wills and trusts

August 10, 2026
A family holding hands as the sun sets.

Make-A-Will Month Is Here. But a Will Isn’t a Plan.

August is Make-A-Will Month, and if you've been meaning to get your affairs in order, this is your reminder. But before you assume that getting a will means your family is protected, there's something most people don't know about what a will actually does and doesn't do…
August 3, 2026
A group of friends outside at dusk.

Friends Don’t Let Friends Go Without an Estate Plan

You've heard the phrase: "Friends don't let friends drive drunk." The same logic applies to estate planning. According to Caring.com, only 24 percent of Americans have a will. For some of the people you love most, you may be the only person in their life who will ever bring this up. Here's how to do it without making it weird, and what to tell them about what real planning looks like…
July 26, 2026
A mom's hand holds a baby's hand.

Trump Accounts: What Every Parent of a Baby Born 2025–2028 Needs to Know

The federal government is depositing $1,000 into savings accounts for every baby born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028. The account is called a Trump Account, contributions opened July 4, 2026, and most families have not yet taken the step to claim it. Here is what it is, how to open one, and what it means for your family's plan…
July 19, 2026
A bride and groom's hands.

When Your Spouse Won’t Get on Board with Estate Planning: What to Do Now

You've raised it before. Your spouse keeps saying "not now." But every week that passes without a plan is a week your family's future depends on chance instead of intention. Here's what to do when you're not on the same page, and what you can start doing today…
July 12, 2026
Hands opening a wallet.

What Happens to Debt When You Die: What Families Must Know

Most families believe they will inherit their loved one’s debt. Most debt collectors count on that fear. Your debt does not automatically transfer to your heirs, but it shapes how much they receive and what the estate must pay before they get anything. Here is exactly what happens and what your family needs to know before the collectors call…
July 5, 2026
Capitol Hill lit up at night.

The New Tax Law and Your Family’s Trust: What to Know Now

The One Big Beautiful Bill raised the estate tax exemption to $15 million per person. That provision made headlines everywhere. A second one didn't: a deduction limitation buried in a Congressional footnote that tax lawyers say may create double taxation inside family trusts, including special needs trusts with as little as $400,000 in assets. Here is what families with trusts need to know right now…