), there are certain Estate Planning elements you should be aware of and questions you should ask yourself along the way. 

I recently watched a news story that said despite being squeezed by the higher prices of inflation, Americans aren't slowing down their holiday purchases. To make matters worse, even though the average credit card's APR now tops 19%, people are charging record amounts to their credit cards in ord...

The busyness and stress over the holiday season can easily disrupt intimacy in marriages. To avoid letting the crazy calendar, expenses, and relatives get you bickering with each other, we've compiled a quick list of tips to help you get through the holidays with a thankful heart and a strong uni...

Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. People of all ages and all income brackets should have an estate plan. Unfortunately, less than 50% of adults in the US have created a will or set up a trust. We're here to change that. We've compiled the top ten reasons why YOU should have an estate p...

When’s the last time you took a vacation? There’s a ton of research showing that taking time off is really important for your well-being, lowering rates of heart disease and reducing stress, depression, and anxiety. But what if you need a vacation and can’t get out of the city because of things like budget concerns or conflicting schedules? The average travel budget is around $323 per person, per day! Let’s save that cash and travel time and get the benefits of a vacation without ever leaving home. Here are some ways to create that “getting away” feeling within your house and hometown.

Over the years, he's done so much for you and shared his wisdom (whether you wanted to hear it or not). For Father's Day, this can be your time to give something back to your elderly father: help with developing an estate plan. You can't give him a completed estate plan, but you can gift him yo...

What if, tucked in an envelope on top of the usual box of chocolates you give to your mother this Mother’s Day, was something that would make this year’s holiday truly remarkable and bring you even closer together? It wouldn’t cost any money, just your time and a tap into your memory and emotions. I’m talking about a letter, written by you, to express thanks to your mom. It’s a gesture that is sure to be a highlight of all her Mother’s Day holidays.

Being organized is not only the state of your house but your state of mind. The benefits to becoming more organized in your life are significant: less stress, peace of mind, more confidence, items are in their place, time and money are saved, and more connection with friends and family. We’ve compiled a list of tips to help you become organized and remain organized in your home and in your life in general.

Did you know one of the best ways to say "I love you" isn't used by more than two-thirds of Americans? It's something all of us should do, no matter our circumstances, yet most of us don't; sometimes it's just a matter of procrastination, or perhaps it's because we don't think we need to do it (a...

It's the beginning of a new year so naturally we are all talking about making positive changes and creating resolutions. Unfortunately, resolutions have a bad reputation for being short-lived, fizzling out immediately or soon after being made. Let's focus on making goals, not resolutions. Goals a...

What kind of activities are on your holiday bucket list for Christmas Eve? You know, the traditions you partake in every year. They might include hanging up your stockings, tracking Santa, or opening one gift (or two...or three!). Has it been a while since you've added something new to the list? We've compiled some fun and simple things you can do with loved ones on Christmas Eve to add a new tradition to the list and spend some quality family time together.

The look on your child's face when they open the ultimate present they've been asking for can be a truly fun experience. But without a counterbalance of gratitude and a giving spirit, our children can quickly become spoiled. What should be a wholesome and loving family holiday can devolve into va...

When we experience anxiety, our mind pulls us away from the present and focuses on future fears or past regrets. To get us back to focusing on the here and now and to stop dwelling on negative thoughts, we need to ground ourselves through the one thing that can only ever be in the present: our bodies. To do that, we use the five senses with what's called the 5-4-3-2-1 technique.

The House Ways and Means Committee recently proposed a draft tax bill that, if passed, could create some serious impacts on current estate planning strategies, and much quicker than expected. Below is a summary; to read the full details, click on the link at the end of this post. The Estate and ...

After more than a year of wearing masks, virtual learning, and keeping our distance, kids are going back to in-school learning. But for some children, the pandemic has left a serious emotional and developmental impact. Activities that would have felt safe and normal pre-pandemic, like making new ...

You've worked hard and handled your responsibilities and now you're ready to retire. Congratulations! How do you envision spending your newly found freedom? We've compiled a list that is sure to give you some great ideas on designing your retirement life, whether you're feeling adventurous, want to reconnect with your passions, or desire some quiet time.

On Father's Day, there are many different ways to celebrate your dad, the father of your children, or an important father figure in your life. We've compiled a list of activities to make this Father's Day memorable for you and him. The key ingredient in all of them? Spending time with the people ...

Estate Planning is important for everyone no matter their age or socioeconomic status. If you don't have an Estate Plan, you are leaving yourself, your assets, and your loved ones unprotected in the event of your disability or death. Here are the most common mistakes people make with regards to Estate Planning.

Holiday traditions can be beautiful things that add to your faith and strengthen your family life. But as life isn't static, neither are traditions. Family changes, like children becoming adults, marriage, divorce, the loss of a loved one, or the addition of a new family member can cause a shift ...

Important documentation, such as a business plan, an operating agreement, annual lists, licenses, employment/contractor agreements, insurance policies, etc., come together to make the "guts" of your business. If your company is missing some essential foundational documents, you're not only hindering your ability to succeed but also opening yourself for unnecessary legal risk as your corporate veil could be pierced. Also, if your business is lacking in this area, what other gaps are you facing that you might not be aware of?

There's a new approach to marriage I'd like to share with you. It's the concept of focusing on you and your partner's well-being and enjoyment ahead of accumulating money, climbing a career ladder, or bending to the pressure to constantly be "on." It's the deliberate and intentional change in val...

There's a sign in my office that reads, "Find something you would die for, and live for it." It's a philosophy I take seriously and encourage others to follow. I believe we should all create significance in our lives by following our passions and having a positive impact on others. Because if we'...