by Alexandra Gadzo | Dec 13, 2022 | Estate Planning
When you think about the legacy you’ll leave, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s security for your family or a positive contribution to your community. It could also be a tribute to the arts. Whatever it is, you don’t have to wait until you pass on to actualize your...
by Alexandra Gadzo | Oct 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
When selecting a successor trustee for a trust, it is common for the individual who creates the trust (the trustmaker) to choose one person to serve as a successor trustee at a time. Some attorneys routinely recommend that only a single successor trustee be appointed...
by Alexandra Gadzo | Sep 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
If you have already done your estate planning, you have taken a significant step toward ensuring that your loved ones will know how to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated or die. However, simply having a will or a trust and related estate planning...
by Alexandra Gadzo | Aug 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
An often misunderstood but common estate planning tool that can appear in estate planning documents is the power of appointment. Not to be confused with a power of attorney (the document that allows you to delegate certain powers to an agent to act on your behalf...
by Alexandra Gadzo | Jun 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
Most people are shocked to learn that their retirement accounts can be seized once they pass to their loved ones. During your lifetime, your retirement funds have fairly comprehensive asset protection, meaning they cannot be taken in a lawsuit. Unfortunately, as soon...
by Alexandra Gadzo | May 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
Just like other important life tasks, your estate plan deserves your time and attention. It’s important that you work with us to review your estate plan at least once a year. Think of this as your estate plan’s annual physical exam, and remember—prevention is the best...
by Alexandra Gadzo | Apr 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
What Is a Trust Protector? Traditionally, the three roles that must be filled when setting up a trust are the settlor (also called a grantor, trustor, or trustmaker), the trustee, and the beneficiary. All three roles are necessary to create a trust that functions...
by Alexandra Gadzo | Mar 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
Imagine the following scenario: For years, you have worked with a valued professional advisor who has become a close friend, maybe even closer than some of your family members. You know her family, attend church with her, and know her to be a model citizen who...
by Alexandra Gadzo | Feb 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
A will or trust contest can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your estate, and tear your loved ones apart. But with proper planning, you can prevent that result. What is a Will or Trust Contest? A will or trust contest is a type of lawsuit that is filed to...
by Alexandra Gadzo | Jan 1, 2022 | Estate Planning
For most people, it is perfectly natural to think about estate planning only in terms of planning for death. While planning for your death is very important, if that is all you plan for, your planning can quickly become woefully inadequate. As medical knowledge and...
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