Princess Diana of Wales was one of the world’s most loved celebrities – and one of the richest. Her tragic death in 1997 was world news. The majority of her estate, reportedly worth $40 million at the time of her death, was divided between Prince William and Prince Harry in her estate plan. However, she
Are Handwritten Intentions Enforceable? Princess Diana Thought So… Read more »
When you hear the phrase “estate plan,” you might first think about paperwork. Or your mind might land on some of the uncomfortable topics that estate planning confronts head-on: end-of-life decisions, incapacity, and your family’s legacy from generation to generation. Those subjects hit home for everyone. But while that could feel like a reason to
5 Reasons to Embrace the Emotional Side of Estate Planning Read more »
There is a common misconception that estate plans are only for the ultra-rich – the top 1 percent, 10%, 20%, or some other arbitrary determination of “enough” money. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. People at all income and wealth levels can benefit from a comprehensive estate plan. Sadly, many have not
Four Reasons Why Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Top 1 Percent Read more »
There’s an entire category of commonly-overlooked legacy to consider – digital assets. Don’t worry if you didn’t consider these assets when made your will or trust – it’s surprisingly common and, luckily, easy to correct. What are digital assets? They include: your photos (yes, all those selfies are a digital asset), files stored in the
Your Cyber Legacy: 3 Tips for Your Digital Assets Read more »
Estate planning offers many ways to leave your wealth to your children, but it’s just as important to know what not to do. Here are some things that are all-too-common, but textbook examples of what not to do or try… “Oral Wills” If you feel you have a good rapport with your family or don’t
3 Decidedly Dumb Ways to Leave an Inheritance for Your Children Read more »
You intend to pass along your wealth through your estate plan, but what about your wisdom? Ensuring you accomplish both calls for a family meeting to have a conversation about your money, your legacy, and your core principles. Most families lead far-flung and busy lives, meaning the only time they see one another face-to-face is
Estate Planning That Expresses Who You Are: 5 Things to Talk About with Your Family Read more »
The following Checklist is to help employers minimize the legal risks presented by employer-sponsored holiday parties. This checklist addresses sexual harassment prevention, avoiding harms created by alcohol consumption, workers’ compensation liability, and wage and hour claims. The festive atmosphere combined with the consumption of alcohol at an employer-sponsored holiday party make it a potential venue
What to Know about Holiday Work Parties and Liability Read more »
Money may be the most talked about wealth contained within a person’s estate, but the riches of their experience and wisdom can mean even more to family members down the line. Reinforcement of family traditions can be built into your estate plan alongside your wishes regarding your money, property, and belongings. After all, what really
A will documents who gets what (and when) after you die. Without a will, state law doles out your belongings. In many cases, your assets may end up in the hands of complete strangers. That’s exactly what happened to these three mega-celebrities: James Dean. Dean died intestate (without a will) in 1955 at the age
3 Mega-Celebrities Who Died Without A Will: Do Not Follow In Their Footsteps! Read more »
Substance addiction is by no means rare, impacting as many as one in seven Americans. Because of its prevalence, navigating a loved one’s addiction is actually a relatively common topic in everyday life. But you should also consider it when working on your estate planning. Whether the addiction is alcoholism, drug abuse, or behavioral like
How Your Trust Can Help a Loved One Who Struggles with Addiction Read more »