Will Christoferson 9/2/25 Will Christoferson 9/2/25

The $1.5 Million Estate Planning Mistake You Can't Afford to Make

Picture this: You and your spouse spend decades building a successful business, accumulating assets, and creating a stable life for your family. You think you've done everything right with your estate planning. Then tragedy strikes, and a simple paperwork error costs your children $1.5 million in taxes they never should have owed.

This isn't a hypothetical scenario—it's exactly what happened to the Rowland family in Ohio. In this article, you'll discover the costly mistake that devastated this family's legacy, why it's becoming an increasingly common problem for wealthy families, and most importantly, how to make sure it never happens to yours.

When "Good Enough" Estate Planning Becomes a Family Nightmare
Billy Rowland was the kind of guy who wore a "World's Greatest Grandpa" cap and spent his life building something meaningful. Over decades, he expanded his small businesses across Ohio—trucking, used cars, real estate, banking. He served on charity boards and seemed to have his financial house in order.

When Billy's wife Fay died in 2016, her estate filed the required tax return to preserve her unused estate tax exclusion for Billy's future use. It seemed like routine paperwork. The return estimated her estate's value and listed various assets—real estate, business shares, the usual suspects.

But here's where things went sideways: The return didn't spell out the specific value of each individual asset. To most people, this might seem like a minor detail. After all, they provided the total estate value, right?

Wrong. That one "minor" detail cost Billy's heirs $1.5 million when he died in 2018.

The IRS ruled that because Fay's estate return was incomplete, Billy's estate couldn't use her $3.7 million unused exclusion. Without that protection, Billy's $26 million estate faced a massive tax bill that could have been avoided with proper planning.

What makes this story particularly heartbreaking is that the error wasn't discovered until it was too late to fix. The IRS didn't raise questions about Fay's return until 2021—three years after Billy died and five years after Fay's death. By then, the window for corrections had slammed shut.

Why This Problem Is About to Get Much Worse
If you think the Rowland family's situation is a rare occurrence, think again. Changes in tax law are making this type of mistake both more likely and more expensive.

Under current law, each person can pass $13.99 million to their heirs tax-free in 2025. That number jumps to $15 million per person in 2026. For married couples who plan properly, that means they can potentially shelter $30 million from estate taxes.

But here's the catch: To get that doubled protection, the first spouse to die must file a proper estate tax return, even if their estate is below the threshold that would normally require filing. Miss a detail on that return, and the surviving spouse loses access to the deceased partner's unused exclusion forever.

The stakes keep getting higher. With estate taxes at 40% (for estates that are worth a million or more above the exclusion amount), a family that loses a $15 million exclusion because of a paperwork error could face a tax bill costing millions. Not to mention, the estate’s assets may not be liquid, and will need to be sold in order to pay the tax bill. In order to generate funds, a family business, the family home, or other meaningful and valuable assets may need to be sold, destroying a lifetime of careful wealth building.

Consider this: Nearly 500,000 Americans now have a net worth of $15 million or more. Many of these families have no idea they're sitting on a potential estate planning time bomb.

Even families with smaller estates aren't safe. Your investments could grow significantly over time, you might receive an unexpected inheritance, your business could take off in ways you never imagined, or the estate tax exemption could go down, as it fluctuates with each administration. What seems like a manageable estate today could easily cross into dangerous territory tomorrow.

The Real Problem: Planning That Fails When You Need It Most
The Rowland family’s experience exposes a fundamental flaw in how most people approach estate planning. Too many people treat it as a one-time transaction—draft some documents, file them away, and assume everything will work out.

But effective estate planning isn't about having the right paperwork in a drawer somewhere. It's about creating a comprehensive system that adapts to your changing circumstances with the support of an experienced estate planning attorney in Grapevine who ensures your plan actually works when your loved ones need it most.

Think about what happens in most estate planning scenarios. A family meets with a lawyer, creates a will, a trust, or both, maybe fills out some beneficiary forms, and then considers the job done. Years pass. Laws change. Assets grow. Family situations evolve. But the estate plan sits there, frozen in time, based on circumstances that may no longer exist.

When the first spouse dies, someone (often a grieving surviving spouse or adult child) is suddenly responsible for navigating complex tax rules and filing requirements they never knew existed. They're dealing with paperwork they've never seen, making decisions about legal concepts they don't understand, all while processing grief and family changes.

Is it any wonder that critical details get missed?

The traditional approach to estate planning sets families up for exactly this kind of failure. It focuses on creating documents rather than building a relationship with a trusted advisor who understands your unique situation and can guide you through life's changes.

This is why the concept of "planning that works" is so crucial. It's not enough to have estate planning documents—you need a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan that evolves with your life and includes ongoing guidance to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

A Life & Legacy Plan includes regular reviews to make sure your plan still fits your current situation. It involves clear communication with your loved ones about your wishes and the plan's structure. Most importantly, it includes professional guidance to navigate complex requirements like estate tax returns and portability elections.

When Fay Rowland died, someone should have been there to ensure her estate tax return was filed correctly. Someone should have double-checked that all required details were included. Someone should have been monitoring the situation to catch any potential issues before they became disasters.

Instead, the family was left to navigate these treacherous waters alone, and it cost them dearly.

Building Protection That Actually Works
The good news is that the Rowland family's nightmare is completely preventable. But it requires a different approach to estate planning—one that prioritizes ongoing relationships and comprehensive planning over simple document creation. That’s what the Life & Legacy Planning® process in Grapevine, Southlake, and Keller is all about.

Here’s what you need to know about why Life & Legacy Planning works:

Estate planning isn't a "set it and forget it" proposition. Your plan needs to grow and change as your life evolves. This means regular reviews with me, Spencer Chaffin, a Grapevine estate planning lawyer, so I can spot potential problems before they become disasters.

If you're married and have significant assets, don't assume that basic estate planning documents are enough. You need a comprehensive strategy that considers tax implications, coordinates with all your other financial planning, and includes proper guidance for complex decisions like portability elections. I have these systems in place.

Make sure your family knows the plan. Too many estate planning disasters happen because surviving family members don't understand what needs to be done or when critical deadlines are approaching. Your loved ones shouldn't be learning about your estate plan for the first time after you're gone. Instead, I’ll support you to have open communication with your loved ones before you die, and be there for them after you die. They’ll never be left wondering what your intentions were, what to do, or how to do it.

Finally, when you work with me, I’m not just a document preparer. I am a trusted advisor who will be there for your family when decisions need to be made, will ensure that required returns are filed properly, and will monitor changing laws that might affect your plan. You don’t need to worry about your plan failing and your loved ones paying the price, because I’ll be there to ensure it works.

The Rowland family's story is a stark reminder that in estate planning, small details can have enormous consequences. Don't let a paperwork error destroy the legacy you've spent a lifetime building.

Protect Your Family's Future Today
Your family's financial security is too important to leave to chance. The Rowland case shows us that even successful families with significant assets can lose millions because of estate planning mistakes that could have been easily prevented with proper guidance and a trusted advisor who’s there for you throughout your life and for your loved ones after you die.

As a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, I help families create comprehensive Life & Legacy Plans that actually work when you need them to. My process ensures that your assets are protected, your loved ones understand the plan, and all the technical requirements are handled properly—so you never have to worry about a costly mistake derailing your family's future.

With the right planning, you can rest easy knowing that your legacy will be preserved exactly as you intended and your life's work will benefit the people you love most.

Don't let your family become the next cautionary tale. Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call and take the first step toward protecting your family's future:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

This article is a service of BC Counselors at Law, PLLC. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session™, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session™.

The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.

Will Christoferson 8/25/25 Will Christoferson 8/25/25

When Every Dollar Counts: How Labor Day Reminds Us That Life & Legacy Planning Is More Essential Than Ever

Labor Day has always been about honoring the American worker—the people who build our communities, power our economy, and create the foundation of our society. But this year, as we fire up our grills and enjoy that long weekend, there's an elephant in the room that deserves our attention.

For millions of working families, every dollar has become precious in a way it hasn't been for decades. While we celebrate labor, the reality is that the fruits of that labor aren't stretching as far as they used to.
Let’s explore why the current economic squeeze actually makes protecting your hard-earned money more important than ever before. We'll consider specific data showing how much basic necessities have increased, why this makes estate planning crucial rather than optional, and how Life & Legacy Planning can ensure every dollar you've worked for reaches the people you love—instead of being lost to legal complications and unnecessary fees.

The Numbers Are Staggering
The data tell a stark story that affects people where it hurts most - the essential costs of daily life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2020 to 2024, food prices rose 23.6 percent—higher than the overall inflation rate of 21.2 percent. Transportation costs skyrocketed even more, jumping 34.4 percent, while housing costs climbed 23.0 percent. For renters, rent prices are now 35.8% higher than before the pandemic and have risen 1.5 times faster than wages since 2019. Meanwhile, potential homebuyers face mortgage rates that jumped from below 3% during COVID to a peak of 7.08% in October of 2024, more than doubling borrowing costs (as of publication, rates are about 6.6%). And if you need a car? New vehicle prices have climbed 22% since 2019, with the average payment now at a record $742 per month.

Furthermore, with the implementation of new U.S. tariff rates, data show that consumer prices have increased in the short run and are expected to continue the pattern in the long run.

This isn't about statistics—it's about real families making real sacrifices. Parents skipping meals so their kids can eat. Young adults are moving back home because rent is unaffordable. Retirees are returning to work because their savings aren't enough anymore.

So what does this economic reality mean for protecting your family's future?

Why Life & Legacy Planning is More Critical, Not Less
Here's what might surprise you: this economic squeeze makes Life & Legacy Planning more crucial, not less.

When money is tight, it's natural to think estate planning is a luxury you can't afford. That thinking couldn't be more wrong. In fact, it could cost your loved ones everything you’ve worked for and keep them from being able to use their inheritance to build a stable financial future for themselves.

When resources are already stretched thin, your family simply cannot afford the chaos that comes from not having a plan. Without proper planning, your assets could get stuck in probate court for months or years while your loved ones can't access money for basic living expenses, medical bills, or keeping the family home. Court fees and administrative expenses can easily consume 5-10% of an estate's value and sometimes more. For a family already struggling financially, losing thousands to unnecessary legal fees can be devastating.

The beauty of proper Life & Legacy Planning is that it works regardless of your economic circumstances. In fact, the less financial cushion you have, the more important it becomes to ensure every dollar reaches the people you love.

When you work with me to create your comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan, I can help you ensure that your loved ones have immediate access to resources when they need them—no waiting months for probate courts or scrambling to pay the estate’s bills out of pocket while assets are tied up. Together, we’ll use smart planning strategies to help your dollars go further- whether through trusts that protect assets from creditors, structures that preserve government benefits, or life insurance proceeds that grow over time rather than becoming a one-time payout. Moreover, a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan adapts as your circumstances change over time, ensuring that it works when your loved ones need it to.

But what happens to families who don't have this protection in place? Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario that illustrates the specific impact your loved ones could face.

The Real Cost to Your Loved Ones
Consider this: Maria worked two jobs to support her three children after her divorce. Between her administrative work and weekend grocery shifts, she was barely keeping afloat even before inflation hit hard. She was in survival mode, working hard to support herself and her children each day. Estate planning felt like a luxury she couldn't afford, both in terms of time and money.

But Maria did have assets to protect: a small life insurance policy, a modest retirement account, and emergency savings. More importantly, she had three minor children who would need care both physically and financially if she died before they became adults.

Maria ended up dying in a tragic car accident, at which point her family discovered the harsh reality of not having a plan. Her life insurance got tied up because she'd never updated beneficiary designations after her divorce—it still listed her disappeared ex-husband. Her children ended up in temporary foster care because family members couldn’t afford to raise them and their own kids at the same time.

By the time the legal dust settled eighteen months later, attorney fees and court costs had consumed nearly 40% of what Maria had worked so hard to save. Her children inherited a mess instead of their mother's gift of financial stability.

Now consider this: If Maria had worked with me to create a Life & Legacy Plan, not only would we have created a plan that saved her assets for her children rather than going towards court costs, but I would have also helped her review her beneficiary designations for her accounts, further protecting those assets for her kids. Her children would not have ended up in foster care because I would have advised her on how to provide financial support so her chosen guardians had the financial resources to raise her children. And, because I have systems in place to make the planning process easy and efficient, I would have helped her get her planning done even though she was busy working two jobs and raising three children.

It appears that the economic challenges we're facing aren't going away soon. But by working with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan, you can ensure that today's financial pressures don't compound into tomorrow's devastating problems.

Take Action Today
This Labor Day, honor your hard work by protecting the fruits of your labor. The current financial reality facing many families - perhaps yours - means that now is the perfect time to plan for the future. Your family deserves to inherit your love and care, not legal complications and unnecessary expenses.

As a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that protects both your wealth and your relationships. My process starts with a Life & Legacy Planning® Session, where we'll discuss your economic reality, your family dynamics, your concerns, and your goals for your loved ones’ future. From there, we'll create a Life & Legacy Plan that works when you and your loved ones need it to.

Take action today. Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call with my office:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 8/18/25 Will Christoferson 8/18/25

When Fame Can't Fix Family: What Hulk Hogan's Estate Teaches Us About Failed Planning

When wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died at age 71, the world lost an icon. But behind the headlines about his estimated $25 million estate and decades of wrestling fame lies a heartbreaking family story that offers powerful lessons for anyone with people they love.

This story demonstrates that wealth and fame can't substitute for the kind of planning that actually protects families from conflict and preserves relationships. Even with millions of dollars and access to the best legal advice money can buy, the Hogan family still experienced the pain that comes when estate planning focuses on documents rather than relationships. Let's explore what went wrong and how proper Life & Legacy Planning® could have prevented this heartbreak.

What Happened in the Hogan Family
To understand the magnitude of this family tragedy, let’s analyze what happened. Brooke Hogan is Hulk’s daughter from his first marriage. But she wasn't just his daughter—she appears to have been his devoted caregiver. According to reports, she was there for every surgery he had, she’d take detailed notes from every doctor who treated her father, and coordinated his medical care through multiple health crises. She even moved from Michigan to Florida to be closer to her father.

But Brooke became increasingly concerned about the people surrounding her father. She reportedly felt that individuals were taking advantage of him, and despite her efforts to protect him, these concerns created ongoing disagreements between father and daughter. The situation deteriorated over time. After years of trying to protect her father and being met with resistance, Brooke made an extraordinary decision in 2023. She contacted Hogan's financial manager and asked to be removed from his will entirely because she did not want to deal with the conflict she saw coming after her father died.

Think about what this means for a moment. Brooke walked away from what could have been millions of dollars—more than most people will ever see in their lifetime.

Put yourself in Brooke's shoes. Imagine loving your father deeply, caring for him through serious health problems, and then feeling forced to choose between fighting for your inheritance and preserving your own peace of mind. The emotional weight of that decision must have been crushing. She essentially chose to protect herself from future conflict by giving up any claim to the wealth her father had built.

Why Brooke's Decision Was Rational
While relinquishing millions of dollars might seem extreme, Brooke's decision reflects a harsh reality about family conflict and inheritance disputes. Her choice was actually quite rational when you understand how devastating estate battles can become, particularly in families that already have underlying tensions.

