The Hidden Gender Gap in Estate Planning—and How to Close It
The overall rate of estate planning in the United States is low, with less than one-quarter of Americans having a basic will. Within those already low numbers, men are more likely than women to have formal estate plans. This disparity is due not simply to differences in income or asset levels but also to timing, priorities, and the roles men and women tend to occupy over the course of their lives. Closing the estate planning gap may be addressed at an individual level through education, conversations, and professional guidance.
Ancillary Probate: When It Is Used, Where It Occurs, and How to Avoid It
Many people own property in more than one state, such as an ocean-side vacation home or a rental property in a former home state. It is important to think about how that property will be handled after you pass away. Through proper estate planning, you can help minimize the burdensome court proceedings your loved ones may otherwise face after your death.
Does my Spouse’s Citizenship Affect my Estate?
Regardless of the citizenship status of your family members or loved ones, it is crucial to create a well-thought-out estate plan to provide for them in the way you intend and to minimize your potential tax liability.
Why Title Matters
The title of your real estate can play a significant role in how your estate plan is set up and how your assets are ultimately distributed.
Talking to Aging Parents About Estate Planning
Beyond the practical purpose of transferring assets and reducing taxes, an estate plan reflects love, responsibility, and values.
Love, Loss, and Legacy: Handling Sentimental Belongings After the Death of a Loved One
While your estate plan may describe in detail who will receive big-ticket items, your loved ones may argue over small nostalgic items that you unintentionally omitted. To prevent family strife and forestall bickering among your loved ones, you also need to think in a big-picture way about the little things in your estate.
Estate Planning Tips for Someone Facing Major Surgery
After notifying loved ones of your impending surgery, your first call to a professional should be to your estate planning attorney. Time is of the essence, and your attorney can quickly triage the documents that provide the most immediate protection for you and your family.
Estate Planning as a Love Language: Protecting Those Who Depend on You
Estate planning is a love language all of its own that can communicate care not only through gifts of money and property but also through the act of planning for what will eventually happen to us. It is a way of showing love to the people who depend on us by creating clarity and support so that they are not left guessing or scrambling when we are no longer here.
Why Retirement Is the Right Time to Revisit Your Estate Plan
Whether you are approaching retirement or already in it, this stage calls for a fresh look at your estate plan and timely adjustments that match your next chapter.
Why Receiving an Inheritance Changes Your Estate Plan
A well-designed estate plan can help anticipate and mitigate these risks by providing structure, guidance, and protection around inherited wealth.