A contingent trust is an important estate planning tool that acts as a safety net within your revocable living trust. It only activates if certain conditions arise—such as a beneficiary being too young, unprepared, or having special needs—ensuring that your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes, no matter what the future holds. This structure provides flexibility, protection, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Naming a trust as the beneficiary of your IRA or 401(k) might seem like a smart way to manage your estate, but it can create unexpected tax headaches and extra complications for your heirs. Learn when involving your trust in your retirement account planning makes sense and when it doesn’t.

Not all assets are controlled by your Will. This guide breaks down the difference between probate and non-probate assets, walks you through a practical self-assessment, and explains what to do if gaps in your estate plan exist.

Discover why providing handwritten instructions for your Health Care POA and Advance Directive at your signing appointment are crucial for legal protection and authenticity. Handwriting proves intent, is nearly impossible to forge, and offers stronger evidence in court or family disputes than typed text. Ensure your documents stand up to challenges—choose handwritten proof for your peace of mind.

The good news: North Carolina law automatically keeps your home out of probate. The not-so-good news: the process can still be complex for your heirs. Discover how real property is handled outside probate in NC, the misconceptions that often trip up families, and what you can do to protect your heirs from unexpected challenges.

Many people don’t know these five important facts about IRA beneficiaries. Learn how beneficiary designations work, the key rules that affect distributions, and some common tax considerations. The information you learn here may cause you to consider changing your IRA beneficiary designations.

When it comes to planning for the future, one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your loved ones is a clear set of last instructions. These instructions can provide guidance and peace of mind during an emotionally challenging time. A Letter of Last Instruction is a document that provides additional information and instructions to your loved ones and designated decision makers to be read and used in the time leading up to and after your death. Beyond sharing logistics and practicalities, writing a LOLI is an opportunity to share your thoughts and wishes, honoring your life and the impact you've made on those around you. Keep reading to learn about the types of information to include in your LOLI as well as a sample letter to help you get started.

What are the rights of a surviving spouse in a probate/estate proceeding? If your spouse dies and leaves you nothing in their Will, do you have any rights? What if they didn’t have a Will? What if you’ve been living separately for years, but aren’t legally separated (requires a separation agreement) or divorced (requires a court order of final divorce)?‍ ‍Presuming the Deceased Spouse (DS) died with a Will* in place, the Surviving Spouse (SS) may be eligible to receive more than DS’s Will provides using the Year’s Allowance (YA) and Elective Share (ES) court processes. The following is a brief, general summary of each for informational purposes only.

When clients ask me how to avoid probate, I always point out that entirely avoiding probate is often impossible due to a few things (mostly refunds of bills and taxes requiring advance payment) that you cannot control before death. The better question is how to minimize probate, as that is something within your control. Minimizing probate is possible by creating a Revocable Living Trust and/or by maximizing strategies that keep assets out of probate. This blog post details some of the most common ways to minimize probate.

529s are essential parts of many people's plans for future education costs. Taking steps now to secure your 529 in the event of your or your beneficiary's death is a necessary, but often overlooked, part of estate planning.

Creating an estate plan is a huge accomplishment. Beyond that, there are additional proactive steps that can ease the burden on your Executor and loved ones after your death. This blog post outlines key actions you can take today to minimize stress, ensure your wishes are honored, and help your Executor and loved ones remember you fondly, instead of with frustration.

When considering nominating Co-Guardians for minor children, several important factors must be considered. This blog post reviews the legal process involved and issues unique to Co-Guardian nominations. This guidance is essential for anyone looking to make informed choices regarding child Guardianship nominations.

Your First Dos and Don'ts When a Loved One Dies

It can be overwhelming to know what steps to take when a loved one dies. During this deeply emotional time, the fear of making mistakes can add to the stress. Here are some Dos, Don'ts, and FAQs to guide you through this challenging period. Navigating the aftermath of a loved one's passing is never easy, but following these guidelines can help ensure that you honor their wishes and handle their affairs responsibly.

Common: having debt at death.

Uncommon: knowing what happens to it & who pays.

Here are four essential takeaways about debt at death.

QUESTION: When should I rewrite my will?

ANSWER: It depends on what has changed in your life since it was first written. Keep reading to find out some of the most common times when revision is either a good idea or even necessary.

A safe deposit box (aka safety deposit box) is a great place to store valuable and/or important things, right? Well, it depends (and yeah, it's totally fine to insert a groan here for this classic lawyer non-response).

Want to ensure your loved ones have easy access to your digital accounts after you die? Keep reading to learn how.

Can estate plan documents be updated? How do I change my Will? Can I name a different Durable General Power of Attorney?

Do you need a Revocable Living Trust? Or is a Will enough? How can you know? What are the differences between Trusts and Wills?