Family conflict over inheritances is incredibly common, especially in blended families where multiple marriages create complex dynamics. Family disputes over estates can drag on for years, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, and permanently destroy relationships between siblings, parents, and children. When families are already experiencing conflict before someone dies, these disputes become even more likely and more destructive.

Brooke was keenly aware of how conflict was already affecting her relationship with her father. She could see that the people she was concerned about had significant influence over him, and she likely recognized that challenging his will after his death would mean fighting not just for money, but against those same individuals who might benefit from prolonged litigation.

Estate battles are also emotionally devastating. They force grieving family members to fight in court during the worst time in their lives, often revealing painful family secrets and forcing people to choose sides. The stress of litigation can destroy your health, your finances, and your relationships with other family members who may be on different sides of the dispute.

Given this reality, Brooke's decision to walk away begins to make sense. She chose her own peace of mind and the preservation of her immediate family over the uncertainty and trauma of a potential inheritance battle. While losing millions of dollars is significant, losing years of your life to litigation stress and family conflict can be even more costly.

The Cost of Family Estrangement Goes Beyond Money
Brooke Hogan's decision to remove herself from her father's will represents more than just a financial choice. It's the lost opportunity for reconciliation, the years of estrangement, and the fact that Hogan died without ever meeting his grandchildren. These are the kinds of losses that no amount of money can ever repair.

Family estrangement often stems from communication breakdowns, unresolved conflicts, and the absence of clear processes for addressing problems when they arise. When families don't have regular opportunities to discuss their concerns, share their values, and work through disagreements, small issues can escalate into relationship-ending conflicts.

This pattern repeats itself in families across the country, regardless of their wealth or status. Adult children become estranged from parents over disagreements about new spouses, business decisions, or lifestyle choices. Siblings stop speaking to each other over perceived slights or unfair treatment. Parents and children lose precious years together because they don't know how to bridge their differences.

How Life & Legacy Planning Prevents Family Breakdown
The tragedy of the Hogan family situation is that it likely could have been prevented with the right kind of planning early on. Our Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ process takes a completely different approach that addresses not just the legal and financial aspects of estate planning, but the relationship dynamics that determine whether families stay connected or fall apart.

When you work with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan, I can help you have open communication with your family members before what’s not spoken becomes a potential source of conflict. If you have concerns about people surrounding a family member, or if there are disagreements about lifestyle choices or relationships, these issues get addressed while everyone is healthy and able to participate in finding solutions.

Life & Legacy Planning also includes regular reviews and updates that keep families connected over time. Life changes, relationships evolve, and new people enter the picture. Rather than letting these changes create distance and misunderstanding, regular planning reviews provide opportunities to discuss how changes affect the family and to make adjustments that preserve relationships.

Perhaps most importantly, Life & Legacy Planning helps families understand that the goal of planning isn't just to transfer assets, but to preserve the relationships that make those assets meaningful. What good is leaving someone an inheritance if the process of receiving it destroys their relationship with the rest of the family? What's the point of building wealth if your children become estranged from you before you die?

When done properly, estate planning becomes a vehicle for strengthening family relationships rather than a source of conflict. Families learn to communicate more effectively, work through disagreements, and make decisions that reflect their shared values. The planning process itself becomes an opportunity to build the kind of family legacy that lasts for generations.

Your Family Doesn't Have to Follow This Pattern
The Hogan family's experience doesn't have to be your family's story. You can create a plan that protects both your assets and your relationships. It starts with recognizing that estate planning is about much more than legal documents and financial distributions.

The key is working with someone who understands that successful estate planning requires addressing family dynamics, not just legal requirements. When you create a Life & Legacy Plan, you're not just deciding who gets what when you die. You're creating a framework for maintaining family relationships throughout your life and beyond.

This means having honest conversations about your values, your concerns, and your hopes for your family's future. It means establishing processes for addressing conflicts when they arise. It means creating systems that keep your family connected even as life changes and new challenges emerge. I support you to do all that and more.

Most importantly, it means recognizing that the people you love are more important than the assets you're leaving behind. Your legacy isn't just about what you've accumulated during your lifetime. It's about the relationships you've built, the values you've passed on, and the love you've shared with the people who matter most to you.

Take Action Before It's Too Late
Don't let your family's story end like the Hogan family's, with years of estrangement and missed opportunities for connection. As a Personal Family Lawyer®, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that protects both your wealth and your relationships. My process starts with a Life & Legacy Planning Session, where we'll discuss your family dynamics, your concerns, and your goals for keeping your family connected. From there, we'll create a comprehensive plan that evolves with you and your family, and ensures that your legacy is one of love, not conflict.

Take the first step toward protecting what matters most. Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call today:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 8/11/25 Will Christoferson 8/11/25

Why Estate Documents Fail: The Hidden Truth About Traditional Estate Planning

You think your work is done. But then you die, and your loved ones are left battling court delays, family conflict, and financial loss. Read more…

You hired a lawyer, signed your estate planning documents, and filed them safely away. Or maybe your financial advisor created your documents, or you might have done them yourself online, for free using AI. You think your work is done. But then you die, and your loved ones are left battling court delays, family conflict, and financial loss.

It’s a scenario I’ve seen too many times. Families who thought they were protected learn—too late—that their loved ones' estate plan failed them. The problem? Traditional estate planning focuses on creating legal documents, not on building a plan that works when your loved ones need it most.

In this article, I’ll share real stories I’ve heard and read about that show why documents aren’t enough—and how Life & Legacy Planning® offers a better solution.

When Legal Documents Create Legal Disasters
Let’s start with a few families who did everything “right.” They worked with lawyers, signed estate plans, and trusted the process. But those plans didn’t work when it mattered most.

The Father Who Tried to Protect His Eight Children
A loving father created a trust to divide his assets among his eight children. But the attorney he worked with missed one small—but critical—detail: a strip of land near the family beach home wasn’t titled in the name of the trust.

When the father died, that oversight sparked a costly legal mess. His children faced delays, infighting, and a breakdown in trust—not only with each other, but with the attorney. And the very plan meant to protect them became a source of conflict.

The Blended Family That Fell Apart Overnight
One man left his entire estate to his second wife, trusting her to “do right” by his daughter from his first marriage. But when he died, that trust was shattered. His wife kept everything - which she was entitled to do because he intentionally left all his assets to her - and cut off his daughter completely.

The daughter was left with two painful options: spend thousands in court with little hope of winning, or walk away with nothing. This father never imagined that grief and money would change family dynamics. But they often do.

The DIY Planner Who Unintentionally Disinherited Her Family
Another woman was proud of her financial savvy and used online templates to create a trust. Later, she wrote out a list of personal gifts for her children and grandchildren. But she didn’t realize that list had no legal standing. She also didn’t realize that the online trust document stated that the law in a different state dictated how the trust would be interpreted. It was a state she had never lived in, and thousands of miles from her home.

When she died, her second husband inherited everything. Her children went to court, and the case became expensive and contentious - exactly the outcome Jane was trying to avoid by drafting a trust in the first place.

Each of these people thought they were making smart decisions. They believed having legal documents meant they were protected. But, as the stories illustrate, documents alone aren’t enough.

Why “Simple” Plans Often Cost the Most
Another dangerous myth? Thinking your estate is “simple.” I can’t tell you how many people call my office and say something to the effect of, “My situation is very simple, I don’t need anything complicated.” Then we meet for a Life & Legacy Planning® Session, and they discover that what they thought was “simple” actually wasn’t. Most estates are more complicated than people think.

The truth is, even basic plans can fall apart without guidance.

The Daughter Who Lost the Family Home
After her father passed away, a woman discovered his house was still under mortgage—and behind on payments. She only found out because she was cleaning out his house and saw the bank’s letters in the mail. He did not have an inventory of his assets and liabilities she could find and know what to do. She couldn’t afford to catch up on his mortgage with her own money. She tried to negotiate with the bank, but she lacked legal authority to do so. That meant she had to file paperwork and had to wait for the court to appoint her as estate administrator before negotiating with the bank.

The court process took months because the courts were backed up with cases. Before she had authority to act, the bank foreclosed. The equity in her inheritance vanished.

This is entirely legal, too. Check your mortgage paperwork. It probably has a clause saying that the obligation to pay extends beyond your life.

A Better Approach: Life & Legacy Planning®
These stories show why traditional estate planning fails. It treats planning like a one-time transaction—a stack of documents to sign and forget. But the documents alone won’t ensure your kids aren’t disinherited, the equity in your home is lost, and that your loved ones aren’t left with a mess. That's why Life & Legacy Planning is different.

With this approach, you don’t just get documents. You get a comprehensive plan that addresses:

Your assets: including a complete and updated inventory where your loved ones can find it and no assets get lost
Your wishes: from how assets are divided to how children are raised
Your family dynamics: so that conflict is minimized, not created, and you don’t accidentally disinherit your children
Ongoing updates: to ensure your plan stays relevant as your life changes

And most importantly, your loved ones get a trusted advisor—someone to call when the worst happens, who knows your plan and can guide them step-by-step, relieving them of stress, time off from work, extra expenses out of their pockets, and who provides support when they’re grieving. Documents cannot do that.

Real Protection Means More Than Documents on a Shelf
When you create a Life & Legacy Plan with me, your family will know where to find important documents and how to access accounts. They’ll know what steps to take, what bills to pay, and who to turn to for help.

A Life & Legacy Plan goes further to protect your family:

I will ensure your documents are not only signed, but that your trust is properly funded so your loved ones don’t have to go to court.
We will create and maintain a detailed asset inventory, including life insurance, retirement accounts, digital assets, and more.
I will review your plan regularly because your life, your finances, and the law all change over time - and if your plan doesn’t accurately reflect your life when you die or become incapacitated, it will fail. Your life isn’t static, and so your plan shouldn’t be either.

You will also pass on personal messages, stories, and your values. I hear over and over again from my clients’ loved ones that these things matter most - even more than the balance in your retirement account.

Planning Isn’t Just for You—It’s for the People You Love
Here’s another thing that traditional estate planning doesn’t get. Planning isn’t about you. It’s about the people who will be left behind. They’re the ones you do it for. So, ask yourself these questions:

Do you want them to waste months in court? Struggle to locate assets? Argue with siblings? Lose a home or miss an inheritance?

Or do you want them to feel secure, supported, and cared for—because you took the time to put a real plan in place?

Take Action Today
The stories I've shared aren't isolated incidents. They represent what happens to thousands of families every year who thought they were protected by traditional estate planning. Each person believed their situation was different, their family was closer, they could trust their spouse to carry out their wishes, and that their planning was sufficient. They never imagined they'd become cautionary tales.

Don't let your family become another story of estate planning gone wrong. The families in these stories thought it could never happen to them, but it did. The difference is that you still have time to create a plan that will actually protect the people you love most.

Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call to learn more about how I can support you:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 8/4/25 Will Christoferson 8/4/25

“It Has Been Such a Good Life”: The Legacy Your Loved Ones Need

In the aftermath of her father’s passing, as her mother gathered his things from the hospital, she discovered something Anna never expected—a notebook, and inside it, a note scrawled in her dad’s handwriting. Read more…

When Anna Harp lost her father, Rudolph Clausing, she didn’t get to say goodbye. It was January 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her dad had been battling lung disease when he contracted the virus, and strict hospital protocols meant his family couldn’t be by his side in his final days. Anna was just 27. Her father was 66. And in an instant, he was gone.

But in the aftermath of her father’s passing, as her mother gathered his things from the hospital, she discovered something Anna never expected—a notebook, and inside it, a note scrawled in her dad’s handwriting:

“It has been such a good life.”

Seven simple words. And yet, to Anna, they were everything.

This touching story reveals something profound about what loved ones truly need after someone dies. While we often focus on financial inheritance and legal documents, the reality is that your loved ones will treasure your humanity, your love, and your guidance far more than any material wealth you leave behind. So the question is: are you preparing to give them what they'll value most?

What Your Family REALLY Values After You're Gone
In the immediate aftermath of losing someone you love, money becomes secondary to the desperate need for connection, comfort, and understanding. They'll be searching for pieces of you, trying to feel your presence, and longing to know what you would have wanted them to do.

When you die without sharing your deeper thoughts and feelings, your loved ones are left with an emotional void that no amount of money can fill. They may spend years wondering what you were thinking, whether you were proud of them, or how you would have handled certain situations. This uncertainty has the power to create lasting pain that affects their relationships, their decisions, and their ability to move forward with confidence.

The people who struggle most after losing someone aren't necessarily those with financial problems—they're the ones who feel emotionally adrift because they don’t know how to find peace after their loved one has died.

The True Legacy of Love: Clear Communication and Guidance
The best way to help them find peace is by passing on your love. Love is expressed through preparation and clear communication. When you take time to share your thoughts, values, and wishes with your family, you're giving them a roadmap for navigating life without you. This isn't just about end-of-life care or funeral arrangements—it's about providing the emotional support and practical guidance they'll need for years to come.

This type of communication becomes a legacy of love that extends far beyond your lifetime. When your children face difficult decisions, they can ask themselves what you would have done. When they need encouragement, they can remember your words of support. When they want to honor your memory, they know exactly what would make you proud.

Clear communication also prevents the kind of family conflicts that can destroy relationships after someone dies. When everyone understands your wishes and the reasoning behind them, there's less room for misunderstanding or manipulation. Your words become a unifying force that brings your loved ones together rather than driving them apart during an already difficult time.

Unfortunately, traditional estate planning completely misses this crucial need for emotional connection and ongoing guidance. Traditional planning focuses solely on legal documents, as if dying is a purely financial transaction. Traditional estate planners may ask you who should get your house and how to minimize taxes, but they won't help you communicate your values, share your life lessons, or prepare your family for the emotional realities they'll face after you're gone.

Create Your Own Legacy of Love Through Life & Legacy Planning
Life & Legacy Planning is so much more than traditional estate planning. It prepares your loved ones for a life without you. Here’s how:

You Create Clarity, Not Just Documents
Life & Legacy Planning is so much more than creating documents. It's estate planning done the right way so that it will work for the people you love most when they need it to. Once you create a Life & Legacy Plan with me, your loved ones will have the guidance they need. They’ll know where to find important documents, how to access your accounts, and what steps to take first. They will have clear instructions about everything from paying bills to handling your business interests.

But most importantly, they'll understand your wishes, not just about money, but about the things that matter most to them—how you'd want your children raised if you die while they’re minors, and what values you hope they'll carry forward. Your loved ones will know what family traditions you want to pass on, and what stories you want to tell about family members long-since passed.

You Prepare Your Loved Ones for Financial Realities
Your Life & Legacy Plan will also address the financial realities - not just the transactions - your loved ones will face. How will your spouse manage the mortgage? What about your children's future education costs? How can you ensure your family maintains their lifestyle while also preparing for long-term financial security? The answers to these questions won't come from a life insurance policy or a set of documents alone.

