Six Things You Must Know About Revocable Trusts

2020-12-17T13:46:16-06:00February 25th, 2020|

To the average person, legal terms sound foreign. Intimidating. We get that. Don’t let legal jargon stop you from establishing a revocable trust. The benefits are too great to ignore. Steve, one of our younger clients, found out the hard way. His father passed unexpectedly, several years before retirement. With no trust in place, the [...]

Are Holographic Wills Valid in Missouri?

2019-02-22T22:22:23-06:00January 31st, 2019|

A new client, Allen, recently asked about holographic wills. Having come from a state where they are commonly accepted, he wondered whether his simple, handwritten document would be valid here in Missouri. He then asked whether they are advisable. The answer is a little complicated. Holographic wills are valid in Missouri, but only when they [...]

TOD – How Does Transfer on Death Fit in Estate Planning?

2020-12-18T16:21:24-06:00October 17th, 2018|

Charles is an Army veteran and recent client. He came to us for help because he wanted to maximize his Veteran’s benefits. He asked the common question, “What is TOD, and should I use it in my estate plan?” Specifically, he wanted to know more about Transfer on Death as a means of avoiding probate. [...]

Remove the Mystery with a Letter of Instructions

2020-12-18T16:27:45-06:00April 23rd, 2018|

Will your family know what to do after you pass, or will it be a mystery? Don’t leave them with the frustration of being in the dark. When a loved one dies, no one wants to play hide and seek for critical documents and key information. Instead, leave a letter of instructions. Betty was recently [...]

Is Your Financial Advisor Asking for a Power of Attorney?

2020-12-18T16:28:46-06:00February 27th, 2018|

Tom and Alice are a young couple who recently completed their estate planning documents with us. Alice reached out to our office, asking about a call they recently got from their financial advisor. The advisor was requesting that Tom and Alice each provide a Power of Attorney for his file. Alice wanted to know if [...]

Addressing Your Disabled Loved One’s Legal Needs

2020-03-19T20:29:43-05:00January 1st, 2016|

According to the Center for Persons with Disabilities, greater than one in five Americans is disabled. And while we often hear about programs to assist the disabled, little is said about addressing their legal needs. Special Needs Planning is the solution. What is Special Needs Planning? Special Needs Planning helps families address the legal needs of a [...]

“Mom, What Does Irrevocable Mean?”

2020-03-19T20:21:18-05:00December 1st, 2015|

Kids sometimes ask the strangest things, especially after watching TV ads. Eight year old Sally was watching TV one lazy Sunday morning when an interview aired between a local estate planning attorney and a news reporter. The topic was the irrevocable trust, a term Sally had never heard before. So she asked the smartest person [...]

What Happens to Your Family When You Die

2020-03-19T20:12:05-05:00November 2nd, 2015|

When Sam suddenly passed, his family found themselves with a real mess on their hands. Well liked by friends and associates, Sam was known to be the life of every party. But he was never keen on planning ahead. Because he'd never completed an estate plan, his family was forced to spend an inordinate amount [...]

Eric Knew His Dad Shouldn’t Be Driving…

2020-12-18T16:24:58-06:00October 6th, 2015|

It was late when the phone rang, but Eric knew from the tone of his father’s voice that the news was not good. “What is it, Dad?” Eric asked, afraid to hear the answer. “Eric, I’ve had a car accident. I’m fine, but there is some damage.” “Dad! That’s your 3rd accident in two months!” [...]

Buying a Home and Losing Sleep?

2020-03-19T19:41:14-05:00September 1st, 2015|

Phil and his wife Marie began married life like many couples do – in a small apartment fit for two. As the years went by, the young couple’s dreams grew with their incomes. On their 5-year wedding anniversary, Phil broached the subject of buying their first home. Marie’s initial reaction was excitement. Sure, having more [...]

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