Executive Summary: Naming a trust as the beneficiary of an IRA can help coordinate retirement accounts with an overall estate plan. Federal tax law under the SECURE Act requires most non-spouse beneficiaries to withdraw inherited IRA funds within 10 years, and this rule generally applies whether assets pass directly or through a qualified “look-through” trust. Many families use trusts primarily for asset protection Read More

Executive Summary: When a loved one can no longer return home after a health crisis, families are often pushed toward bad decisions like giving away the house or spending down every asset. But giving up ownership usually causes more harm than good. Legal planning that keeps assets in your control while preparing for Medicaid and long-term care can preserve both financial stability and peace of mind. It usually Read More

Executive Summary: Elder law focuses on preparing for long‑term care while protecting assets and preserving control. The most effective plans keep ownership, rely on the type of asset, not fear, and provide access through proper authorization rather than transfers. Clear planning reduces confusion, avoids penalties, and brings peace of mind when health changes unexpectedly. Most people don’t wake up one day Read More

Executive Summary: Pets are family, and your estate plan can reflect that. Through a properly structured revocable living trust, you can set aside money to ensure your pet is cared for if you pass away first. Georgia law allows for pet trusts, and they’re not as complicated as they sound. They provide peace of mind, flexibility, and a way to show love for the companions who’ve always been there for you. If you’ve Read More

Executive Summary: Blended families face unique estate planning risks. A will alone won’t prevent assets from being misdirected or your children from being left out. Proper use of trusts, correct titling, and a focus on legal principles, not just documents, are essential. Protect your assets, your relationships, and your intentions with a thoughtful plan that works even after you’re gone. Blended families are Read More

Executive Summary: Access is only granted with authorization, and it must be done before you're unable to provide it. Don't rely on your relationship alone or advice from your bank. A will is not enough. To truly protect yourself and your family, make sure you have up-to-date powers of attorney, health care directives, and a trust where needed. These tools allow others to help without putting your assets at risk or Read More

Executive Summary: Nursing home care is one of the most expensive forms of long-term care, and the risk of needing it increases with age. But that doesn’t mean you have to lose your home or spend down everything to qualify for Medicaid. Federal and state laws allow you to keep certain assets, especially your home, if your plan is built correctly. Don’t wait for a crisis. Make sure your assets are protected without Read More

Blended families are no longer the exception; they are the norm. Whether formed through remarriage after a divorce or the loss of a spouse, blended families are now one of the most common situations we see in estate planning. That includes couples in their 70s and 80s who remarry later in life for companionship, travel, and support. Whether you’re newly remarried or your adult children are part of a blended family, Read More

Whether you’re sitting at the dinner table, in the office of a financial advisor, or just researching estate planning strategies on your own, one piece of advice seems to pop up again and again: “Don’t name your trust as the beneficiary of your IRA.” That advice is often repeated, but rarely explained in detail. Unfortunately, it causes confusion. Many financial advisors will tell their clients that doing so is a Read More

We recently received a question from a listener of our radio show. Her husband was in poor health, and she had gone to see a local attorney to ask what would happen to their home if he needed nursing home care. The attorney told her, without hesitation, that there was nothing she could do. She would just have to accept the $12,000 monthly nursing home bill and that asset protection wasn’t possible. She wasn’t so Read More