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When someone creates a will, one of the most important decisions they make is choosing the executor - the person legally responsible for carrying out the instructions in the will after they pass away. Many people pick an executor quickly, almost as an afterthought, without fully understanding what the role involves. But serving as an executor isn’t just a formality or a title. It’s a serious job, with legal responsibilities, deadlines, paperwork, and emotional complexity. Choosing the wrong person can cause delays, family conflict, and even financial consequences. Choosing the right person can make all the difference in how smoothly your estate is handled. What Does an Executor Actually Do? Think of an executor as the “project manager” of your estate. Their responsibilities include: Locating the will and filing it with the court Opening a probate case Notifying banks, government agencies, and creditors Gathering and valuing assets Paying final bills, debts, and taxes Managing real estate (sometimes selling it) Handling paperwork and deadlines Distributing assets to the beneficiaries Keeping detailed records and reporting to the court This process can take months—sometimes more than a year, depending on the complexity of the estate. Why the Right Executor Matters An executor must juggle financial, legal, and emotional responsibilities, often while grieving the loss of a loved one. That’s why the qualities of the executor matter far more than titles, birth order, or family roles. You want someone who is: 1. Organized and Responsible There are deadlines, forms, and strict court rules. An executor who procrastinates or loses paperwork can create real problems. 2. Financially Savvy They don’t need to be an accountant, but they should be comfortable with numbers, bills, and taxes. 3. Fair and Level-Headed Family emotions run high after a death. You want someone who can stay neutral, communicate clearly, and avoid inflaming conflicts. 4. Trustworthy This person will have access to your assets. Integrity is non-negotiable. 5. Willing and Able This role takes time. Someone who is overwhelmed, overextended, or unreliable is not a good choice - even if you love them dearly. Who Should You Choose? Many people automatically pick their oldest child or closest relative. But those may not be the best choices. Sometimes a younger sibling, a close friend, or even a professional (like an attorney) is better suited. What matters most is not family hierarchy; it’s finding someone who can handle the responsibility with clarity, honesty, and care. We Can Help! Ready to get your own estate plan started? Start by booking a Peace of Mind Planning Session! We’ll answer your questions, go over your options and our flat fees, and decide if we want to move forward. Mention this blog, and we’ll waive the $295 session fee! Book here .

The Estate Planning Issue No One Talks About: Your Digital Life When most people think about estate planning, they picture the traditional things like your home, bank accounts, retirement plans, sentimental keepsakes, maybe even the family cabin. But there’s an entire category of your life that is often overlooked: Your digital life. In a world where almost everything we do is online, your digital presence has become one of your most valuable (and complicated) assets. And without proper planning, your loved ones might not be able to access anything when you are gone. What Counts as a “Digital Asset”? Digital assets include far more than passwords and social media. They can include: Online bank or investment accounts Cryptocurrency and digital wallets Photos and videos stored in the cloud Email accounts PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp balances Online businesses Loyalty points and airline miles Social media accounts Online subscriptions Stored documents in Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud Basically, anything that lives behind a username and password. The Legal Problem: Your Loved Ones Can’t Just Log In Here’s what surprises most people: It’s illegal for anyone—even your spouse—to use your password after you die. Federal privacy laws and terms of service agreements prohibit unauthorized access. That means your family may not be able to: Recover family photos Access important documents Shut down accounts Transfer digital currency Close or memorialize social media profiles Retrieve business information In some cases, companies like Apple and Google have denied access even when families had a court order . How Estate Planning Solves the Digital Mess A modern estate plan includes specific documents addressing digital assets, such as: 1. Digital Asset Authorization This gives your trusted person permission to access your accounts. 2. A Secure Inventory A list of accounts, devices, and instructions stored safely 3. Instructions for Each Category What to save, delete, transfer, or protect. 4. A Backup Plan Because technology and access change constantly. Why This Matters More Than Ever Your digital life tells your story. It contains your memories, your communications, your work, and in many cases, your money. Without direction, it can vanish forever - or get locked behind a wall your family can’t break through. We Can Help! Ready to get a plan that includes your digital assets? Start by booking a Peace of Mind Planning Session! We’ll answer your questions, go over your options and our flat fees, and decide if we want to move forward. Mention this blog, and we’ll waive the $295 session fee! Book here .

AI tools can generate documents quickly, but speed doesn’t replace legal insight. This post explores the risks, limitations, and considerations families should weigh before using AI for estate planning.

Estate planning for military families requires special attention to benefits, mobility, and long-term protection. This post explains key considerations and planning strategies to help service members and their families create clarity and peace of mind.

