Irrevocable. Permanent. Forever. When it comes to decision-making, these words are anything but comforting. So, when you sit down with your estate planning attorney and they suggest creating an irrevocable trust, it’s natural to be a bit hesitant. After all,…

In one of the ancient world’s most revered literary works, Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, a tragic hero, Oedipus, returns to the city of his birth for the first time. When he arrives, he finds the city guarded by a sphinx, which…

For many people, the holidays are a particularly lonely period. But the fact is, loneliness is an all too common issue for a large number of our friends and neighbors, particularly seniors: one-third of Americans over the age of 65,…

College is an exciting time for young adults, offering them an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and gradually experience a new level of independence in a safe environment. Legally speaking, however, they’ve already transitioned into adulthood. And that new-found status…

If you’re of a certain age, you probably remember the Terri Schiavo case: in 1990, Mrs. Schiavo suddenly lost consciousness and slipped into a persistent vegetative state. She was only 26 years old and, like many other young people, did…

“A ruthless determination to take elders from their homes and make them conform to a one-size-fits-all process by which their belongings can be sold, and their family and friends shut out — until eventually they are locked away in institutions…

Advanced healthcare directives, or living wills, are a critical component of a comprehensive estate plan, providing guidance to family and caregivers regarding end-of-life medical decisions. But what happens if someone is suffering from a long-term, progressively worsening condition like dementia…

If you are getting remarried, you obviously want to celebrate, but it is also important to focus on less exciting matters like redoing your estate plan. You may have created an estate plan during your first marriage, but this time…

Family wealth and inheritance can have a significant impact on the younger generation’s options and standard of living. But, contrary to popular belief, that impact isn’t always positive. In one 25-year study of thousands of families, researchers found that about…

Traditional estate planning is primarily designed to ensure that your belongings and assets pass in an orderly manner after your death, and that they reach the people you intend. That’s an important and admirable goal, but overlooks many critical issues.…