Emily Galer

For many, an estate plan is created and never looked over again – until it’s necessary to do so. But did you know that you should really look at your estate plan as something that grows and changes with you? Think about what has happened in your life since the last time you looked over your estate plan. Maybe you bought a new home, got married, or welcomed your second child. Each of these events demonstrates exactly why keeping your plan up to date is just as important as creating a...

When we think about heirs fighting over assets, it is the big ticket items that typically come to mind, such as the family home, investments, bank accounts and the like. However, it is often items of sentimental value—a mother’s necklace, for example, or a father’s watch—that cause the most contention. This is particularly true in the case of blended families. Worse, battles over sentimental assets often lead to hard feelings that can last for years or even permanently sever relationships...

Many people believe that estate planning is only for elders. The truth is that younger folks, including millennials, can benefit from having an estate plan of their own. Millennials are generally defined as individuals born between 1981 and 1996—that is, people between the ages of 29 and 45. This is the age at which many people start families of their own. If you have a child, you should at the very least have a last will and testament. It allows you to name a guardian for your minor...