When we create an estate plan, most of us aren't thinking about family conflict. We are thinking about protecting the people we love, providing for our families, and making things easier for those we leave behind. But what happens when the people responsible for carrying out that plan can't agree?

Back in 2021, we shared our list of the “Top 10 Fatal Estate Planning Mistakes.” That article highlighted the most common oversights that can undermine your ability to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your legacy. Since then, we’ve come across even more pitfalls that people frequently overlook. Avoiding these additional missteps will help ensure your plan works exactly as intended.

You've probably heard about the importance of setting up a trust, funding it, and avoiding probate. But what do all these terms mean, exactly? How do you “fund” a trust, and why is avoiding probate so important?  We will break down these basic Estate Planning terms and concepts in an easy-to-dig...

Do you know the impact on you and your loved ones if your estate has to go through probate or guardianship court? Probate is a legal process where the court appoints an executor to administer the estate and distribute assets. In the case of a disability, an estate can go through guardianship court, where a guardian is appointed to handle the financial affairs and healthcare decisions of the disabled person. These court processes can happen when someone doesn’t previously have a trust with their assets coordinated properly with it. They are lengthy, expensive, stressful, and...avoidable.