Mamma Mia!: Common Estate Planning Issues for Blended Families
Episode 21 | Where There's A Will, There's A Way
An Executor’s Guide to Administering an Estate
Interview with Lisa Grayson - Digital Planning Podcast
Inheritance Data - Digital Planning Podcast
In In re Est. of Edward Long, the primary legal issue concerned the interpretation of a will, specifically whether the residuary clause—which bequeathed the residue of the estate to certain trusts for the decedent’s...more
In baseball, teams play just one team at a time and in one location. That is not always the case for their owners. The ongoing saga of the Seidler Family — owners of the San Diego Padres — being duked out in both Travis...more
Arizona’s recent creation of a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) law has transformed opportunities for student-athletes. For the first time, state universities can directly compensate athletes for the use of their NIL and...more
Every August, National Make-A-Will Month serves as a reminder of something most people would like to avoid. Planning for the end of life. Creating a will isn’t about dwelling on death. It is about taking control, protecting...more
What is an irrevocable trust? It is important to know when to use an irrevocable trust as part of your estate plan. What is the difference between an irrevocable trust and a revocable trust?...more
What are the essential elements of estate planning for a blended family here in San Diego or across California? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 1 in 5 households in the United States involves a subsequent...more
Executors play a crucial role in managing and distributing an estate according to the wishes outlined in a will. But what happens when an executor steps outside their duties or abuses their power?...more
What you need to know before appointing an executor under your Will - Appointing the right executor is one of the most important decisions when preparing a Will. Executors play a central role in the administration of an...more
Let’s face it—no one wants to think about what happens when an employee dies. It’s a deeply human moment, and yet, somewhere between the condolences and the memorial service, someone in Human Resources is quietly asking: “So…...more
On August 11, 2025, the United States Supreme Court was asked to reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision that federally guaranteed marriage equality for all couples. This new case involves the four-times married...more
Whilst many individuals (collectively, the “Individuals”, each an “Individual”) are aware of the importance of succession planning to preserve continuity and stability in the transfer of assets upon death, such planning is...more
The UAE has established a comprehensive system of laws and registries for the draft and execution of Wills. This has been done for the benefit of the large expatriate community in the UAE who own movable and immovable assets...more
Joint bank accounts are often viewed as a convenient way to manage finances or pass assets seamlessly upon death. However, in Pennsylvania estate disputes, joint accounts can become a major source of conflict among heirs and...more
August is National Make-A-Will Month, a timely reminder for individuals and families to prioritize one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of long-term planning: creating a Last Will and Testament. While...more
For musicians, estate planning is not just about deciding who inherits guitar collections or song royalties. It is about protecting your artistic legacy, ensuring your intellectual property is handled according to your...more
Executors and administrators of estates in Virginia must swear an oath before the probate clerk that they will “faithfully perform the duties of [their] office to the best of [their] judgment.” These duties are called...more
Undue influence is one of the most common—and challenging—grounds for contesting a will or estate plan in Pennsylvania. It refers to situations where someone exerts excessive pressure or manipulation on a testator (the person...more
In Arizona a party can collect assets in a small estate without having to open a probate through a form commonly known as a “small estate affidavit.” The purpose of Arizona’s small estate affidavit is to provide a simplified,...more
What Snowbirds Need to Know About the Substantive Differences Between New Jersey and Florida in Probate Administration, Homestead Protections, and Spousal Rights...more
Speaking about death can be difficult but planning ahead brings peace of mind and protects loved ones from unnecessary stress. Having a professionally drafted will ensures your wishes are followed and your estate is handled...more
In Richey v. Brouse, the settlor created a special needs trust for her son, who had a mental disability and a seizure disorder that required day-to-day care. No. 03-23-00544-CV, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 8842 (Tex. App.—Austin...more
August 2025 Interest Rates for GRATs, Sales to Defective Grantor Trusts, Intra-Family Loans and Split-Interest Charitable Trusts - The August Section 7520 rate for use in estate planning techniques such as CRTs, CLTs,...more
What happens to U.S. Savings Bonds with the death of the bondholder? The answer depends on who owns the savings bond and whether others are also listed as owners or beneficiaries....more
When someone passes away without a valid will, they are said to have died intestate. In Pennsylvania, dying intestate can create confusion and disputes among surviving family members over how the estate should be distributed....more
After the loss of a loved one, families often face difficult questions—especially when the terms of a will are unexpected or the person named as executor is unfit. In these situations, it’s important to know that you do have...more