You Leave a Piece of Yourself
An important part of my Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ process, most clients tell me it’s the most important part, is I help you create a Life & Legacy Recording. It's your opportunity to speak directly to your loved ones about what matters most. You might share the story behind family heirlooms, explain your values and hopes for the future, offer encouragement for difficult times ahead, or simply express how much your family means to you.

Unlike Rudolph's note, which was discovered by chance, your Life & Legacy Recording is specifically designed to be watched when your family needs it most. It becomes a permanent reminder of your love, wisdom, and presence in their lives. Your grandchildren will even be able to hear your voice and learn from your experiences, even if they're born years after you're gone.

You Give Them a Guide So They Have Someone to Turn to When They Need It
Finally, I have systems in place to review and update your plan on an ongoing basis as your life and assets change, so your plan will work over time, and so you have a trusted advisor at your side who has your back. I'll form a relationship that will last throughout your lifetime, and I'll be available to your loved ones so they know exactly what to do and when. If I am no longer available, know that I’m part of the Personal Family LawyerⓇ network - lawyers who also use the Life & Legacy Planning process - and I’ll ensure one of them will be able to step in and support you and the people you love.

This ongoing relationship is what truly makes the difference. Most lawyers lose touch with clients once the documents are created, leaving families to navigate the legal process alone while they're grieving. When they have to go through probate or handle other legal matters, they have no idea what's expected of them or how to manage the process—and this is overwhelming, especially when they're also dealing with grief.

Let’s Build a Plan That Leaves No Questions—Only Love
If you want to create a plan that leaves a legacy, don’t wait. Life is unpredictable. But your love doesn’t have to be.

As your Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, I’ll help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that protects your family legally, prepares them emotionally, and leaves behind the greatest gift you could ever give them the gift of your love.

Schedule your complimentary 15-minute discovery call today, so we can create a plan that helps you say:

“It has been such a good life.”

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 7/29/25 Will Christoferson 7/29/25

Nobody Prepared Me for This! The Reality of Managing Inherited Real Estate

You've just lost someone important to you, and now you're responsible for their home. Maybe it's sitting empty while you figure out what to do next. Read more…

You've just lost someone important to you, and now you're responsible for their home. Maybe it's sitting empty while you figure out what to do next. Maybe you're planning to sell it, or perhaps other family members want to move in eventually. Whatever your plans, you're about to discover that an empty house needs almost as much attention as an occupied one—sometimes more.

The challenges of managing a vacant inherited home go far beyond simply deciding whether to keep it or sell it. From the moment you take responsibility for the property, you're facing security risks, maintenance issues, insurance complications, and legal responsibilities that most people never anticipate. Let's walk through what you can expect and how to protect both the property and your family's interests.

The Immediate Security Concerns You Can't Ignore
The first 48 hours after someone dies can be critical for protecting their home. Unfortunately, there are people who see a death announcement or funeral notice as an opportunity. Break-ins during funeral services happen, and an obviously empty house can become a target for theft or vandalism.

Your immediate priorities should include securing all entry points and changing the locks as soon as possible. You don't know who might have keys or alarm codes. That trusted neighbor who helped your relative might be completely trustworthy, but their teenage son's friends are unknown quantities. The home health aide who cared for your loved one might have made copies of keys with good intentions, but now those keys represent a security risk.

Beyond changing locks, you'll want to establish some basic security measures. Make sure neighbors know who should and shouldn't be around the property. If there's a security system, update the codes and contact information. Consider having someone stay at the house during the funeral service if possible.

Remove easily portable valuable items as quickly as you can. Jewelry, small electronics, cash, prescription medications, and firearms should be your first priorities. Don't forget about items that might not seem valuable to you but could be attractive to thieves, like tools, lawn equipment, or collectibles.

The goal isn't to empty the entire house immediately, but to remove the items that would be easiest for someone to grab quickly and that would be hardest for you to replace.

While security concerns might seem like the biggest challenge initially, they're actually just the beginning of your responsibilities as the new property owner.

The Ongoing Maintenance That Never Stops
Once you've secured the immediate concerns, you'll discover that houses don't pause their needs just because they're empty. In fact, vacant homes often require more maintenance attention than occupied ones because small problems can quickly become big problems when no one is around to notice them.

Heating and cooling systems still need to run to prevent damage to the structure and remaining contents. In winter, you can't simply turn off the heat—frozen pipes can cause thousands of dollars in damage. In summer and humid climates, lack of air circulation can lead to mold growth that can destroy the property's value.

Regular inspections become crucial when no one's living in the house day-to-day. A small roof leak that a homeowner might notice immediately can cause extensive damage in an empty house before anyone discovers it. Clogged gutters, missing shingles, or foundation issues won't announce themselves—you need to actively look for them.

The property's exterior needs ongoing attention too. An unmowed lawn, unremoved newspapers, or uncleared snow immediately signals that the house is vacant. This not only creates security risks but can also violate local ordinances and affect the property's value. You'll need to arrange for regular lawn care, snow removal, and general upkeep to maintain the property's appearance and value.

Don't forget about pest control. Vacant homes can quickly become attractive to rodents and insects, especially if there's food left in pantries or if entry points aren't properly sealed. What starts as a small mouse problem can become a major infestation that damages the property and creates health hazards.

Beyond the day-to-day maintenance challenges, there's another critical issue that many families discover too late: their insurance coverage may not be what they think it is.

The Insurance Complications That Could Cost You
Here's something that catches many families off guard: your loved one's homeowner's insurance might not cover damages that occur after the house becomes vacant. Insurance companies consider vacant properties to be higher risk, and many standard homeowners policies have clauses that limit or exclude coverage for properties that have been unoccupied for more than 30 days.

You need to contact the insurance company immediately to report the change in occupancy status. Some insurers will provide continued coverage for vacant properties, but usually at higher premiums and with more limited coverage. Others might cancel the policy entirely, requiring you to find specialized vacant property insurance.

The stakes here are enormous. If the house burns down or suffers major damage and the insurance company determines it was vacant without proper coverage, you could be personally liable for the full loss. This could easily amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Even if you're planning to sell the property quickly, don't assume you can skip this step. Estate sales often take longer than expected, and even a few months of improper coverage could result in devastating financial consequences.

The key is to be proactive and honest with the insurance company about the property's status. Work with them to understand your options and ensure continuous appropriate coverage throughout the time you're responsible for the property.

While these challenges might seem overwhelming, there's a way to prevent most of them from becoming problems in the first place.

How Life & Legacy Planning Prevents These Problems
All of these challenges become much more manageable if your loved one had a proper Life & Legacy Plan in place. Unlike traditional estate planning that focuses primarily on legal documents, Life & Legacy Planning anticipates the practical realities your loved ones will face and provides systems to handle them smoothly.

When you work with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan, we will include a complete asset inventory that documents everything your family needs to know about the property, including the deed, insurance policy and other documentation relevant to the home. This inventory prevents your family from having to search through boxes and files while they're grieving, trying to piece together basic information about what you own.

Life & Legacy Planning may also include strategies to ensure funds are immediately available to cover property expenses. This is crucial because, without proper planning, your family might have to pay out of pocket for maintenance, repairs, insurance, and utilities for months or even years if you need to administer the estate through probate.. Imagine having to cover a major roof repair or heating system replacement from your own savings because the estate's funds are tied up in court. Many people aren’t in the position to be able to do this while keeping up with their own expenses.

Perhaps most importantly, when you work with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan, your family will have me as their trusted advisor when these challenges arise. They won't have to search for help while they're dealing with grief and trying to figure out what to do with your house. Instead, they'll have someone who can guide them through each decision with confidence.

Taking Action to Protect Your Family
If you want to make sure your loved ones know exactly what to do with your house after you die - and they have the support they need for every step - the time to act is now. As a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that works so your loved ones aren’t burdened with the stress of trying to figure out what to do. You’ll start with a Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ Session, where you’ll get more financially organized than ever before, and learn what will happen to your home, your loved ones, and all your assets if you become incapacitated or when you die. Armed with this knowledge, you and I will create a plan together that fits your unique needs, wishes, and values at a price that works for you. When you work with me, I make it easy for you to give your loved ones the greatest gift - the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve taken care of all the details, so they don’t have to.

Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call and learn how I can help you create a plan that truly protects the people you love:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 7/21/25 Will Christoferson 7/21/25

100 Heirs, $17 Billion, and 1 Big Estate Plan: What You Can Learn from a Tech Billionaire

Imagine you’re worth $17 billion and have over 100 biological children—some born through relationships, others through anonymous sperm donations. What would your estate plan look like? More importantly, what could go wrong if you didn’t have one?

In a recent interview with Le Point magazine, Pavel Durov, the co-founder of Telegram, revealed exactly that. Durov, who is just 40 years old, says he has six children through relationships with three partners and over 100 more conceived through anonymous sperm donations across 12 countries. Despite this staggering family tree, Durov says he plans to leave his fortune equally to all of his biological children.

Most of us won’t leave behind a tech empire, a billion-dollar estate, or triple-digit biological children. But Durov’s story reveals something important: no matter how complex or simple your life may seem, you need an estate plan that works. Here's why.

You Don’t Need a Billion Dollars to Need a Plan
Let’s get this straight—estate planning isn’t just for billionaires. Whether you have $1,000 or $10 million, your assets matter. More importantly, the people you love and the life you’ve built deserve good choices and good planning.

In fact, having less money often makes planning even more critical. Without a plan, your family could be stuck in court, paying legal fees and waiting months (or years) to gain access to your accounts, your home, or even the legal authority to make decisions for you, if you're incapacitated.

Estate planning also goes beyond money. It’s also about:

Naming legal guardians for your minor children - and preparing them to raise your children in the way you want and with the resources they need;
Choosing someone to make healthcare decisions if you can’t - and equipping them with the clarity they need so your wishes are honored;
Making sure your loved ones know how to find and access all your assets so nothing gets lost and turned over to your state’s department of unclaimed property;
Communicating your values, wishes, and legacy clearly so your loved ones are on the same page and don’t fight over what they think you wanted.

But as Durov’s story shows, having a plan is just the beginning. What really matters is how you plan—and who your plan includes.

Equal Doesn’t Always Mean Simple
Durov made headlines by declaring he will treat all of his biological children equally—regardless of how they were conceived. In theory, this sounds noble. In practice, it’s complicated.

Let’s unpack that. First, how do you even find all 100+ children—especially if they were conceived anonymously in different countries? Who gets to verify their biological connection? What if two children fight over their share of the inheritance? What if one child was never told the truth about their conception?

Even if you don’t have 100 heirs, blended families and nontraditional family structures are more common than ever. Maybe you have children from previous relationships, stepchildren, adopted children, or even children you’re not in regular contact with. If your estate plan isn’t crystal clear, your family could face painful conflict—or worse, end up in court.

An effective plan addresses not just who inherits, but how, when, and under what conditions. It should:

Be updated as your family changes
Clarify your intentions around inheritance
Name the right people to manage your estate
Minimize the chances of conflict

Don’t assume your family will “just work it out.” Without a plan, the state decides—and that rarely leads to outcomes aligned with your wishes.

And if you’re thinking of delaying access to assets to avoid “trust fund baby” syndrome, there’s a smart way to do it. But you need more than good intentions—you need legal tools.

Timing and Trusts Matter More Than You Think
Pavel Durov says he doesn’t want his children accessing his fortune right away. Instead, he’s locking it up for 30 years so they can “build themselves up alone.” That approach may resonate with you—many parents don’t want their children inheriting a large sum before they’re mature enough to handle it.

The good news is, you don’t have to be a billionaire to set up similar protections. With the right kind of trust, you can:

Delay inheritance until a specific age or milestone or even keep an inheritance protected while giving your heirs access to use the assets
Distribute funds over time (e.g., one-third at age 25, one-third at 30, the rest at 35) or hold them all in trust with your heirs becoming co-trustees, and then even sole trustees, when they are educated and ready
Limit how funds can be used (like education, housing, or medical care)
Appoint a trustee to manage the money wisely

Trusts also help avoid probate, which is often a long, expensive, and public court process. They offer privacy and peace of mind, especially if your family includes young children, special needs beneficiaries, or high-conflict dynamics.

Without a trust, delayed inheritance plans can easily fall apart—or be contested in court. In short, the law needs to back up your wishes.

Planning Isn’t Just Legal—It’s Personal
The most powerful part of Durov’s story isn’t the money—it’s his desire to treat all of his children as equals and prevent conflict after his death. That’s an emotional choice, not just a financial one.

That’s what true estate planning is about. It’s about making intentional decisions that reflect your values and relationships.

When I work with families to create a Life & Legacy Plan, we don’t just talk about assets. We talk about the people you love, your vision for their future, and how you want to be remembered. That means:

Ensuring your children are raised by the people you choose in the way you want, with the resources they need, or when they are adults, preparing them to receive whatever you’ll leave behind
Creating a system for passing on not just wealth, but wisdom
Including an asset inventory so nothing gets lost or overlooked
Recording a Life & Legacy Interview to preserve your stories and values

These are the things your family will need most—not just bank accounts and deeds, but guidance, clarity, and support.

Your Plan Needs to Work When It’s Needed Most
Here’s the truth: even the best documents can fail without regular review, ongoing support, and thoughtful execution.

Most traditional estate plans are one-time transactions—sign some papers, put them in a drawer, and hope they work. But life changes. Families grow. Assets shift. Relationships evolve.

If your plan isn’t updated regularly, it might not work when your loved ones need it to. That’s why I follow a proven system that includes:

A minimum 2-Meeting Planning Process to get your plan done
At least a 3-Year Review Cycle to keep it current
Flat fees so you’re never surprised by an unexpected bill
Ongoing support for your family after you’re gone, so they have someone to help them when they need it most

Because when the time comes, your family shouldn’t be left guessing. They should have a trusted advisor who knows your plan, your wishes, and how to make it all work.

Let’s Build a Plan That Honors Your Legacy
No matter your family size, wealth level, or complexity, you deserve a plan that protects the people you love and the life you’ve built.

As your Personal Family Lawyer®, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that keeps your loved ones out of court and conflict, avoids unnecessary taxes and delays, and gives your family something even more valuable than money: peace of mind.

Ready to get started? Schedule your 15-minute discovery call now, and let’s create a plan that works for the people you love—no matter how many that may be.

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 7/14/25 Will Christoferson 7/14/25

The Life-or-Death Decisions Your Family Shouldn't Have to Make Alone

When you think about estate planning, you probably picture wills, trusts, and who gets what. But what happens when decisions are made about your body, without your full consent or when you're not really gone?

A recent federal investigation uncovered a chilling truth: in dozens of cases, patients showed signs of life even as hospital staff prepared to remove their organs. If your loved ones were in that position, would they know what to do? More importantly, would they know what you would want?

In this article, I’ll explain how a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan protects not just your loved ones, but you. We’ll explore the risks of poor planning, how to make your medical wishes known, and how to ensure no one makes life-or-death decisions for you without your voice.

Organ Donation Without Clarity Can Go Horribly Wrong
According to a June 2025 New York Times report, in 2021, Anthony Thomas Hoover II's family faced their worst nightmare when he overdosed and was near death. They gathered and made the excruciating decision to end life support and donate his organs. As the hospital prepared for the removal procedure, something surprising happened.

