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Securing Your Legacy: Why Estate Planning Is About More Than Money
Estate planning is often misunderstood as a financial task. In reality, it’s one of the most personal and meaningful forms of planning you can do.
Your legacy isn’t just what you leave behind—it’s how your loved ones experience the transition.
Who Will Step In for You? Understanding Fiduciary Roles Before You Need Them
One of the most important estate planning questions is also one of the most uncomfortable:
Who will take over if I can’t manage my own affairs?
Too often, families don’t understand the different fiduciary roles until someone is already incapacitated—or has passed away.
Financial Preparedness Starts with Estate Planning: Are You Truly Ready?
Many people believe they are financially prepared because they pay their bills, contribute to retirement accounts, and maintain insurance. But financial preparedness isn’t complete unless you’ve planned for the moments when you may no longer be able to manage those responsibilities yourself.
Estate planning is what turns financial habits into financial protection.
January is National Financial Wellness Month, a time when many people resolve to save more, spend wisely, and plan for the future. Budgets are reviewed. Retirement accounts are checked. Financial goals are set.
But financial wellness isn’t just about what you earn or save. It’s about whether your financial life is protected when life takes an unexpected turn.
7 Financial and Legal Resolutions for the New Year
As the year comes to a close, many families reflect on their health and finances. But one area that often gets overlooked in the New Year’s resolution list is estate planning. A few simple resolutions can protect your loved ones, minimize taxes, and give you peace of mind for the year ahead.
When families think about estate planning, they usually picture wills and trusts. But one of the most common mistakes we see isn’t about those documents at all—it’s about beneficiary designations.
Beneficiaries are named on accounts like life insurance policies, retirement plans, and payable-on-death bank accounts. These designations determine where the money goes when you pass away. The problem? Beneficiary designations override your will or trust.
How to Use Gifting Strategies Before Year-End to Reduce Estate Taxes
The holidays are a season of giving. For many families, that generosity extends beyond presents under the tree. Smart financial gifting can reduce your taxable estate, provide meaningful support to loved ones, and even create opportunities for charitable impact.
Charitable Giving Through Your Estate Plan: Smart Ways to Maximize Tax Benefits
The holiday season is a time of giving—and charitable gifts can be one of the most meaningful parts of an estate plan. Beyond supporting causes you care about, charitable strategies can also reduce estate taxes, leaving more for your heirs.
As the year draws to a close, many of us reflect on what we’ve accomplished and where we want to go. But there’s one task that often gets overlooked: making sure your estate plan is up to date.
For families in Washington and Oregon, year-end is the perfect time to review your documents, update your fiduciaries and beneficiaries, and ensure your plan still matches your life. A little preparation now can save your family thousands later—and give you peace of mind heading into the new year.
When families begin estate planning, they often feel overwhelmed by the terms: trustee, executor, personal representative, attorney-in-fact, guardian, conservator. What do they all mean, and who should you choose for each role?
Understanding fiduciary roles is critical because these are the people who will carry out your wishes when you cannot. Choosing wisely can mean the difference between a smooth transition and a costly, painful family dispute.
