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Often Adult Children of aging parents walk into my conference room concerned  about their parents' finances and health care expenses, long-term care needs, mental capacity, and a lack of financial resources. Adult children want solutions. Sometimes it's a concerned spouse who needs answers. Every...

Typically, you may think that estate planning only covers real estate, financial accounts, and personal property.  However, there is another group of assets to consider: Intellectual Property.   Today, let's look at your estate plan and copyrights. What is Intellectual Property? What is Intellect...

Perhaps you watch commercials about easy and cheap forms to help you write a last will and testament? Perhaps you consider buying a form you complete as a DIY estate plan.  TrustandWill and Legalzoom, to name a few, offer quick, cheap fixes. That old adage, “You get what you pay for,” is a good o...

How is a trademark connected to one's personal estate planning?  Why is estate planning important if you own a trademark? If you are a small business owner, you protect your building with commercial insurance. You write a business plan, you put your time and energy in your business to become succ...

Typically, you may think that estate planning only covers real estate, financial accounts, and personal property.  However, there is another group of assets to consider: Intellectual Property.   Let's look at the definition of intellectual property and its connection to estate planning. What is I...

With the COVID-19 Pandemic, people turned to Do It Yourself (DIY) Last Will and Testament Forms. Too often people assume that a Last Will and Testament is a document to download from the Internet and fill in the blanks.  Writing your own Will often leads to misinterpretations and problems. A last...

Your Last Will and Testament is a basic part of your estate plan that tells the Court how you want your property to be given and who should receive your assets after your death. To do the job, it needs to be a valid legal document.  Too often, people try to write a Last Will and Testament themsel...

Do you and your spouse own a small business together? Perhaps, you and your spouse invest in rental properties or even own a family farm. What is the connection between being a family, a business owner, and estate planning? As a family and business owner what type of estate planning should you co...

Do It Yourself (DIY) projects exist in many different areas such as landscaping, bathroom remodeling, and even pouring a patio. Consumers browse through websites and links watching instructional videos and reading how-to manuals.  People read and try to find answers to complex questions.  If a mi...

Dust off the cobwebs of the COVID19 year. It's time to get back into the game of business or even step up for a new mile marker of achievement. However, it's not just time to take care of business. It's time to take care of your estate plan. What is the connection between your business and your e...

Two scenarios for electronic monitoring Seniors and Elderly parents exist.  One happens when children place hidden cameras in their parents' own home. Often adult children view cameras as an electronic babysitter in the home. The camera is used as a safety measure or even to prevent elder abuse. ...

Seniors Beware the Scammer.  Many good and caring people live in the world. In times of disasters, and the Pandemic, we saw strangers with big hearts, helping out and going the extra mile for others. We celebrate folks who volunteer their time to help others in need, especially during disasters. ...

We started hearing about gray divorces from the lives of politicians and celebrities.  Divorces for people is trending. Your estate plan must change if you divorce or newly widowed. Your Estate Ally will guide you through this difficult time to peace of mind in your estate planning.

This article focuses on advanced estate planning and asset protection for affluent families. Over 65 types of trusts exist in estate planning. Each trust serves a different need or purpose.  One type of estate   plan may fit for one individual or family; yet may not be the best solution  for anot...

People often ask the question, “What is Elder Law?” Before diving into the areas of elder law, I have to say that the state of Missouri does not recognize specializations. However, does this mean that a client should not research the attorney who focuses on this practice area of law? Absolutely n...

There are the What Ifs to consider for estate planning.  What if I have children and die? What if someone wants grandma's wedding ring when I die? What if I have incapacity? The What Ifs exist but aren't always pleasant to think about. Still, it is the what ifs that make it important to put an es...

What is a Third-Party Special Needs Trust (SNT)? A Third-Party SNT is an estate planning tool that helps provide a quality of life. Often family members desire a way to provide for a child with a disability.  Parents with  child who has a disability should consider taking an extra step in estate ...

 There are times when people seek legal   counsel for what they perceive is the easiest   or cheapest form of estate planning.  I   receive calls from older parents who  consider just adding  children to bank accounts. Myths about Last Wills and Testaments and estate planning exists and needs add...

What happens if a person with special needs is injured? What happens when that person receives a settlement and is on government benefits? When should a person consider a First-Party Special Needs Trust? Estate Planning is important when a loved one relies on access to state services or governmen...

Seniors Need An Estate Plan Why do Seniors need an estate plan? Seniors require extra elder care in estate planning. Seniors lacking appropriate estate planning hinders the spouse and family's inability to provide necessary support and to navigate major changes in life.Recently a family scrambled...

Co-Parenting Holiday Success Divorced parents need a visitation co-parenting schedule for holiday success. One of the best ways to avoid conflict during the holiday season is to have a well thought out holiday schedule in place. It is not uncommon to see parents alternate the years that they will...

In November, we honor the men and women who serve or served in our Armed Forces. Men and Women serving in our military make daily sacrifices to protect and defend freedoms we often take for granted.  As a daughter of a veteran who grew up around the military, I give back to our veterans.  This bl...

October is Awareness  about Violence Against Women (VAW).  The toll of “fight or flight” and staying in survival mode is not a lifestyle choice but one victims endure usually at the hands of a trusted Partner.  It is a difficult  situation and often causes permanent physical and psychological sca...

Happy Woman with an ILIT ILIT-Advanced Estate Planning In today's blog post, I will take a closer look at one of the more “advanced” estate planning tools: the Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). Trusts are financial instruments which allow a person to organize his or her assets and propert...

Photo of young adults by Daniel Nieto With the reopening of colleges and living on or off campus, any entering freshman and college young adult needs to ask, “What happens if I have COVID-19 at College?” Perhaps young adults doubt their vulnerability to the virus. Still, real-life stories exist a...