He woke up.

Hoover cried, pulled his knees to his chest, and shook his head “no” as doctors moved forward. It took a hospital physician to step in and halt the process. Hoover survived, though he sustained neurological damage.

Astonishingly, this happens more often than most people may think. The federal investigation reviewed over 350 cases and flagged 73 where patients had shown signs of consciousness during the donation process. Some survived long enough to recover. Others died days later, without ever having their wishes clarified.

Unfortunately, in the absence of clear instructions, loved ones, hospitals, and donation agencies must make fast decisions—sometimes under pressure, and sometimes without the information they need from you. This puts them in a very tough and emotionally challenging situation.

One way to prevent this nightmare scenario from happening to you or someone you love is through clear communication, legal authority, and comprehensive planning. But first, let’s take a deeper dive into what happens when you haven’t prepared for this nightmare scenario.

How Hospitals Make Decisions When You Don’t
When you haven't created a plan that legally appoints a healthcare proxy or outlines your care preferences, hospitals rely on state laws and default policies to make decisions on your behalf. This process can be chaotic, impersonal, and completely disconnected from what you would actually want.

Here's what typically happens when you don't have your own plan in place. First, medical staff will review any existing documentation, including your driver's license for organ donor status, search for advance directives in your medical records, and consult hospital databases. If they find nothing, they turn to state law to determine who has the legal authority to make decisions for you.

The state's default hierarchy usually prioritizes spouses first, then adult children, then parents, then siblings. But what if you're estranged from your spouse? What if your adult children disagree with each other? What if the person the state chooses doesn't actually know your values or wishes?

In emergency situations, time pressure makes everything worse. Hospital staff need quick decisions about life support, treatment options, and potential organ donation. Without clear guidance from you, your loved ones may feel forced to make impossible choices based on incomplete information, their own emotions, or pressure from medical staff.

Knowing all this, what can you do to keep your loved ones from having to make these emotionally painful decisions? You can create a plan that works when you and your loved ones need it to.

Key Documents That Protect Your Medical Wishes
One part of planning that works is creating specific legal documents that give your loved ones the authority and guidance they need. Each document serves a different purpose, but they work together to ensure your wishes are followed. Here are the typical documents - tools, really - that you’ll create when you work with me as your Personal Family Lawyer:

A Living Will outlines your preferences for life-sustaining treatments, such as ventilation, resuscitation, and artificial nutrition. This document tells medical professionals and your loved ones exactly what you want if you're unable to communicate. Do you want to be kept alive at all costs? Are there circumstances where you'd want treatment stopped? Your directive provides these answers in writing.

A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare names the specific person you want to speak on your behalf if you can't. This person becomes your healthcare proxy, with legal authority to make medical decisions according to your wishes. Without this document, hospitals must follow state law to determine who can make decisions for you, and that person might not be who you would choose.

For the sake of clarity, know that some states combine the Living Will and the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care into one document called the Advance Directive for Healthcare.

HIPAA Authorization forms ensure your chosen decision-makers can access your medical information. Even close family members can be blocked from receiving medical updates unless you've given them written permission. This document removes barriers that could prevent your healthcare proxy from getting the information they need to advocate for you.

A document that isn’t usually part of traditional estate plans but that I can help you create as part of my Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ model is instructions about organ donation. We can include language about this in your Power of Attorney for Healthcare or include the information on a separate page and keep it with your estate plan. This goes beyond simply checking a box on your driver's license. Your preferences around donation will be clearly documented and aligned with the rest of your plan.

Having these documents in place is an integral part of your plan, but not the entire plan. You need more than just the documents or you risk failing your loved ones - and yourself.

Why Documents Alone Aren't Enough
While these documents are essential, they're just pieces of paper unless they're part of a comprehensive plan that actually works when you need it. Too many people think that signing a few forms means they're protected, but documents sitting in a drawer can't speak for you in a crisis.

In addition, documents can become outdated as your health, family situation, or values change over time. The healthcare directive you signed ten years ago might not reflect how you feel today about end-of-life care. Your chosen healthcare proxy might have moved away, become ill themselves, or simply be unavailable when needed.

Even current, properly executed documents can fail if your loved ones don't know where to find them or how to use them effectively. In the chaos of a medical emergency, family members might not know these documents exist, or hospital staff might not have immediate access to them. They need to be able to access the documents at the moment they need them.

But perhaps most importantly, documents can't replace the conversations you need to have with your loved ones about your end-of-life wishes. If you haven't talked openly about what you want—and why you want it—you're leaving your family to make excruciating decisions on their own, wondering if they're doing the right thing or whether their decisions will be the catalyst for long-term conflict.

When you take the time to have these difficult conversations—explaining not just what you want, but why you want it—you lift an enormous burden from their shoulders. Instead of agonizing over an impossible choice, they can act with confidence, knowing they're honoring your wishes. You’re also potentially preventing disputes among family members who may disagree about your care.

Ultimately, your loved ones need someone they can turn to for guidance when faced with impossible choices. They may need support in understanding your intent and advocating for your wishes when medical staff might pressure them to make different decisions.

All of this, and more, is just one reason why when I work with you, I’ll be your Personal Family Lawyer and trusted advisor for life - and your family’s advisor if you’re incapacitated or when you die. They’ll have a heart-centered human who knows you, your values, your wishes, and your intentions, and can see them through a difficult time with not only the legal support they need, but also the emotional support they want.

Book a 15-Minute Discovery Call to Start Your Plan
If the idea of being treated like an organ donor before you're actually gone makes your stomach turn, you’re not alone. What happened to Anthony Hoover and others like him is tragic—but preventable.

With a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan in place, you can make sure your medical choices are respected, your family is protected, and no one ever has to question whether they did the right thing for you.

When you work with me, I’ll be there not just to help you plan, but to guide your loved ones in an emergency and after you die. During those first frantic hours or days in a hospital, when emotions run high and decisions must be made quickly, your family won’t be left to figure it out alone. They’ll have me to turn to—someone who knows you, understands your values, and can help them navigate what comes next with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Your loved ones won’t be dealing with an overwhelmed hospital system or a stack of confusing paperwork—they’ll have a real human being to lean on.

To learn more about how I support you and your loved ones for life, book your 15-minute discovery call with me today.

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 7/7/25 Will Christoferson 7/7/25

When Paradise Turns to Pain: Jimmy Buffett's Estate Battle

Jimmy Buffett built an empire around the laid-back "Margaritaville" lifestyle, but his $275 million estate has become anything but relaxing for his family. Read more…

Jimmy Buffett built an empire around the laid-back "Margaritaville" lifestyle, but his $275 million estate has become anything but relaxing for his family. The legendary singer's widow and his longtime business manager are now locked in a bitter legal battle that could have been avoided with better planning and communication. In this article, you'll discover why having proper legal documents isn't enough to protect your family, what critical element was missing from Buffett's planning that led to this devastating conflict, and how Life & Legacy Planning can ensure your loved ones work together instead of fighting in court.

What Happened
Jimmy Buffett did many things right in his estate planning. According to reports, he created a will more than 30 years ago, updated it regularly (including just months before his death in 2023), and appointed both his wife, Jane, and his longtime accountant, Richard Mozenter, as co-trustees to manage his $275 million marital trust. The trust was designed to provide for Jane during her lifetime, with their three children inheriting what is left.

But despite having legal documents in place, the plan has created a nightmare for his family. Jane Buffett filed a lawsuit in June 2025 seeking to remove Mozenter as co-trustee, claiming he has been "openly hostile and adversarial" toward her while collecting $1.7 million annually in fees. She alleges he refused to provide basic financial information about her own trust and projected annual income of only $2 million from $275 million in assets, less than a 1% return.

Mozenter fired back with his own lawsuit, claiming that Jimmy had repeatedly expressed concerns regarding Jane's ability to manage and control his assets and that the trust was deliberately structured to prevent Jane from having absolute control. He alleges Jane has been uncooperative and has interfered with his management decisions.

This battle illustrates exactly why traditional estate planning often fails families, even when the documents themselves may be appropriately drafted and regularly updated.

The root of this conflict isn't in the legal documents themselves. It's something much more fundamental that many families overlook, regardless of how many assets they have: effective communication.

Why the Legal Documents Aren’t Enough
What's missing from this story isn't legal documents—it's communication. According to the news reports, Jane became angry because she could not control the trust on her own, suggesting that Jimmy never clearly explained his intentions to Jane or discussed how the co-trustee arrangement would work in practice. If Mozenter's claims are true that Jimmy had concerns about Jane's financial management abilities, why wasn't this discussed openly during Jimmy's lifetime? If Jane was intended to be the primary decision-maker for her own trust, why wasn't this made clear to Mozenter?

The result is two people with completely different understandings of Jimmy's wishes, each believing they are honoring his intentions while creating a hostile environment that serves no one, least of all Jane, who is supposed to be the sole beneficiary of the trust designed to support her.

This scenario plays out repeatedly in families more often than you may realize. You can have perfectly drafted legal documents, but if the people named in those documents don't understand your wishes or their roles, your plan can still fail spectacularly. Your loved ones end up in exactly the kind of conflict and costly court battles you were trying to avoid.

The Cost of Poor Communication
No one should underestimate how expensive poor communication can be. Even though Jimmy created a set of legal documents, the documents alone did not prevent the conflict. The family is now incurring enormous legal fees, while Jane's trust pays Mozenter $1.7 million annually to manage assets that she alleges are underperforming. The emotional toll on the family—watching their patriarch's legacy become a source of conflict rather than security—must feel immeasurable.

Trust litigation attorneys report seeing an increase in these types of disputes as more wealth transfers between generations. According to research and consulting firm Cerulli Associates, an astounding $124 trillion is expected to be transferred through the year 2048. Without proper communication and planning, much of this wealth will be consumed by legal battles rather than supporting the loved ones it was meant to help.

The tragedy is that most of these conflicts are preventable with the right planning model.

How Life & Legacy Planning Prevents These Disasters
This is precisely why I use a comprehensive Life & Legacy Planning® model rather than traditional document-focused estate planning. Documents should not be the focus of your plan - they are the byproduct of effective planning. A Life & Legacy Plan includes well-drafted legal documents, yes, but even more importantly, ensures everyone understands their roles and your wishes, preventing the kind of confusion and conflict devastating the Buffett family.

When you work with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan, we start by having heart-to-heart conversations about your goals, your family dynamics, and exactly how you want your plan to work. If you're considering naming co-trustees or co-executors, we discuss the potential challenges and ensure everyone understands their roles before anything happens to you.

I also support you to have open, honest, and loving conversations with your family members and the people you're naming in your plan, so everyone understands your values, your wishes, and how your plan is designed to work. When people understand the "why" behind your decisions, they're much more likely to work together harmoniously.

Additionally, your Life & Legacy Plan includes detailed instructions for the people you've named in various roles, and I will be there for them when they need guidance after your death. And if I die, I have systems and processes in place to make sure your loved ones have a trusted advisor they can turn to.

Finally, I maintain an ongoing relationship with you throughout your lifetime, and we will review your plan on a regular cadence. This means we can address potential conflicts before they become problems and ensure that any changes to your plan are clearly documented and communicated to everyone involved.

All these taken together mean your plan will work the way you intend - and won’t leave a big mess for all the people you love.

Take Action Today
Don't let your family become another cautionary tale like the Jimmy Buffett estate. As a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that includes not just the legal documents you need, but more importantly, the communication and understanding that will make your plan work when your loved ones need it most.

When you work with me, your loved ones will know exactly what to do when something happens to you. They'll understand your wishes, their roles, and how to work together to carry out your plan. And when you’re gone, I'll be there to guide them through the process, ensuring they have the support they need during one of the most difficult times in their lives. This gift of peace of mind is the greatest gift they could ever receive, and the greatest expression of love you can give.

Take action today by clicking here to book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call with my office:

Make sure your children are never taken into the care of strangers and will be raised by the people you want with your guidance.
Pass on your assets to the people you want in the way you want. This may include a structured inheritance for your children, so they don’t receive assets at age 18, when they’re more likely to make poor financial decisions.
Create an asset inventory that is updated over time so that no assets get lost and end up in the department of unclaimed property.
Create a Life & Legacy recording, where you share the stories, traditions, wisdom, and values that matter most to you. These are the things that mean more to your loved ones than money. And it’s the best way to pass on your love and legacy.
Review and update your plan as your life and assets change. I have systems in place so you never have to remember to update your plan. I’ll do that for you.

Your Life & Legacy Plan will also address practical realities that traditional planning ignores. How will your family access your digital accounts? How will they access your passwords? Where are your important documents stored, and how will your loved ones be able to find them quickly? These details can make the difference between a smooth process and months of frustration and confusion.

So, as you celebrate the freedoms our founders secured through careful planning and bold action, consider what freedoms you want to secure for your own family. The same courage that led to American independence can inspire you to take control of your loved ones’ future through comprehensive Life & Legacy Planning that works when you need it to.

Take Action This Independence Day
Don't let another Independence Day pass without taking action to secure your family's freedom. As a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, I help you create a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan that ensures your loved ones inherit your legacy. We'll begin your planning process with a Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ Session, where you’ll gain clarity on what would happen to your assets and loved ones if you don't have a plan or have an outdated one. From there, you’ll make educated and empowered decisions to create a plan that works the way you want and reflects your values, protects your assets, and provides clear guidance for the people you love most.

Get started today by clicking here to book a complimentary 15-minute consultation with my office:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 6/30/25 Will Christoferson 6/30/25

Life, Liberty, and Legacy: How Life & Legacy Planning Promotes Independence

Every Fourth of July, we celebrate more than fireworks and barbecues. We honor the bold vision of people who refused to accept the status quo and instead created a framework for lasting freedom. The Declaration of Independence wasn't just a document—it was a comprehensive plan that established principles, assigned responsibilities, and created structures to protect future generations.

This Independence Day, consider how the same spirit can inspire you to create your own declaration of independence for your loved ones. Just as our founders understood that true freedom requires intentional planning and sacrifice, creating a Life & Legacy Plan ensures your loved ones won't be bound by confusion, court battles, or government decisions when you're no longer here to guide them.

Let's explore how the principles that built America can help you build lasting security for the people you love most.

Freedom From Government Control Over Your Family's Future
Our founders fought for the right to self-governance, rejecting the idea that distant authorities should make decisions about their lives and families. Today, you face a similar choice. Without an estate plan, you're essentially allowing the government to make crucial decisions about your family's future through default state laws and probate courts.

Here are just a few things that could happen:

A judge who has never met you or your children will decide who raises them. This means they could end up with people you’d never want to raise them - people who don’t share your values or wouldn’t honor your wishes.

State laws determine how your assets are divided. The law was written for everyone, and so is inherently a one-size-fits-all solution. The law doesn’t take into account your wishes or your loved ones’ unique needs. It also means that someone you’d never want to inherit from you may, and your assets may not go to the people you want in the way you want.

Your loved ones won’t have access to funds when they need them. Your loved ones may wait months or years for access to resources you intended them to have immediately. This means your bills won’t be paid, your children may lose access to funds for ongoing care, or your spouse may not be able to maintain their lifestyle. If you die with a mortgage and no one is able to make the monthly payments, any equity you have may be lost to foreclosure, instead of going to the people you love most.

