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How to Help Your Loved Ones (and Assets) Avoid Probate

Today, many people are using a revocable living trust instead of a will or joint ownership as the foundation of their estate plan. When properly prepared, a living trust avoids the public, costly and time-consuming court processes of conservatorship or guardianship (due to incapacity) Continue reading

5 Reasons You and Your Business Partner/ Best Friend Forever (BFF) Need an Operating Agreement

You and your BFF have an understanding. You think alike and you’ve decided to go into business together. Everything is informal because you and your BFF do not stand on ceremony.  There’s no operating agreement, no bylaws, or buy/sell agreement. You’re just two guys who like to work Continue reading

Can a Non-U.S. Citizen Create an Estate Plan in the U.S.?


The United States has experienced a surge in immigration since 1970, and there are now approximately 45 million foreign-born people living in the United States. Some of them have become U.S. citizens, but many non-citizens live in the United States as well. In 2019 alone, approximately Continue reading

Surprise! You Can’t Easily Disinherit Your Spouse in the U.S.

Believe it or not, in the U.S. it is not easy to disinherit your spouse. But the same is not true for other family members – generally, you can use your estate plan to disinherit your brothers and sisters, your nieces and nephews, or even your very own children and grandchildren.

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When Should You Use a Stay Bonus Agreement?

Hands dropping coins

Do you have certain key employees who help make your family business a success? Keeping those employees may be essential to a successful transition of ownership and management to your children or another new owner when you retire or pass away. A “stay bonus” (also Continue reading

Kids Going Away To College? Why You Should Include Estate Planning in the Preparation

You may have been running around for weeks, getting your new college student off to school. It’s exhilarating, and your heart likely is bursting at the seams. You’re probably prouder than words can express, but you’re also a little afraid, too. How can you make sure your kid is going Continue reading

SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS: YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

“What are Special Needs Trusts (SNT)?”

Firstly, a trust is created when property (real estate, finances, tangible items) is managed by a person for another person’s benefit. The person managing the property is called the “trustee.” The person whose benefit it is for is called the Continue reading