Sometimes, pet owners can get a bit creative when providing for their pets’ future care. The following three famous cases involving pet trusts offer some important lessons. David Harper and Red David Harper, a wealthy, reclusive bachelor in Ottawa, Canada, was not exactly famous during his life. In his death, however, he made headlines by […]
Continue reading…3 Famous Pet Trust Cases and the Lessons We Can Learn from Them
Not long ago, pet trusts were thought of as little more than eccentric things that famous people did for their pets when they had too much money. These days, pet trusts are considered much more mainstream. For example, in 2016, Minnesota became the fiftieth state to legally recognize pet trusts. But, unbeknownst to many pet […]
Continue reading…A Trust for Fluffy or Fido?
Why Every Pet Parent Needs to Consider a Pet Trust Today Estate planning is about protecting what is important to you. Although much of the traditional estate planning conversation focuses on surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, and charities, many pet parents wonder what could happen to their “furry children” after their death. Enter the pet trust. […]
Continue reading…Why Snow White’s Father Should Have Had an Estate Plan
Many of us are familiar with the story of Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Central to the story is the relationship between Snow White and her stepmother. After losing his wife, the king decided to marry again to provide a motherly influence for his daughter, Snow White. While things were peaceful for a while, […]
Continue reading…To the Millennials: The Time to Plan Is Now
As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and addresses the things […]
Continue reading…Estate Planning Is About Knowing Your Priorities
Thinking about the world and how our loved ones will fare after we pass away can be very difficult. Although we all know that we will pass away at some point, this is not something most people like to dwell on. However, by proactively planning and prioritizing your goals, you can craft an estate plan […]
Continue reading…Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Go Up in Smoke
Fewer people are creating estate plans today than in years past. Research shows that, in 2024, less than one-third of Americans report having a will.1 Every adult—whether they are 19 or 99—should have a will at a minimum. Many people can also benefit from estate planning documents such as trusts, powers of attorney, and advance […]
Continue reading…Could a Will Be Right For You?
The term last will dates back more than a millennium to English common law, in which a person expressed what they “willed” to have happen to their property. The use of what we now know as a will dates back even further, to ancient Romans, who, under the Code of Justinian, recognized documents that transferred […]
Continue reading…Debunking Common Misconceptions About Wills
The majority of Americans do not have a will, and the number of US households with a will has been in steady decline.1 At the outset, it is important to dispel a recurring myth about estate planning: It is not just for the wealthy—or older adults, married couples, or any other single category of individual. […]
Continue reading…Are You Ready to Celebrate National Make-a-Will Month? Empower Yourself with Peace of Mind This Month
Which Will Would You Choose? If you or your loved ones have not yet created a will, you are not alone. In fact, according to a recent survey, not having created a will puts you among the majority of Americans. Like many Americans, you may wait for a major life event to occur before putting […]
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