It’s also common for assets to get lost and end up with the state’s department of unclaimed property, because you haven’t created an inventory of your assets, including how to access them after your death - and kept the inventory with your plan and updated it over time.

The public can access your personal information. Without an estate plan, your loved ones must go through a court process, which is public. They will need to submit information about your assets and your family.

The power to choose belongs to you. In what’s perhaps a rare circumstance, when it comes to your legal planning, your choices override the law.

However, not every estate plan will accomplish what you want. Many plans fail because they don’t take into account your unique family dynamics and your specific assets. They also often fail because no one is there to make sure your plan is updated over time, as your assets and life circumstances change. Just as the Constitution is often called a “living, breathing document,” designed for longevity and amended over time, your plan should work the same way. This is exactly what Life & Legacy Planning is all about.

Creating Your Own Bill of Rights for Your Loved Ones
Life & Legacy Planning goes beyond basic documents to create robust systems that work immediately when your loved ones need them. This includes detailed instructions for your loved ones, asset inventories that prevent anything from being lost, and an ongoing relationship with me, so I can guide them through difficult transitions.

Your Life & Legacy Plan also protects future generations by including provisions for how inherited assets should be managed. Instead of leaving your children vulnerable to poor financial decisions at age 18, you can structure their inheritance to support their education, encourage responsible money management, and provide security throughout their lives.

Building Lasting Institutions That Protect Your Legacy
Unlike traditional estate planning that focuses primarily on creating a set of documents, Life & Legacy Planning is about having an ongoing relationship with a trusted advisor who works with you over time to ensure your plan works. When you work with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan, I’ll also support you to:

Make sure your children are never taken into the care of strangers and will be raised by the people you want with your guidance.
Pass on your assets to the people you want in the way you want. This may include a structured inheritance for your children, so they don’t receive assets at age 18, when they’re more likely to make poor financial decisions.
Create an asset inventory that is updated over time so that no assets get lost and end up in the department of unclaimed property.
Create a Life & Legacy recording, where you share the stories, traditions, wisdom, and values that matter most to you. These are the things that mean more to your loved ones than money. And it’s the best way to pass on your love and legacy.
Review and update your plan as your life and assets change. I have systems in place so you never have to remember to update your plan. I’ll do that for you.

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 6/23/25 Will Christoferson 6/23/25

A Texas Mail Carrier's Act of Love Shows Why Your Pets Need a Plan Too

When Ian Burke, a mail carrier from Denton, Texas, heard that Floyd—a 70-pound dog he'd befriended on his delivery route—had ended up in a shelter after his owner's death, he didn't hesitate. Burke arrived at the City of Denton Animal Shelter before it opened to be first in line to adopt Floyd and give him a new home.

It's a heartwarming story with a happy ending, but it also highlights a sobering reality: Floyd was lucky. Thousands of pets aren't so fortunate when their owners pass away without making arrangements for their care. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 5.8 million dogs and cats entered animal shelters and rescue organizations in 2024, and many are there because their owners died or became incapacitated without a plan in place.

As touching as Burke's story is, Floyd's situation could have ended very differently. What if no one had stepped forward? What if Burke hadn't heard about Floyd's plight? This story serves as a powerful reminder that our beloved pets depend entirely on us—not just for their daily care, but for their future security. Let's explore why including your pets in your Life & Legacy Plan isn't just thoughtful—it's essential.

The Reality Most Pet Owners Don't Consider
According to Burke, Floyd's owner was a Vietnam veteran who clearly loved and cherished his dog. Yet despite this strong relationship, Floyd still ended up in a shelter.

This scenario plays out across the country every day. Well-meaning pet owners assume that a family member will automatically step in to care for their animals, but this isn't always the case. Families might live far away, have allergies, rent properties that don't allow pets, or simply be unable to take on the financial responsibility of pet ownership. Even more challenging is that when families are grieving, they're often overwhelmed by legal processes they don't understand, leading to hasty decisions that leave beloved pets in uncertain situations.

Animals also grieve the loss of their owners and struggle with sudden changes in environment and routine. Floyd was fortunate that Burke acted quickly, but many pets experience weeks or months of uncertainty before finding new homes, if they find them at all. So what can you do to make sure your beloved pet is cared for by the people you want in the way you want?

What to Do Instead
You might think that simply telling a family member, "Take care of Fluffy if something happens to me," is enough, but informalities often fail when put to the test. During times of grief and stress, verbal promises can be forgotten, circumstances can change, and family dynamics can complicate even the best intentions. Without clear legal guidance and a trusted advisor who understands you and your wishes, your pet could end up in a shelter, just like Floyd.

Thoughtfully Choose and Prepare Your Pet’s Future Caregivers
A comprehensive pet plan goes far beyond naming a caregiver within a set of documents. When you work with me, a Personal Family LawyerⓇ - a trusted advisor who takes time to understand you and your wishes for your pet’s care - I’ll support you to identify the right people to care for your pet, and prepare them so they know how to care for your pet in the way you want. I can also help you have honest conversations with your chosen caregivers about expectations, financial arrangements, and long-term commitments. Additionally, I’ll help you create contingency plans, including choosing backup caregivers in case your first choice is unavailable, or selecting a “first responder” who can be immediately available in the event of an emergency.

As a Personal Family Lawyer, I will be there for your loved ones after you die, to guide your chosen caregiver with care, so they can implement your wishes, rather than leaving them to figure out what to do and how. I will help make the process smooth and as easy as possible for them. And if I’m no longer living, I’ve created succession plans to ensure your loved ones will have the support they want and need.

Consider the Practical Aspects That Are Often Overlooked
Your plan should also include detailed and practical guidance that’s often overlooked by cheap legal plans, AI, financial advisors, and even traditional lawyers. This includes information about your pet's routine, dietary needs, medical history, behavioral quirks, and preferences. For instance, does your dog have specific walking routes or dog parks he enjoys? Does your cat need medication at certain times? What treats does your pet love, and what foods should be avoided? This information helps ensure continuity of care and reduces stress for both the pet and the new caregiver.

Other practical aspects to consider include providing your caregivers information about how to access veterinary records, vaccination schedules, microchip information, and pet insurance policies. Your chosen caregiver will also appreciate having details about your pet's daily routine, favorite toys, and comfort items that should accompany them to their new home.

Additionally, consider what you want to happen when your pet is approaching the end of their life. Having clear instructions for your pet’s caregiver about when and how to make these difficult decisions removes an enormous emotional burden from your caregiver and ensures your values guide these important choices.

Finally, a critical issue often overlooked is what happens if you’re incapacitated and can’t take care of your pet. If you become incapacitated, who will care for your pet during your recovery or long-term care? In an emergency, how will they access your home to retrieve pet supplies and comfort items? These practical considerations are often overlooked, but are crucial to ensure your pet is fed, watered, and walked.

A colleague of mine once saw a man rollerblading in a local park, and at high speed, he fell and suffered a head injury. Luckily, a neighbor walked by who knew the man and knew he had a dog, and was able to get inside the house and take the dog while his owner was taken to the hospital. But what if that neighbor hadn’t been there? How long would the dog have been alone, without food or water? Would the dog have lived much longer? It’s scary to think about.

Make a Financial Plan for Your Pet’s Care
According to a report by Rover.com published this year, the lifetime cost of owning a cat or dog is estimated to be $32,000-$35,000. Given that, not having a solid financial plan can make all the difference between your pet being cared for by the right person or ending up in a shelter. When you work with me, I’ll educate you about your options so your chosen caregiver has the resources they need. One option is creating a pet trust.

A pet trust offers two main benefits: it removes or lessens the financial burden a pet may place on a designated caretaker, whom may not be able to care for your pet otherwise, and it allows you to dictate, in enforceable and detailed terms, the type of care your pet will receive. Pet trusts can also specify how much money should be spent on routine care, medical expenses, and even end-of-life decisions. When you work with me, I will educate you so you know whether a pet trust makes sense for you and your pet. If not, I’ll support you to create the right financial plan for you.

How Life & Legacy Planning Protects Your Beloved Pet
Unlike Life & Legacy Planning, traditional estate planning doesn’t take into account the personal guidance and support you need to ensure your pet is cared for the way you want. Traditional estate planning won’t provide your loved ones with guidance when something happens to you. And traditional estate planning is usually “one-size-fits-all,” meaning it may not include what your pet and caregiver need.

Traditional estate planning focuses only on creating a set of documents, like a will, trust, power of attorney, and healthcare directive (or, a “documents only plan”). That set of documents usually sits on a shelf and becomes outdated, and can fail, potentially resulting in your pet being taken to a shelter. Documents don’t provide care and human support for loved ones. And if you don’t have a trusted advisor looking out for you and staying in touch to ensure your plan stays up to date, it won’t work.

The difference between traditional estate planning and working with me to create your Life & Legacy Plan is that I build a lasting personal relationship with you, and one that extends support to your loved ones after you're gone. While many lawyers lose touch with clients once documents are signed (another feature of “documents-only” planning), I maintain an ongoing relationship, rooted in care, concern, and personal connection.

Finally, my Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ process includes ongoing reviews and updates to your plan as your life changes. I have systems in place to remind you, so you don’t need to remember to amend your plan on your own. If your pet’s designated caregiver moves away or your pet's needs evolve, we will catch it in time and adjust your plan so it doesn’t become outdated and fail. If your plan is updated when you die, your loved ones won't be struggling to figure out what to do —they'll have me to guide them through the process with care and support. And if I’m no longer living, I have plans in place to ensure continued care for your loved ones.

Take Action for Your Pet's Future Today
Floyd's story ended happily because of one mail carrier's compassion and quick action, but your pet's future shouldn't depend on chance encounters and random acts of kindness. By including comprehensive pet planning in your Life & Legacy Plan, you can ensure that your beloved companion receives the care, love, and security they deserve, no matter what happens to you.

As a Personal Family Lawyer firm, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that protects every member of your family, including the four-legged ones. Unlike traditional lawyers who create documents and then move on to the next client, I understand that effective planning requires ongoing care and attention so it works when you need it to.

And when you're no longer here, your loved ones won't struggle to understand the legal process or wonder what you would have wanted for your pets. I will be there for them when they need guidance and care. This ongoing relationship is what transforms a simple set of documents into a plan that truly works, giving you peace of mind knowing all your loved ones, even the furry ones, will be protected and cared for. With Life & Legacy Planning, you can give your loved ones the greatest gift they could ever want: your lasting love and care.

Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call and learn how I can help you create a plan that protects everyone you love:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 6/16/25 Will Christoferson 6/16/25

What Priscilla Presley's Lawsuit Reveals About the Prevalence of Elder Abuse

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and there’s a case in the headlines right now that drives home just how important this issue is. Read more…

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and there’s a case in the headlines right now that drives home just how important this issue is. Priscilla Presley, 79, is currently in court, claiming she was defrauded of over $1 million by people she once trusted. If it can happen to someone with her resources, fame, and team of advisors, it can happen to anyone.

That’s what makes her story so powerful—it’s a wake-up call. Financial elder abuse doesn’t just affect strangers on the news. It’s something we all need to understand, prepare for, and actively guard against.

Let’s look at what happened in Priscilla Presley’s case, how predators operate, and most importantly, how proactive Life & Legacy Planning can provide the protection you and your loved ones deserve.

How Financial Elder Abuse Often Begins
In Presley’s case, the allegations are chilling—but unfortunately, common. Reports claim that over the course of two years, her former business partner, Brigitte Kruse, gained her trust, gradually isolated her from longtime advisors, and ultimately persuaded her to sign documents giving others control over her finances and business affairs.

If these claims prove true, they represent a textbook pattern of financial elder abuse. And understanding that pattern is the first step toward prevention.

Here’s how it typically unfolds:

1. Building Trust
It often starts with kindness and connection. The person who becomes the abuser may shower the older adult with attention, take on the role of “helper,” and position themselves as the one person who truly cares. Presley alleges this was exactly how her former associate positioned herself—as someone who would take care of her and someone she could trust.

2. Isolation
The next phase is more subtle—but dangerous. Abusers work to distance their target from long-time friends, professionals, or family. In Presley’s case, she claims she was encouraged to distrust her closest advisors. This isolation eliminates the very people who might recognize red flags or speak up when something seems off.

3. Legal Control
Once trust is secured and isolation is in place, the final step is gaining formal authority. Presley alleges she was convinced to sign powers of attorney and other legal documents that handed over decision-making power. With those in hand, the accused allegedly drained her finances.

This kind of exploitation isn’t unique to Presley’s case. In fact, it follows a familiar—and frightening—pattern seen in countless elder abuse cases nationwide. By the time someone gains legal control, the victim’s support system has often been dismantled, making intervention incredibly difficult. That’s why understanding how these steps unfold is so important. Because while the details may vary, the strategy is alarmingly consistent—and it’s not limited to the rich or famous.

Why This Matters for Every Family
You don’t have to be a celebrity to be at risk. Financial elder abuse is happening every day in families across the country—quietly, painfully, and often without justice.

The impact is far-reaching:

Financial devastation: The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reports that between June of 2022 and June of 2023, banks flagged nearly $27 billion in suspicious elder exploitation in a single year. For families, that could mean losing a home, retirement savings, or money intended for long-term care.

Emotional trauma: Victims often feel ashamed, embarrassed, or afraid to tell anyone. Loved ones blame themselves for missing the signs or feel helpless when trying to intervene.

Family conflict: Sadly, these situations often fracture families. Suspicion may fall on the wrong person. Siblings may turn against each other. And while the family argues, the true abuser continues taking advantage.

This is exactly why early, intentional planning is so critical. But not just any estate planning will work.

The Life & Legacy Planning Difference
Most people think of estate planning as something you do once and forget about. But that “set it and forget it” approach doesn’t work when it comes to protecting yourself and your family from manipulation or abuse.

That’s why I offer planning that’s more holistic: Life & Legacy Planning. It’s a plan that works when you and your loved ones need it most—not just on paper, but in real life.

Here’s what sets Life & Legacy Planning apart:

1. Clear Documentation and Conversations
It’s not enough to sign a few documents. You need a plan that clearly states who should be in charge of your finances and decisions, and under what conditions. More importantly, your loved ones need to know what the plan says and understand how it works. When everyone is on the same page, it’s much harder for a manipulator to come in and disrupt things.

2. Regular Reviews
Life changes. Relationships evolve. New people come into the picture. That’s why we build regular reviews into your plan—so we can catch any red flags early. We also create space for your family to ask questions and get clarity if something feels off. This simple habit can prevent major issues later on.

3. A Trusted Relationship with Your Lawyer
One of the most potent parts of Life & Legacy Planning is the ongoing relationship with me, your Personal Family Lawyer®. Unlike the traditional model, where you see a lawyer once and then maybe never again, I have systems in place for regular reviews and updates to your plan. That means I’m more likely to notice if something seems strange or if someone is trying to manipulate you. If your loved ones ever suspect something, I will be there for them so they have guidance and support when they need it most.