When most people hear the term estate planning , the first thing that comes to mind is a will. It seems simple enough: write down who gets what, sign it, and you’re done. Unfortunately, that assumption creates one of the biggest misunderstandings in estate planning. Here’s the truth: a will doesn’t avoid probate. In fact, it can guarantee it. What Probate Really Means Probate is the court process where a judge oversees the distribution of someone’s estate after they die. Sounds straightforward, but in reality it can be: Time-consuming: Probate can take months—or even years—to resolve. Costly: Court fees, attorney fees, and executor expenses add up quickly. Public: Probate is a public process, meaning anyone can look up details about your estate, assets, and beneficiaries. If your goal is to save your family stress, time, and money, relying on just a will won’t get you there. What Actually Keeps Families Out of Court The solution is a comprehensive estate plan that goes beyond a simple will. A well-designed plan often includes a revocable living trust, which allows your assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, as well as powers of attorney to ensure someone can manage your financial and health care decisions if you’re unable to. It also incorporates beneficiary designations to keep retirement accounts, life insurance, and certain bank accounts out of probate, along with advance directives that make your medical wishes clear and enforceable. Together, these documents provide complete coverage — protecting you while you’re alive and after you pass. Take the First Step Time to finally get your estate plan done? Start with a Peace of Mind Planning Session. We’ll walk you through your options and explain our flat fees. Book your discovery call HERE!

We all have an online life now, even if we don’t think of it that way. Your email, bank app, photo storage, and social media logins are all part of your “digital estate”. Unfortunately, most people have no plan in place for what happens to these things when they’re gone. So what does happen? Without a digital estate plan: Your family may not be able to access your accounts — even if they know your passwords. Your bills might keep charging. Important documents or memories could be lost forever. Worse, accounts could be hacked or misused, and no one would know how to stop it. It’s a mess — and it’s preventable. Here’s what you can do right now to start protecting your digital legacy: Make a list of your important accounts. Include email, banking, investment, cloud storage, social media, subscriptions, and anything with sensitive info. Decide who gets access. Choose a trusted person to take over if you can’t manage your accounts anymore. Use a password manager or secure place to store login info. Make sure someone knows how to find it when needed. Talk to your estate planning attorney. A good plan includes a digital asset provision and clear authority for your executor or agent to access your accounts. Start Planning Today Your online life matters—don’t leave it in limbo. From email to cloud storage, we’ll help you plan for your digital assets. Start by booking a Peace of Mind Planning Session. We’ll talk through your options, explain our flat fees, and if it makes sense to work together, go over next steps. Mention this blog and we’ll waive the $350 session fee. Click the link to start now! 

In July 2025, Congress raised the federal estate tax exemption to $15 million per person (or $30 million for married couples ). This means most families will not have to pay estate taxes when they pass away, as most Americans have significantly less. So, if taxes aren’t a concern, does that mean estate planning doesn’t matter anymore? Not even close. In fact, it matters more than ever —and here’s why: 1. State Taxes Still Apply Many states have their own estate or inheritance taxes, and their exemption limits are much lower. For example, New York’s exemption is currently around $6.9 million, and if your estate goes just a dollar over, you could lose the entire exemption. Even if you avoid federal taxes, your estate could still owe your state a big check. 2. Avoiding Family Disputes & Probate Estate planning is just as much about clarity, control, and peace of mind as it is taxes. Without a plan, your family could end up in court, fighting over your assets, or stuck in a years-long probate process. A thoughtful estate plan makes your wishes crystal clear and keeps your family out of conflict. 3. Protecting the People You Love Planning allows you to name guardians for your kids, protect inheritances from divorce or creditors, and ensure your healthcare and financial decisions are honored if something happens to you. It’s about protecting your legacy—not just your money. Now is the perfect time to create a plan that reflects your values, protects your family, and makes sure everything you’ve worked for is handled the right way. Take the Next Step Time to finally get your estate plan done? Start with a Peace of Mind Planning Session. We’ll walk you through your options and explain our flat fees. Mention this blog and we’ll waive the $295 session fee. Click on the link and start Here!

A beach house in Florida. A ski cabin in Colorado. A lakeside retreat in Michigan. Vacation homes are one of life’s great luxuries - a place to unwind, create memories, and escape the grind. But if you own property in more than one state, your estate plan needs to do more than simply “pass things along.” Because without the right planning, that second home could cause your family a real headache after you’re gone. The Hidden Problem with Out-of-State Property If your primary residence is in New York, but you own a vacation condo in California. If you pass away with just a will, both states may require separate probate proceedings - one in each jurisdiction. These are called ancillary probate. That means potentially two courts, two sets of lawyers, twice the time and twice the cost. What You Can Do If you want your family to avoid ancillary probate, one option is to place the property in a revocable living trust. This is the most common and flexible way to avoid probate in multiple states. The trust “owns” the home, so when you pass away, it can transfer to your beneficiaries without court involvement. A second option is to create a limited liability company (LLC). In some cases, especially if the property is rented or shared among multiple family members, placing the vacation home in an LLC can make sense for liability protection, tax planning, and smoother transitions. We Can Help We help families who own out-of-state real estate every day. Start by booking a Peace of Mind Planning Session. We’ll answer your questions, go over your options, and present our flat fees. Then, if we decide we’re a good fit to work together, we’ll discuss next steps. And if not, that’s fine too! Mention this article and we’ll waive the $275 session fee. Click on the link to start now!

Your estate includes more than you think—digital assets, memberships, even pets. Discover what’s included in our latest blog!