The title of trustee implies that this position should be held by someone you find trustworthy, and for good reason. Serving as a trustee of a trust carries significant responsibility and duty not just to you as the trust’s creator but also to the beneficiaries who depend on accurate, faithful administration. While being named a […]
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How a Directed Trust Can Change Everything
The idea of one-size-fits-all no longer fits a world where people expect products and services to be tailored to their individual preferences. The estate planning world, long rooted in tradition, has relied on time-tested tools such as trusts to plan for what happens to a person’s money and property. However, a nontraditional variation known as […]
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The True Cost of Inheriting a Home
The United States is in the midst of the largest generational wealth transfer in history. Over the next few decades, baby boomers are expected to pass down an estimated $84 trillion in money and property,1 around $18–19 trillion of it related to residential real estate.2 For millions of younger Americans, this means inheriting a parent’s […]
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How to Make Your Inheritance Last
Receiving an inheritance, whether large or small, often comes with a wide range of emotions, from the grief of losing a loved one to the hope and excitement about the possibilities the inheritance may create. According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress study, over half (57 percent) of Americans who expect to receive an […]
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What to Do After a Loved One Dies
If you have been named the person responsible for settling a deceased loved one’s affairs, commonly called an executor or personal representative (if your loved one had no estate plan or had a will) or a successor trustee (if they had a trust), you may find yourself overwhelmed by grief and a growing list of […]
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Estate Planning Truths: Debunking Common Misconceptions
Estate planning often feels complex, leading many people to rely on assumptions that can have devastating consequences for their loved ones and their legacy. From who can make decisions for you to whether you need an estate plan, common myths can stand between you and a secure future. Let’s debunk these widespread misconceptions and reveal […]
Continue reading…Plan Smart, Live More: Test Your Estate Planning IQ!
The correct answer is “c.” For 2025, the federal exemption is $13.99 million. This amount, also known as the federal lifetime estate and gift tax exemption, applies to both gifts made during a person’s life and accounts and property transferred at death. The exemption is set by federal statute and adjusted annually for inflation. However, […]
Continue reading…Your Family Is Not One-Size-Fits-All; Your Estate Plan Shouldn’t Be, Either
What comes to mind when you think of the typical American family? Today’s families take many different forms: Some are blended through divorce and remarriage while others are built through long-term partnerships, adoption, or fostering. Families may include same-sex or opposite-sex couples; married or unmarried partners; or children from different relationships or no children. Many […]
Continue reading…Have You or Your Loved Ones Used These Excuses to Avoid Estate Planning?
We all have those nagging to-do items that never seem to make it to the top of our list, even though we know how important they are. Maybe it is scheduling a checkup with the doctor, calling the HVAC company to inspect that noisy furnace, or starting the fitness routine you keep promising yourself you […]
Continue reading…The Advisor’s Estate Planning Challenge: Test Your Knowledge!
The correct answer is “c.” For 2025, the federal exemption is $13.99 million. This amount, also known as the federal lifetime estate and gift tax exemption, applies to gifts made during a person’s life and assets transferred at death. The exemption is set by federal statute and adjusted annually for inflation. However, any assets left […]
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