A typical initial consultation with an estate planning lawyer may look like this: you meet, you answer questions about your family and assets, and the lawyer tells you what documents you need - typically a will, trust, health care directive, and power of attorney - and what they will cost. This is a recipe for disaster because this means that the lawyer you are considering hiring is likely not versed in helping you make well-counseled decisions that you fully understand, and

If you are like most people, you probably assume that when the time comes, someone—your spouse, your children, or maybe a close friend—will be there to take care of you. But the truth is, more Americans than ever are living alone as they age, often without a clear plan for support. According to AARP, more than 16 million adults over 65 now live alone , and 77% report having no plan for living assistance  as they age. At the same time, even when family members are nearby, the

Losing someone you love reshapes your world in ways you may never expect. Some changes are obvious—you no longer share birthdays, dinners, or conversations. But the harder truth is that grief often weaves itself into the smallest details of daily life. You may notice it when you pour coffee into only one mug, when you pick up the phone and realize there’s no one to answer, or when a memory sneaks into your thoughts during the quietest part of your day. And it can feel unbeara

Each year on November 11, the nation pauses to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who’ve served in the Armed Forces. Beyond the ceremonies and flags, Veterans Day offers military families a meaningful opportunity to reflect on a vital question: Is your family truly protected if something happens to you? If you’ve served or are part of a military family, your planning needs go far beyond standard estate documents. From coordinating military benefits to preparing for depl

A client once told me she would give anything to hear her grandmother’s voice again. Her grandmother had been the heart of the family—the...

Picture this: You and your spouse spend decades building a successful business, accumulating assets, and creating a stable life for your...

Imagine you’re worth $17 billion and have over 100 biological children—some born through relationships, others through anonymous sperm...

I had an interesting conversation with a potential client last week. After explaining my Life & Legacy Planning® process, she said, "This...

When wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died at age 71, the world lost an icon. But behind the headlines about his estimated $25 million estate...

You hired a lawyer, signed your estate planning documents, and filed them safely away. Or maybe your financial advisor created your...

When Anna Harp lost her father, Rudolph Clausing , she didn’t get to say goodbye. It was January 2021, during the height of the COVID-19...

You've just lost someone important to you, and now you're responsible for their home. Maybe it's sitting empty while you figure out what...

Labor Day has always been about honoring the American worker—the people who build our communities, power our economy, and create the...

When you think about estate planning, you probably picture wills, trusts, and who gets what. But what happens when decisions are made...

The massive tax legislation known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill"  (“OBBB”) became law on July 4, 2025, brings  sweeping changes that...

Jimmy Buffett built an empire around the laid-back "Margaritaville" lifestyle, but his $275 million estate has become anything but...

When Ian Burke, a mail carrier from Destin, Texas , heard that Floyd—a 70-pound dog he'd befriended on his delivery route—had ended up in...

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and there’s a case in the headlines right now that drives home just how important this issue is....

The statistics are sobering. According to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances , the wealth gap between white Americans...

Imagine this: You've built a business empire worth hundreds of millions of dollars, transformed a city's downtown area, and touched...