Every Mother’s Day, we scramble for the perfect way to say thank you. Brunch reservations at a favorite Tex-Mex spot. A bouquet of bluebonnets. A sentimental card filled with words we mean but rarely say out loud. And while none of that is wrong (your mom probably loves all of it), there’s a different kind...Read More

Jimmy Buffett built an empire around the laid-back “Margaritaville” lifestyle, but his $275 million estate has become anything but relaxing for his family. The legendary singer’s widow and his longtime business manager are now locked in a bitter legal battle that could have been avoided with better planning and communication. In this article, you will...Read More

Your home may be your most valuable asset. If you’ve researched estate planning, you may have heard about the Lady Bird Deed and how it can help your home pass to your children without probate. Friends, online articles, and even some professionals often describe Lady Bird Deeds as simple, inexpensive, and effective. In many ways,...Read More

As Spring Break approaches and summer travel follows close behind, you are likely busy planning the perfect getaway with your children. Flights are booked, hotels reserved, and activities mapped out. But there is one important detail many parents overlook: making sure your children are cared for if something unexpected happens to you while you are...Read More

Like buying a cheap car, bargain estate planning can leave your loved ones stranded. Here is why a Life and Legacy Plan is worth the investment. I had an interesting conversation with a potential client last week. After explaining my Life & Legacy Planning® process, she said, “This all sounds great, but my friend told...Read More

What about the stuff? You open the door to your parents’ home for the first time since the funeral. Every space is filled with what they left behind. Closets stuffed with decades of clothes. Cabinets filled with china that was never used. A garage packed with tools, holiday decorations, and boxes labeled “miscellaneous.” Drawers are...Read More

National Unclaimed Property Day, observed every February 1, highlights a surprisingly common financial issue. Billions of dollars in forgotten assets are currently held by state governments, waiting to be reunited with their rightful owners. This annual observance serves an important purpose. It encourages individuals and families to reclaim money that already belongs to them and...Read More

As a LGBTQIA+ non-biological parent, you have seen meaningful progress in how families like yours are recognized, while also navigating the reality that full legal equality is still evolving. One area where unique challenges can remain is ensuring your parental rights are properly protected when you are not biologically related to your child. Marriage alone...Read More

Here’s something few lawyers talk about: most traditional estate plans do not work the way people hope they will. Yeah, you (or your parents) spent some money years ago and had a lawyer draw up a set of documents. A will. Maybe a power of attorney. That should take care of everything, right? Well, it...Read More