How to Take Action Now—Before You’re Vulnerable
This kind of ongoing, trusted relationship isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a vital layer of protection. But even the strongest plan only works if it’s created before a problem arises. That’s why taking proactive steps now, while you're in control, is so important. That means while you’re mentally sharp, healthy, and surrounded by people you trust. Waiting until a crisis occurs—or until your ability to make decisions is in question—makes it much harder to establish effective safeguards.

So what can you do today?

Talk to your family. Have open, honest conversations about your wishes and how you’d want them to step in if something seemed wrong. Transparency is key.

Stay connected with your professional advisors. If your lawyer, CPA, or financial advisor knows you well, they’re more likely to notice if something seems off. Together, we can create a network of protection.

Trust your gut. If someone seems unusually interested in your finances or tries to isolate you from your family or advisors, that’s a red flag. Early action can prevent long-term damage.

How to Create a Plan That Protects You from Predators
Priscilla Presley’s legal fight is still playing out, and the truth of her case will be decided in court. But her story is already teaching us something critical: no one is immune to elder financial abuse. Not even celebrities with wealth, experience, and legal teams.

What makes the difference is a comprehensive plan that works, protecting you from possible predators.

As a Personal Family LawyerⓇ Firm, I help clients like you create thoughtful, proactive Life & Legacy Plans that don’t just protect your assets—they protect your relationships, your dignity, and your peace of mind. We start with a Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ Session where you’ll get more financially organized than ever before, learn what will happen when you die or if you become incapacitated, and then make decisions that reflect your goals, values and wishes, while protecting your assets and all the people you love.

Let’s build a plan that protects what matters most—before anyone else tries to take it from you. Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to get started today:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 6/9/25 Will Christoferson 6/9/25

This Father’s Day Take Your Provision One Step Further

Father's Day arrives each June filled with barbecues, baseball games, and heartfelt cards celebrating the dads who shape our lives. Read more…

Father's Day arrives each June filled with barbecues, baseball games, and heartfelt cards celebrating the dads who shape our lives. While ties and tool sets make thoughtful gifts, what if we turn the tables altogether and put the family resources toward a far more meaningful gift this Father's Day—one that helps dad feel confident that he’s stepping into his best self, and providing for the family no matter what.

As a father, your number one goal is likely to provide for your family in the best way you possibly can. But have you taken steps to ensure the people you love will be cared for if something happens to you? And, if you have, are those steps the right steps or are they false security that will leave your family with a mess you wouldn’t wish on anyone? This Father's Day offers the perfect opportunity to explore how estate planning done the right way becomes the ultimate expression of fatherly love and provision.

The Weight of Fatherly Responsibility
Being a father means carrying an invisible weight that never truly lifts from your shoulders. From the moment your first child arrives, you become acutely aware that others depend on you, not just for today's needs but for tomorrow's security. This awareness often intensifies as your children grow and your responsibilities multiply.

You probably find yourself thinking about questions that didn't exist before parenthood. What happens to your mortgage if you're not here to pay it? Who would handle your children's daily routines, school decisions, and emotional needs? How would your family maintain their lifestyle without your income? These concerns aren't signs of pessimism—they're evidence of the deep love and responsibility that define fatherhood.

Many fathers try to address these worries through life insurance, thinking a policy will solve everything. While life insurance certainly plays an important role, it's only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Without estate planning done right, even substantial life insurance proceeds can become tied up in lengthy court proceedings or even lost, leaving your family without access to funds when they need them most.

The reality is that the traditional approach to estate planning - or creating a set of documents that you then put on a shelf and forget about - often fails when your loved ones need it to work.

When Good Intentions Meet Reality
Consider this hypothetical scenario: A devoted father of two young children has a will, life insurance, and even money set aside for emergencies. He thinks he's done everything right. Then the unexpected happens—a car accident takes his life at age 42. His wife, while grieving, discovers that his will needs to go through probate court, a process that could take months or even years. The life insurance company requires multiple forms and documentation before releasing funds, which can take weeks or even months to gather. Meanwhile, bills continue arriving, and she's struggling to understand what accounts exist and how to access them to pay the bills.

She’s now thinking about what would happen to her children if she were also to die. Her husband’s will names her parents as guardians for the children if something happens to her, too, but she's not sure that's still the right choice given how their relationship has changed over the years. The will was written when their oldest was just a baby, and life has evolved significantly since then.

This scenario illustrates why documents-based estate planning often fails. Documents sitting in a drawer don't provide expert, human-to-human guidance for decisions that need to be made immediately. Outdated choices don't reflect the changing nature of relationships or changes in your assets over time. Court can place a weighty burden, both emotionally and financially, on the people you love most. And bills could go unpaid, putting assets in jeopardy, if your loved ones don’t have immediate access to your money.

The truth is that fathers want to protect their families, but don't know how to create plans that will actually work for their loved ones. The goal isn't just to transfer wealth—it's to transfer it in a way that strengthens your family rather than creating new challenges for them to navigate after your death.

Beyond Documents: What Your Family Really Needs
Real protection for your family goes far beyond having a set of documents in place. Your loved ones need a comprehensive plan that considers both the legal aspects of transferring assets and the practical realities of daily life after you're gone. And, more importantly, they need a trusted advisor to turn to for guidance when they need it.

Life & Legacy Planning is so much more than creating documents. It’s estate planning done the right way so that it will work for the people you love most when they need it to. Once you create a Life & Legacy Plan with me, your loved ones will know where to find important documents, how to access accounts, and what steps to take first. They will have clear instructions about everything from paying bills to handling your business interests. They’ll understand your wishes, not just about money, but about the things that matter most to them - how you’d want your children raised and what values you hope they'll carry forward, what family traditions you want to pass on, and what stories you want them to know about family members long-since passed.

Your Life & Legacy Plan will also address the financial realities your loved ones will face. How will your spouse manage the mortgage? What about your children's future education costs? How can you ensure your family maintains their lifestyle while also preparing for long-term financial security? The answers to these questions won’t come from a life insurance policy or a set of documents.

Finally, I have systems in place to review and update your plan on an ongoing basis as your life and assets change, so your plan will work over time, and so you have a trusted advisor at your side who has your back. We’ll form a relationship that will last throughout your lifetime, and I’ll be available to your family when you’re gone to guide them so they know exactly what to do.

Being a great father means more than being present for today's challenge. It means securing your family’s future and strengthening family bonds. It’s the most profound way to show your love - and the best gift you can ever give to the people you love most.

Secure Your Family’s Future Now
As a Personal Family Lawyer® firm leader, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that truly works when your family needs it most. Together, we'll ensure your children are protected, your spouse has clear guidance, and your values continue influencing future generations. Don't let procrastination risk your family's future when you can take steps now to secure their tomorrow.

Click here now to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation and get started:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 5/26/25 Will Christoferson 5/26/25

The Missing Will Mystery: How Zappos CEO’s Estate Chaos Could Have Been Avoided

After years of his estate being managed under the assumption he died without a will, a document dated March 2015 mysteriously surfaced in February 2025. This surprising twist could completely upend the years of legal proceedings that have already occurred.Read more…

Imagine this: You've built a business empire worth hundreds of millions of dollars, transformed a city's downtown area, and touched countless lives with your vision and generosity. Then, unexpectedly, you pass away—and nearly five years later, a will you may have created suddenly appears. Meanwhile, your family has been battling creditors, former associates, and mounting legal fees in a probate nightmare that has cost millions and years to manage.

This isn't the plot of a legal thriller—it's the real-life saga of Tony Hsieh, the former Zappos CEO who died in November 2020 at age 46. After years of his estate being managed under the assumption he died without a will, a document dated March 2015 mysteriously surfaced in February 2025. This surprising twist could completely upend the years of legal proceedings that have already occurred. The story serves as a powerful reminder of why proper estate planning, with regular reviews and updates, is critical no matter your age or wealth status.

Let's explore what went wrong and how a Life & Legacy Plan could have prevented such chaos.

The Perils of Traditional Estate Planning

Even if the recently discovered will is deemed valid, it raises more questions than answers. According to recent news reports the will was found among the belongings of Pir Muhammad, a man suffering from Alzheimer's disease who recently passed away. Some reviewing attorneys have described the document as having "convoluted" language and an unusual structure, though we can't know the full circumstances of its creation.

The will reportedly includes a no-contest clause directed at Hsieh's family members, meaning if any of them contest the will, they would receive nothing. It also designates charitable donations to major foundations and appoints executors that include Mr. Muhammad, whom many of Hsieh's close friends and associates claim they've never heard of.

This situation highlights a critical mistake many people make: not having a comprehensive estate planning strategy that includes proper safeguards for document storage, communication with family members, regular updates, and a relationship with a trusted lawyer. While we don't know the specific circumstances of Hsieh's estate planning process, we do know that the outcome—a will surfacing years after death, held by someone unfamiliar to many close associates, and no lawyer who knew Hsieh and could speak to his wishes—created significant complications.

A will can fail you and your loved ones when it:

Isn’t part of a comprehensive estate plan;
Doesn’t guide loved ones on what to do when something happens to you;
Isn’t easily findable immediately after your death;
Wasn’t part of a system for regular reviews and updates, to catch any potential problems before they arise;
Isn’t part of a plan that references your assets, and is updated over time, as they change; and
Becomes outdated as life circumstances change, and so doesn’t work when you and your loved ones need to call on your plan.

Have you ever thought about where your important documents are stored and who knows about them? How would your loved ones know what to do if something happened to you tomorrow? And can you be sure that your loved ones wouldn’t end up in court and conflict over something you could have easily taken care of?

The Cost of Poor Planning (or No Planning)

As a result of poor planning, Hsieh's loved ones and business associates have been embroiled in legal battles for five years. The tech mogul's fortune, once estimated at over $500 million, has been subject to numerous legal claims, many based on handwritten notes or verbal agreements allegedly made during the last year of his life when reports indicate he was struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues.

Without clear documentation of his wishes through proper estate planning and without a trusted legal advisor who can speak to Hsieh’s wishes, his legacy has been partially defined by courtroom disputes rather than the innovation and community-building he championed during his life. His family has had to manage complex business holdings and real estate assets without his guidance, while defending against claims from various parties.

The financial burden of litigation is just one aspect of this tragedy. The emotional toll on family members, the time consumed by legal proceedings, and the uncertainty about honoring Hsieh's true intentions represent incalculable losses. And all of this might have been prevented with thorough and thoughtful estate planning.

How important is it to you that the people you love be spared this kind of emotional and financial burden after you're gone? What steps have you taken, if any, to ensure your wishes will be clear and legally enforceable?

Why Traditional Estate Planning Fails

Traditional estate planning, i.e., documents you either draft yourself, your financial advisor drafts for you, or you pay a transactional attorney to create, often fails you and your loved ones because the focus is on the documents themselves. Here’s what I mean.

Most people - attorneys included - think all you need to do is draft and sign a will and maybe a few other documents, like a health care directive and a power of attorney, and then you’re done. But, as we see in Hsieh’s case, that is rarely enough. The documents are a part of the estate plan, but they are not the entire estate plan. An effective estate plan, a Life & Legacy Plan, encompasses so much more information than is reflected in a will, health care directive, or power of attorney document.

A Life & Legacy Plan works by covering what happens to your assets after you die, but also things like:

Instructions on where to find your plan documents;
Guidance on how your plan works and how the documents fit together;
Instructions for the people you’ve named in your documents so they know what to do after you die;
An updated inventory of all your assets so your loved ones know exactly where to find them and how to access them;
A system for ongoing and regular reviews of your plan;
Who your loved ones can turn to for support with the legal process while they’re grieving; and
Your spoken wishes for your loved ones, including passing along your values to the next generation.
An ongoing relationship with your lawyer, who has systems and processes built into their business to get to know you over time.

These items aren’t typically covered in a will, trust, power of attorney, or health care directive, and that’s why traditional estate plans fail. Even the rich, like Hsieh, aren’t immune.

Why Life & Legacy Planning Works

As your Personal Family Lawyer® firm, I use a proprietary Life & Legacy Planning process to help you create an estate plan that won’t fail you and your loved ones. The Life & Legacy Planning process was designed to ensure that your loved ones don’t go through even a tiny fraction of what the Hsieh family is dealing with now. Here’s what it includes.

A Comprehensive Asset Inventory With Regular Updates

I help you create and maintain a complete inventory of your assets—not just your financial holdings but your business interests, real estate, cryptocurrency, personal property, and even your intangible assets, like your values, insights, stories and experience, or content you’ve created. This inventory is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes so nothing is lost.

Regular Plan Reviews and Updates

Life changes, and your Life & Legacy Plan evolves with you. My plans include regular reviews with you to ensure your plan reflects changes in your business holdings, personal relationships, and wishes. This ongoing relationship could prevent a situation where a potentially outdated will suddenly appears years after death.

Building a Relationship of Trust

Perhaps most importantly, I build relationships with my clients AND their loved ones. Unlike the mystery surrounding Pir Muhammad and his role in Hsieh’s will, your loved ones would know exactly who I am, how to reach me, and what role I play in helping manage your affairs. This relationship extends to providing counsel during difficult times, such as incapacity or end-of-life planning.

Take Action Today

Are you ready to avoid the kind of chaos that's plagued Tony Hsieh's legacy? As a Personal Family Lawyer, I help you create a Life & Legacy Plan that ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are cared for, and your assets are preserved for the people you want, in the way you want. Click below to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn how I can help you create your Life & Legacy Plan today:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 5/19/25 Will Christoferson 5/19/25

Beyond Remembrance: How Memorial Day Can Inspire Leaving Your Own Legacy

Memorial Day isn’t just about barbeques or pool parties. It’s a day to collectively pause and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and security.

As flags wave at half-staff and solemn ceremonies unfold across the country, this day of remembrance naturally guides our thoughts toward our own mortality and the legacies we desire to leave behind.

Memorial Day offers us a meaningful opportunity to consider how estate planning serves as more than just a legal formality—it's a heartfelt expression of our deepest values, a bridge connecting past, present, and future generations, and a promise to not leave a mess for the people you love.

The Deeper Meaning of Estate Planning
Life & Legacy Planning - the unique form of planning that helps you pass on not just material wealth but the richness of your lived experience and personal philosophy - ensures that your loved ones receive their inheritance from you without becoming trapped by an overburdened legal system or losing assets you worked hard to create. This is worth so much more to them than a stack of documents you create. That’s what legacy is about.

The soldiers we honor on Memorial Day understood the profound importance of legacy. Their sacrifices weren't merely for the present but for a future they would never see—a powerful reminder that our actions today ripple forward in time, shaping lives beyond our own. Their example challenges us to consider: what values and memories do we wish to preserve? How can we ensure that what matters most to us continues to influence and inspire our loved ones? How can we leave a legacy of love instead of complication and confusion?

While most of us won't leave legacies as dramatically visible as those of fallen heroes, the impact we make through thoughtful estate planning can be equally meaningful within the intimate circle of our families and communities.

Your estate plan becomes a final expression of your life's narrative—a way to communicate what you stood for, what you cherished, and what you hope lives on through those you leave behind.

