Blog Posts in 2016

A client recently asked me for advice on how to write an obituary. Having no idea, I consulted my father-in-law, Dave Callahan, who spent most of his ...

I have noticed a consistent misunderstanding amongst clients and potential clients that should be addressed. Too often I hear people exclaim that ...

Now that summer is winding down, we can reflect on the year’s events and look forward to finishing it out with happiness and success. With that said, ...

Please take a moment to read this article from Forbes.com describing the four most common estate planning mistakes. ...

Most of our clients are prudent and fortunate enough to have set aside an emergency fund. A recent study by the Federal Reserve indicated that most ...

Celebrating the bond with mom is something enjoyed on Mother’s Day. That bond is particularly important for children who have mothers with ...

Over the last few weeks we have seen the drama unfolding with the tragic death of Prince. Prince resided and passed away in Minnesota and with no ...

What can you learn from Prince's estate? That you need to plan for your own affairs. Read the two below articles, one discusses Prince's estate in ...

Alzheimer’s effects millions of people, not just those dealing with the disease, but also their family members. This article looks at the effect that ...

Please take a moment to read this article. It examines the startling difference between end of life decisions doctors make for themselves, versus the ...

Do I have enough savings to last my lifetime? We get these questions from clients all the time. The short answer I give is to talk to your financial ...

The following article discusses some of the many reasons you should not write your own testamentary plan. Even with services like LegalZoom, every ...

Many people foolishly believe one estate plan, without subsequent reviews and edits, is sufficient for their needs. In many instances this results in ...

An IRA is often one of the largest assets in an inheritance. It has tax benefits and passes quickly after death to the beneficiaries. This article ...

The duties of an executor of an estate are equivalent to a full-time job. Unfortunately, this is not an easy process where beneficiaries can receive ...

The recent and unexpected death of conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has put significant pressure on Congress and thrown quite a curve ...

Clients often ask me about Donor Advised Funds. Donor Advised Funds are a great alternative to family foundations and charitable trusts for those who ...

The attached article talks about a business man and Holocaust survivor, at his passing his estate was worth almost $40 million. This individual had no ...

JGB is a Trust & Estates law firm; we do not sell any insurance. Sometimes our clients do not understand we recommend they get life insurance or ...

Estate Planning is not just for the super wealthy. We all need to have the tools in place to ensure that our wishes are met. Read the attached article ...

For those approaching retirement, a common New Year’s resolution is to knuckle down and finally learn how their Social Security will work. A recent ...

It is important for all adults to have at least a basic estate plan, regardless of age. The basic estate planning essentials for all persons over the ...