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Why Would You Use a Revocable Trust?

Posted by Jason Johnson | Mar 11, 2024 | 0 Comments

Revocable trusts, also known as living trusts, are a cornerstone of modern estate planning. Unlike wills, which become effective upon death, revocable trusts offer flexibility and control over assets during one's lifetime.  Understanding why you might choose a revocable trust over other estate planning tools can help you make informed decisions about managing your assets and ensuring your wishes are fulfilled.

5 Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Posted by Jason Johnson | Jan 11, 2024 | 0 Comments

Estate planning is an essential part of financial planning, but it can be a complex process. Unfortunately, many people make common estate planning mistakes that can have serious consequences.  Let's take a look at five of the most common estate planning mistakes and how to avoid them.

Your Legacy: How Do You Want to Be Remembered?

Posted by Jason Johnson | Nov 08, 2023 | 0 Comments

When we lose a loved one, we often have memories of special events and occasions, the support they provided us, or specific qualities of that person we will never forget. An epitaph, by definition, is a brief phrase or sentence expressing a sentiment, often inscribed on a tombstone. Epitaph Day is a symbolic event dedicated to the contemplation and creation of our desired epitaphs. It is a gentle and meaningful reminder of the impermanent nature of life and the importance of having a plan for the future.

Four Things Your Spouse Should Know Before You Die

Posted by Jason Johnson | Sep 13, 2023 | 0 Comments

It is normal for married couples to share almost every aspect of their lives with each other. But when it comes to death, even the closest couples might become tight-lipped about certain topics. According to one study, half of all couples fail to discuss their dying wishes. Here are four things you and your spouse should discuss before death.

Investment and Distribution Trustees: Why Would I Need Both?

Posted by Jason Johnson | Jul 19, 2023 | 0 Comments

When creating a trust, it is common to name yourself as the initial trustee who is responsible for all aspects of administering the trust. However, when considering who will take over when you can no longer act (either because of illness or death), it is sometimes helpful to divide the responsibilities between two or more successor trustees. For example, you may decide to have one trustee who manages the accounts and property held by the trust and another trustee who makes decisions about distributions to the trust’s beneficiaries. There are some important reasons why you may want your trust document to bifurcate the trustees’ duties in this way.

Important Probate Rules You Should Know

Posted by Jason Johnson | Jul 05, 2023 | 0 Comments

When a person dies, what happens next depends on whether the deceased person had any foundational estate planning documents such as a last will and testament (otherwise known as a will) or trust, who the living relatives are, and their relationship to the person who died. If the deceased person d...

Vacation Ready: Essential Legal Preparations for a Worry-Free Getaway

Posted by Jason Johnson | Jun 28, 2023 | 0 Comments

Vacations are a time to relax, unwind, and create beautiful memories with your loved ones. But before you set off on your adventure, it's essential to ensure that your legal affairs are in order so you can fully relax during your travels.  Can’t imagine doing one more thing before you take some much-needed time away?  Don’t worry, I'm here to guide you through these important tasks, so you can enjoy your vacation worry-free. Plus, these steps only take a little time to complete and can provide you with peace of mind knowing that you have made proper arrangements if the unexpected happens to you or your family while you’re away.

Trusts & Taxes: What You Need To Know

Posted by Jason Johnson | Jun 22, 2023 | 0 Comments

People often come to us curious — or confused — about the role trusts play in saving on taxes. Given how frequently this issue comes up, here we’re going to explain the tax implications associated with different types of trusts in order to clarify this issue.

Why DIY Estate Planning Is A Bad Idea For The People You Love

Posted by Jason Johnson | Jun 15, 2023 | 0 Comments

America is a nation of do-it-yourselfers, but building a deck and creating a legally valid estate plan are two entirely different things — and a less-than-perfect deck won’t devastate your family’s financial future or the relationships among the people you care about most. The prevalence of online legal services has led many people to believe that they can create legal documents cheaply and those documents will be just as effective as if they had visited an estate planning attorney. Let's look at why that is wrong.

How To Correctly Name Beneficiaries For Your IRAs

Posted by Jason Johnson | Jun 01, 2023 | 0 Comments

You could be unintentionally reducing your family's wealth potential if you do not properly designate the beneficiaries of your IRAs. Improper estate planning could mean that your IRA assets could pass to the wrong people or entities, so how you execute your beneficiary designations is critically...

Want to Grow Wealth? Warren Buffet's Unexpected Investment Advice

Posted by Jason Johnson | May 25, 2023 | 0 Comments

If you are going to take investment and estate planning advice from anyone, Warren Buffett is likely one you want to consider. At this year’s Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting, Buffett shared several pieces of financial advice but also provided insights on the importance of personal growth and estate planning when seeking to grow wealth. While many of us may feel overwhelmed by the thought of estate planning or building our wealth, Buffett's advice reminds us of two key but simple steps we can take to create financial and generational wealth.

Create a Stronger Blended Family Through Estate Planning

Posted by Jason Johnson | May 18, 2023 | 0 Comments

If you have a blended family, estate planning is critical if you want your loved ones to avoid court and conflict in the event you die or become incapacitated. But planning for your blended family is also a great opportunity to strengthen your family bond through open conversations about your wishes and goals for your family and the love you have for them. Read more here.

Why “Just a Will” Is Never Enough

Posted by Jason Johnson | May 10, 2023 | 0 Comments

When you think of estate planning, a Will is usually the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, most people who contact me tell me they don’t need anything complicated for their estate- just a Will. But although they are a key part of your estate plan, relying on only a Will leaves huge gaps in your estate and actually guarantees that your family will need to go to court when you die.

Stephen “tWitch” Boss Dies Without a Will

Posted by Jason Johnson | May 02, 2023 | 0 Comments

Stephen Laurel Boss, also known as “tWitch,” was an American DJ, hip-hop dancer, choreographer, television producer, and actor whose personality lit up the stage on So You Think You Can Dance and as a producer and frequent guest host on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Boss also co-hosted the TV show Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings alongside his wife and fellow dancer, Allison Holkers. Boss died without a Will or Trust in place, meaning his wife, Allison Holker, has the task of petitioning the California court system to release Boss’ share of their assets to her.

Estate Planning Before You Travel: Why It's Critically Important

Posted by Jason Johnson | Apr 18, 2023 | 0 Comments

Vacations can be the perfect opportunity to relax, disconnect from work and responsibilities, and enjoy your spouse, partner, kids’, or friend’s company. But before you head off on your next getaway, there’s something else you should consider doing that might not sound quite as fun—creating an estate plan. While it may not sound like the most thrilling way to spend a day, here are some reasons why you need to think about your estate plans before you travel.

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