Military Heirlooms and Service Records: Preserving Tangible History
For families with military connections, Memorial Day carries special significance that can directly inform your estate planning approach. Military heirlooms—medals, uniforms, letters from the battlefield, and photographs—represent more than sentimental keepsakes; they embody personal and national history deserving of careful preservation. These items tell stories of courage and sacrifice that can inspire future generations, but without proper planning, they risk being lost, damaged, or their significance forgotten.

Estate planning done right provides the mechanism to ensure these treasures receive the reverence they deserve. You might consider creating detailed inventories of military memorabilia, complete with the stories behind each item. Who earned that Purple Heart? What battles did your grandfather fight in? What was life like during wartime? These narratives transform objects into living history and should be documented alongside your formal legacy planning documents.

Service records, too, form a critical part of this legacy planning. Veterans have access to specific benefits and protections that should be incorporated into comprehensive estate planning.

More importantly, preserving service records and perhaps even recording oral histories ensures that these chapters of family history—often characterized by remarkable courage and sacrifice—aren't lost to time.

When you work with me, I can help identify the best approaches to preserving these irreplaceable elements of your family's story.

Estate Planning as a Process for Everyone
One of the most persistent misconceptions about estate planning is that it's only relevant for the wealthy or elderly. In truth, estate planning is an inclusive process relevant to everyone, regardless of age or financial status. Just as Memorial Day is a national observance that touches all Americans, estate planning is a universal need that crosses demographic boundaries.

Think about it this way: we all have values we believe in, people we love, and stuff we are leaving behind. Even if you don't own extensive property or investments, you will either leave behind clear guidance and direction or a confusing jumble of uncertainty. You get to choose by the actions you take now. For parents of young children, your estate plan must include a Kids Protection PlanⓇ to ensure your children are raised by the people you choose, according to your values.

For mid-career professionals, it might center on protecting what you've built and establishing frameworks for future growth.

For those in retirement, the emphasis might shift toward living the last years of your life as you choose, with dignity.

At every stage, estate planning serves as a vehicle for expressing what matters most to you, making wise choices about your resources and ultimately leaving the world better than you found it.

Beyond Material Assets to Leaving a Legacy
When I meet with you, I’ll help you reflect on your family dynamics and your assets, and what will happen to everything you care about if you become incapacitated or when you die. As a result, you may realize that material possessions pale in comparison to your guidance and clear communication about your wishes. This is where I introduce the Life & Legacy Recording as a powerful component of comprehensive estate planning.

As part of my Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ methodology, I help you create a Life & Legacy Recording, where you directly communicate your beliefs, hopes, and life lessons to future generations.

A Life & Legacy Recording passes on your spiritual and philosophical inheritance. During the recording process, I guide you to share the stories that shaped your character, expressing forgiveness, offering advice, or articulating your hopes for how family traditions will continue.

Your Life & Legacy Recording also guides you to express the stories and sentiments behind your decisions, ensuring your loved ones understand not just what you've left them but why.

You can even explain the significance of special possessions—why that military medal, family bible, or piece of jewelry means so much and why you've chosen certain people as the next caretaker.

Similarly, I can also help you create a plan that moves beyond simply transferring assets to teaching responsible management of resources.

Your plan may include your guidance on charitable giving, sustainable practices, or family business values.

Particularly on Memorial Day, as we reflect on the ideals of service and sacrifice that our nation honors, I help you incorporate these values into your Life & Legacy Plan, creating a powerful continuity between past sacrifices and future possibilities.

From Reflection to Action: Taking the First Steps
Memorial Day serves as a poignant catalyst for action. The day's emphasis on remembrance naturally evokes thoughts about how we wish to be remembered and what legacy we hope to leave. Rather than allowing these important reflections to fade as the holiday passes, use them as motivation to begin or update your estate planning journey.

Start by contemplating the values and memories you wish to preserve. What stories do you want your grandchildren to know? What principles have guided your life? What possessions hold special meaning that might not be apparent to others without explanation? Take time to document these thoughts, even informally at first.

Next, consider the practical aspects of your legacy. Who would care for your children if necessary? How would you want healthcare decisions handled if you couldn't speak for yourself? Are there specific pieces of property—perhaps a family home, military memorabilia, or heirlooms—that require special consideration? How would your loved ones know what you have, where it is, and what to do with it? These questions form the foundation of comprehensive estate planning.

It’s Easy to Get Started
This Memorial Day, honor both those who gave all and your own legacy by taking the first step toward comprehensive Life & Legacy Planning. Contact me to begin crafting your unique legacy plan—one that will ensure your values, wisdom, and love continue to shape the lives of those who follow in your footsteps. In doing so, you create your own memorial—not of stone or bronze, but of true consideration of the people who will care for you and everything you are leaving behind, when you can no longer. It’s easy to get started. All you need to do is use this link to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation and learn how I can support you:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 5/12/25 Will Christoferson 5/12/25

Why Business Owners Deserve More Than an Easy or Cheap Estate Plan

If you're a business owner, estate planning websites might not be the all-encompassing solution it claims to be. If you didn’t work with a legal professional who’s looking out for your interests, you likely missed something crucial—the connection between your personal estate plan and your business documentation. Read more…

Picture this: you've just set up your estate plan using a quick and easy online DIY form or a budget-friendly legal service. Or, maybe your financial advisor drafted it for you for a nominal fee while creating your financial plan. These options promise ease and convenience and at a fraction of the cost of hiring a legal professional. The website assured you that in just 30 minutes, you could secure your family's future. You click "submit," pay the fee, or receive the documents from your financial adviser, and breathe a sigh of relief, thinking your affairs are now in order.

But if you're a business owner, this might not be the all-encompassing solution it claims to be. If you didn’t work with a legal professional who’s looking out for your interests, you likely missed something crucial—the connection between your personal estate plan and your business documentation. For business owners, an effective estate plan must include updating or creating key business documents. These elements ensure your business can smoothly transition in alignment with your estate planning goals - and that your loved ones won’t end up in court and conflict.

Why Easy or Cheap Estate Planning Falls Short for Business Owners

Estate planning is like crafting a legacy cookbook. Using an easy and cheap one-size-fits-all recipe might suit basic personal matters, but when a business is involved, customization becomes essential. Think about it: your business isn't just another asset—it's a living entity with its own legal structure, operational procedures, and relationships. It requires special handling in your estate plan.

Many business owners don't realize (and no one tells them) that their personal estate documents and business governance documents need to work in harmony. You may have created a will or trust that you’re happy with, but if your operating agreement contradicts these arrangements, your carefully laid plans could unravel at the worst possible moment. Often when it’s too late to do anything.

For instance, it often happens that an LLC's operating agreement contains succession provisions that conflict with trust documents. When the operating agreement and trust aren't properly coordinated, beneficiaries may face unnecessary legal battles after the business owner's passing. So business owners must ensure their estate documents integrate with their specific business structures. However, this integration does not happen automatically—it requires a deliberate alignment of both sets of documents.

The Critical Business Documents That Need Updating

When crafting your estate plan as a business owner, several key business documents require your attention:

Operating Agreements (for LLCs): These documents govern how your LLC functions and what happens when an owner dies or becomes incapacitated. They need specific provisions allowing for:

Transfer of your membership interest to your trust
Clear succession protocols following your death
Mechanisms for business continuity during transition periods
Buy-sell provisions that work alongside your estate plan

Corporate Bylaws (for Corporations): Similar to operating agreements, bylaws need provisions that align with your estate planning goals, including:

Stock transfer procedures that accommodate your estate plan
Management succession provisions
Emergency leadership protocols

Failing to update these vital business documents can lead to unintended consequences. Your business's place in your estate plan isn't just another ingredient—it's the main course. When these documents aren't aligned, the results can be costly and heartbreaking for the people you love most - and put your business in peril.

Real-World Consequences of Misalignment

Let’s consider a hypothetical example that illustrates the real-world consequences that can unfold when your business isn’t properly coordinated with your estate plan.

Michael was the owner of a small manufacturing company who had a comprehensive personal estate plan but never updated his corporate bylaws after creating his plan. His estate plan directed his business interests into a trust for his children, with his brother serving as trustee until they became adults.

After Michael's unexpected passing, his brother attempted to step in and manage the company as trustee. However, the corporate bylaws had no provisions recognizing trustee management. Instead, they contained outdated language giving decision-making authority to the original co-founder, who had left the business years earlier. The resulting legal confusion cost Michael’s family over $100,000 in legal fees and nearly bankrupted the business before the situation was resolved. Between the legal fees and the loss of a significant amount of business assets, Michael’s children inherited very little.

This scenario plays out more often than you might think. When personal estate plans and business governance documents aren't synchronized, the consequences can include:

Protracted legal battles among heirs and business partners
Business operations grinding to a halt during critical transition periods
Tax complications that could have been avoided
Forced liquidation of business assets at unfavorable valuations
Irreparable damage to family relationships

None of this has to happen, however, if you work with me to create a comprehensive estate plan - called a Life & Legacy Plan.

How to Create a Seamless Transition Plan

My Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ model supports you to update your operating agreement or bylaws to ensure that your interests can be effectively transferred to a trust, preserving the business's integrity and providing clear guidelines for successors. Here's how I can help:

If you have already created an estate plan, I’ll conduct a thorough review of both your estate plan and your business governance documents. I’ll look for inconsistencies or gaps, particularly around what happens to your business interest upon your death or incapacity.

Next, I will ensure that your operating agreement or bylaws explicitly permit transfers to your trust or other estate planning tools. This seemingly small detail can make all the difference in whether your wishes are smoothly implemented. If you don’t have an operating agreement or bylaws, I can help you create them.

And then, I’ll help you create clear succession protocols in your business documents that mirror the succession plans in your Life & Legacy Plan. Who will lead the company? How will decisions be made? What powers will your trustee have regarding business operations? We’ll address all this and more.

In addition, it may make sense to implement a buy-sell agreement that coordinates with your Life & Legacy Plan. A buy-sell agreement can provide liquidity to your estate while ensuring business continuity for remaining partners or loved ones who want to continue the enterprise. After discussing your goals and desires for your business after you’re gone, I’ll counsel you on whether a buy-sell agreement is a suitable option.

Finally - and I can’t stress this enough - it’s crucial to know that this alignment isn't a one-time event. As your business evolves and your estate planning needs change, both sets of documents should be regularly reviewed and updated to maintain their harmony. This is so important if you want your Life & Legacy Plan to work when you and your loved ones need it to, and that’s why when you work with me, I have systems in place to ensure your plan and business documents are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

How I Help You Protect Everything and Everyone You Love

To safeguard both your personal and professional legacy, don't settle for convenient or cheap solutions. Your business represents years of hard work, dedication, and vision—it deserves the same careful planning. When your business documents and Life & Legacy Plan work in concert, you create a seamless roadmap for your successors, minimizing conflict and maximizing the chances your business will continue to thrive.

The investment in proper planning now can save your loved ones and your business tremendous stress, expense, and heartache later. As a business owner, you want to save money and see a return on your investment. A Life & Legacy Plan is how to do that when you’re planning for the future.

Take the first step towards peace of mind for you, your loved ones, and for the business that you built. Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation and learn how I can help you create your personalized Life & Legacy Plan now:

SCHEDULE HERE

This article is a service of BC Counselors at Law, PLLC, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning® Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session.

The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.

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Will Christoferson 5/5/25 Will Christoferson 5/5/25

A Mother's Legacy: Estate Planning as Your Greatest Expression of Love

When we think about Mother's Day, we often picture breakfast in bed, handmade cards, and bouquets of fresh flowers. But what if there was a way for mom to express her love and care that extends far beyond their lifetime? This is where thoughtful estate planning enters the picture—not as a cold legal process, but as one of the most profound expressions of motherly love possible. How, you may ask? Let’s dive in and find out.

A Mother's Care Expressed Through Legal Planning

Think about how a mother typically plans her day—ensuring lunches are packed, coordinating activities, helping with homework, and keeping track of appointments. This intricate daily choreography stems from a deep well of love and the desire to see the family thrive. Estate planning follows that same pattern of thoughtful care, just on a longer timeline.

When mom creates an estate plan, she's essentially saying, "I want to continue caring for you, even when I'm no longer physically present." It's the ultimate expression of maternal care. In my experience, I've seen many mothers recognize that planning for their children's future isn't optional—it's as essential as putting food on the table today.

The important questions arise naturally:

If I couldn’t be here for my kids, who would…

Guide the children through important life decisions?
Make healthcare choices for my children, if they couldn’t make them for themselves?
Ensure my children are educated in alignment with my values?
Maintain family bonds that the children may not be ready to maintain on their own?

These aren't just legal questions but extensions of a mother's ongoing commitment to her family.

With this understanding of why estate planning matters to mothers, let's explore the specific components that make up a comprehensive plan designed to protect and nurture loved ones.

Two Basic Components of a Mother's Estate Plan

A will is one basic component of an estate plan. For mothers, it's an opportunity to thoughtfully distribute meaningful possessions and explain the reasoning behind these choices. It might include family heirlooms passed down with intention, or collections given to children who share their mother's passions. Beyond material possessions, a will names guardians for minor children—perhaps the most crucial decision a mother can make in her estate plan. This isn't simply a legal designation but a thoughtful selection of who will continue raising children with aligned values.

A trust offers mom even more sophisticated ways to extend her care. Think of a trust as a recipe with detailed instructions—just as a mother might write down her famous recipe with specific directions. A trust provides similarly detailed guidance about how assets should be managed and distributed. For instance, a mother might establish a trust that provides funds for education with specific pro visions about how the money should be used. She might include age-based distributions, ensuring children receive increasing responsibility for their inheritance as they mature, just as she would gradually give them more independence in other aspects of life.

While these two components provide a good starting point, trusts deserve special attention for the unique protection and guidance they offer —much like a mother's watchful eye continues to guide and protect long after children leave the nest.

The Trust: A Mother's Vehicle for Long-term Care and Protection

When we think about trusts in the context of motherhood, their true value becomes even clearer. A trust isn't just a legal tool; it's a method for extending protection, guidance, and values well into the future.

Consider how a mother naturally protects her children from various threats—from checking water temperature before a toddler's bath to vetting a teenager's friends. A trust offers similar protection for a family's financial well-being. Unlike a will, which becomes public during probate, a trust keeps family matters private. It can shield assets from unnecessary taxation, protect against potential creditors, and ensure that resources aren't squandered through poor management.

For blended families, a trust becomes even more valuable. Mothers in second marriages with children from previous relationships can create trusts that provide peace of mind. These legal structures ensure that both current spouses and children from prior marriages are cared for according to their wishes. Without such planning, unintentional harm might come to loved ones because the law doesn't naturally accommodate the complexities of modern families the way a mother's heart does.

Trusts also provide extraordinary flexibility, allowing mothers to address unique family circumstances. For a child with special needs, a specially designed trust can provide financial support without jeopardizing essential government benefits. For a child who struggles with financial management, a trust can provide structured support rather than a lump sum inheritance that might be quickly depleted.

Perhaps most importantly, a properly structured trust doesn't just transfer wealth; it transfers wisdom. Through thoughtful provisions and guidance letters that accompany the trust document, mothers can share their perspectives on money management, their hopes for how assets will improve their children's lives, and their vision for the family's future. Trusts can also help pass along meaningful possessions and explain the reasoning behind these choices.

Understanding the protective power of trusts leads us naturally to consider the broader picture of how a truly effective estate plan goes beyond legal documents to capture and transmit a mother's deepest values and wisdom.

The Life & Legacy Planning Difference

While standard estate planning focuses primarily on asset distribution, mothers often want something deeper—a way to pass along values, stories, and wisdom alongside material possessions. This is where my approach as a Personal Family Lawyer® attorney becomes valuable.

The Life & Legacy Planning process that I guide clients through begins with reflection on values and goals, not just assets. Many mothers are surprised by our initial conversations, expecting to jump right into discussions about homes and investments. Instead, we start by talking about what matters most, what values they hope their children carry forward, and what life lessons they want to share. It feels less like legal planning and more like crafting motherly advice for the future.

I help create customized plans that align with unique family dynamics and parental priorities. For example, if you have a family heirloom with significant emotional value—perhaps a grandmother's recipe book or collection of letters—I can help establish a trust that specifies not just who receives these items but why they matter and how you hope they'll be treasured.

One of the most powerful aspects of working with me is the Life & Legacy Interview I record for your family. This captures your voice sharing the reasoning behind your decisions, expressing hopes for your children's futures, and telling family stories that might otherwise be lost. Many mothers find this interview to be the most meaningful part of the process, as it ensures that their children will still be able to hear their guidance and love even when they're no longer present to offer it in person.

As we reflect on the profound impact a thoughtfully created estate plan can have across generations, it becomes clear that this form of planning represents one of the most enduring gifts a mother can give.

The Mother's Day Gift That Truly Lasts

This Mother's Day, as we celebrate the incredible women who nurture and shape our lives, consider that one of the most powerful expressions of maternal love is creating a thoughtful estate plan. While flowers wilt and chocolates disappear, a comprehensive estate plan continues protecting and caring for family members for generations.

For mothers reading this, consider that estate planning is not about preparing for the end of your story but ensuring that your love and care continue to influence your family's story long after you're gone. It's about making sure that the values you've instilled, the lessons you've taught, and the love you've given continue to guide and protect your loved ones.

The process doesn't need to be overwhelming or impersonal. Working with me allows you to create an estate plan that truly reflects your unique maternal wisdom and care. I will help you craft not just legal documents but a meaningful legacy that continues your most important work—loving and protecting your family—for generations to come.

This Mother's Day, consider giving yourself and your loved ones the gift of an estate plan that continues your nurturing legacy far into the future. It may not come with a ribbon, but it's perhaps the most authentic expression of a mother's enduring love imaginable.

Take the first step towards peace of mind - click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation and learn how I can help you create your personalized Life & Legacy Plan:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 4/28/25 Will Christoferson 4/28/25

The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025: What It Could Mean for You and Your Loved Ones

Have you ever worked your entire life to build something valuable, only to worry about a significant portion being taken away after your death, and before it gets to the people you love? Read more…

Have you ever worked your entire life to build something valuable, only to worry about a significant portion being taken away after your death, and before it gets to the people you love? That's the reality many American families face when thinking about the estate tax – sometimes called the "death tax." There's a legislative proposal gaining momentum that could change everything about how wealth transfers between generations. But what would these changes really mean for you and your loved ones?

Let’s explore the potential impact on you and those you love.

The Estate Tax: A Century-Old Tradition at a Crossroads

Estate taxes have been woven into the fabric of American taxation for over a century, yet they remain one of the most contentious elements of our tax system. The current estate tax applies to estates valued above a certain threshold, meaning that when someone passes away, the government may take a percentage of their assets before they reach the next generation.

Think of it this way: imagine spending decades cultivating a beautiful garden, only to have someone come in at the end and claim rights to some of your most prized plants before your children can enjoy them. That's how many families perceive the estate tax – as an additional burden during an already difficult time.

The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025 (“DTRA”) aims to eliminate this tax entirely, which supporters argue would remove what they see as unfair double taxation. After all, these assets were typically built with income that was already taxed once during the owner's lifetime. Why, they ask, should it be taxed again simply because of death?

The potential repeal brings both opportunities and challenges that deserve careful consideration. Let's explore what this could mean from different perspectives.

Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for American Families

Other than one year in 2010 when the estate tax rate was zero, the federal estate tax has been as low as 10% in the first year it was introduced (1916) and as high as 77% (1941-1976). The current federal estate tax rate is 40% on assets over $13.61 million. In 2026, unless Congress acts, the exemption will drop back to around $6–7 million per person, roughly half the current amount, adjusted for inflation, and the estate tax rate on assets passed on at death above that amount will be 40%.

For people with highly appreciated or hard-to-liquidate assets (such as business owners or land owners), the repeal could represent breathing room. The estate tax can create an impossible situation: either sell portions of the business or land to pay the tax or take on massive debt to the IRS. Either way, the family legacy suffers.

Critics of the repeal point to important considerations on the other side. The estate tax generates revenue that helps fund essential government services like education, infrastructure, and social programs that benefit all Americans. If this revenue stream disappears, that funding will need to come from somewhere else – potentially from taxes that affect more middle and working-class families.

Additionally, some economists worry about the long-term effects on wealth concentration. Without an estate tax, extremely wealthy families could potentially accumulate and transfer wealth across generations with fewer limitations, possibly widening existing economic divides.

As you think about your own situation, consider this: What matters most for your loved ones’ future? Is it maximizing the assets you can pass down, or ensuring broader economic opportunities for all? There's no perfect answer, and reasonable people can disagree on the right approach.

How the Repeal Could Change Your Estate Planning Strategy

If the DTRA passes, it would dramatically change how many Americans approach their estate planning. Let's explore what this might mean for your personal strategy:

Simplified Planning for Larger Estates: For those with estates valued above the current exemption threshold, planning could become significantly simpler. Many complex strategies designed specifically to minimize estate tax exposure – like certain types of trusts, family limited partnerships, or life insurance arrangements – might become unnecessary.

Focus Shift to Income Tax Planning: Without estate taxes to worry about, the focus would likely shift to income tax planning for heirs. This means potentially more attention to basis step-up rules, timing of asset transfers, and other strategies to minimize capital gains taxes when assets are eventually sold.

More Flexibility in Charitable Giving: Many wealthy individuals currently incorporate charitable giving into their estate plans partly for tax benefits. Without estate tax incentives, charitable giving patterns might change, allowing decisions based purely on philanthropic goals rather than tax advantages.

What does this mean for you? If your estate might exceed the current exemption threshold (approximately $13.99 million for individuals or $27.98 million for married couples for 2025), now is the time to connect with me to discuss potential scenarios. Even if your estate falls below these thresholds, changing tax laws can have ripple effects on overall estate planning best practices.

Preparing for an Uncertain Future with a Life & Legacy Plan

While the DTRA represents a significant potential change, it's important to remember that tax legislation is notoriously difficult to predict. Bills can change dramatically during the legislative process, and what passes may look very different from what was initially proposed.

Given this uncertainty, how should you approach your estate planning? Here are some practical steps to consider:

Review your current estate plan with me so we can discuss how potential tax changes might affect your specific situation.
Explore "what if" scenarios. When you work with me, we'll examine the "what if " scenarios to ensure your plan remains flexible enough to adapt to various legislative outcomes.
Consider your true legacy goals beyond tax minimization. What values, assets, and lessons do you most want to pass on to future generations?
Communicate openly with loved ones who might be affected by these potential changes.

While traditional estate planning often focuses narrowly on documents and tax avoidance, my proprietary Life & Legacy Planning Process takes a more comprehensive and adaptable approach. Unlike conventional estate plans that sit in a drawer gathering dust, Life & Legacy Planning includes regular reviews to ensure your plan evolves as tax laws, your assets, and your family dynamics change. I won't just help you create documents; I'll be your trusted advisor throughout your lifetime, proactively reaching out for updates and providing education so you fully understand what will happen to your loved ones and assets if you become incapacitated and when you die. With Life & Legacy Planning, you'll have peace of mind knowing your plan will actually work when your family needs it most, regardless of how tax laws might change in the future.

How I Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence

As a Personal Family Lawyer, I understand how tax legislation like the DTRA can impact your loved ones’ financial future. Whether this act passes or not, having a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are protected, and your plan works the way you want, regardless of changing tax laws.

Don't leave your loved ones’ future to chance or uncertainty. That's why when you work with me, we’ll start with a Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you've ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. Then, together, we’ll create a plan for you that prepares your loved ones for whatever lies ahead.

Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 4/21/25 Will Christoferson 4/21/25

10 Guardian Mistakes That Could Put Your Kids at Risk (And How to Do It Right)

Imagine this: something unexpected happens, and you're suddenly unable to care for your children. It's a parent's worst nightmare. In this situation, you'd want to know that your kids will be loved, cared for, and raised according to the values you hold dear. But have you taken the right legal steps to ensure that happens? Read more…

Many parents mistakenly believe that simply naming guardians in their will is enough to protect their children. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. There are common mistakes that can lead to legal battles, family conflicts, and even put your kids' well-being at risk. What if something happened to you tomorrow? Would your children end up in the care of strangers, even temporarily, because you didn’t have a plan in place for their immediate care?

Don't let that happen. By working with a Personal Family Lawyer® firm, you can avoid these pitfalls and create a rock-solid guardianship plan that provides true peace of mind – knowing that, no matter what, your children will always be raised by the people you love most.

The 10 Common Mistakes Parents Make When Choosing Guardians

1) Thinking a Will is Enough

A will is essential, but it only kicks in *after* you're gone. It doesn't cover situations like sudden illness or incapacity. You need separate guardianship documents specifically designed to address these "what if" scenarios *while you're still living*.

2) Planning Only for the Long-Term

If something were to happen to you today, who would take care of your kids *right now*? Don't just plan for the long haul – you also need to designate short-term guardians to prevent your children from being placed with strangers, even temporarily, while the authorities sort things out.

3) Not Naming a Guardian at All

This might seem unthinkable, but it happens. If you don't formally name a guardian, you're leaving one of the most important decisions of your life up to the courts. This could mean your children end up with someone you wouldn’t have chosen.

4) Overlooking Backup Guardians

Life is unpredictable. Your first-choice guardians may not always be available or able to step in. Always name multiple backup guardians to ensure there's a safety net if your primary choice is unable to serve.

5) Choosing Guardians Based on Financial Ability Alone

Money matters, but it shouldn't be the *only* factor when choosing who will raise your children. Your children's well-being depends on being raised in a loving, supportive environment aligned with your values. Consider factors like location, lifestyle, parenting philosophies, and the overall compatibility of your chosen guardians with your family.

And remember, you can always choose a separate financial guardian, or appoint a Trustee of a Trust, to specifically manage any money you leave behind for your children – this can be a separate role from their daily care.

6) Assuming Godparents are Legal Guardians

Many people use the terms "godparent" and "legal guardian" interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. Verbal agreements or informal designations hold no legal weight. To make your wishes legally binding, you need formal guardianship documents prepared by an experienced professional.

7) Not Thinking Beyond Guardianship

Guardianship isn't just about who will raise your kids – it's also about who will make important financial and healthcare decisions on their behalf. You'll need powers of attorney and other legal tools to ensure these matters are handled according to your wishes.

8) Failing to Communicate Your Wishes

Don't leave anything to chance. Clearly document your values, your parenting preferences, and any specific instructions you want your guardians to follow. This guidance will provide invaluable support as they navigate the challenges of raising your children.

9) Not Reviewing and Updating Your Plan

Life is constantly evolving. Your family dynamics change, your children grow, and laws are updated. It's vital to review and update your guardianship plan regularly to ensure it still reflects your current circumstances and wishes.

10) Naming a Couple Without a Contingency Plan

Relationships evolve. Sadly, even the most solid couples can face unexpected challenges like divorce or separation. It’s vital to think about what would happen to your children if your chosen guardians were to split up. Would one person become the sole guardian? Would they share custody? Outlining these details now can prevent future conflict and heartache.

There’s a Better Way: Create a Kids Protection Plan

A Kids Protection Plan® provides comprehensive protection for your children, so you never make one of the ten mistakes and put your children at risk of being raised by someone you’d never want to raise them (or worse, ending up in the foster care system). Unlike a traditional estate plan that simply names guardians, a Kids Protection Plan creates a complete safety net that addresses both immediate and long-term care needs.

Every Kids Protection Plan I create with clients includes legal documents that ensure your children won’t be placed in the care of strangers or the foster care system, even temporarily. It provides detailed instructions for emergency responders and caregivers, identifies temporary guardians who can step in immediately, and includes medical powers of attorney so your children receive proper healthcare in your absence. Perhaps most importantly, it creates a roadmap of your values, hopes, and dreams for your children's upbringing. With a Kids Protection Plan, you're not just naming someone to take your place - you're providing them with the guidance and legal authority they need to raise your children exactly as you would want.

Ready to Protect Your Kids?

Your children are your most precious asset. Don't leave their future to chance or riddled with loopholes. With a Kids Protection Plan created by my Personal Family Lawyer® firm, you can rest assured knowing that your children will always be in the most capable and loving hands, no matter what life throws your way.

Ready to take control and build that plan? Schedule a free 15-minute call with me today. I'll answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you take the first step toward securing your children's future.

Click here to book your call and get started:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here

Will Christoferson 4/14/25 Will Christoferson 4/14/25

The $700 Million Mistake: Why an Asset Inventory Is an Essential Part of Your Estate Plan

Imagine accidentally throwing away $700 million. While it sounds like the plot of a movie, this nightmare scenario has become a reality for James Howells, a computer engineer from Wales, who has now spent more than a decade fighting to recover a discarded hard drive containing the private key to his Bitcoin fortune. Read more…

Here’s what happened. In 2013, Howells mistakenly discarded a hard drive during an office cleanup. What he didn't realize until too late was that this particular drive contained the only copy of his private key to access 8,000 Bitcoin (BTC) he had mined years earlier. When he realized his error months later, the cryptocurrency had already skyrocketed in value. Today, those 8,000 BTC would be worth approximately $700 million, and as much as $848,000 at the BTC all-time high thus far. It’s very likely that Howells’ lost BTC will be worth over $1 billion at some point.

For over a decade, Howells has tried everything to recover his lost fortune – begging local officials for permission to search the landfill, offering to share the recovered BTC with the city, taking his case to court, and even proposing to buy the entire landfill. Despite these efforts, the Newport City Council has consistently refused his requests, and British courts have ruled against him, stating there is "no realistic prospect of success." As this article is being published, Howell has said he will file a case with the European Convention on Human Rights.

This cautionary tale highlights a crucial lesson for everyone who owns digital currency, and even those who do not: If you don’t know what you own, where it is, and how to find it, your assets could be lost when you die. And, especially if you have digital assets, losing what you have can be a catastrophic, unrecoverable loss. Digital assets are especially vulnerable to loss, if they aren’t inventoried and included with your estate plan.

The Modern Challenge of Asset Tracking

While most of us won't lose hundreds of millions in cryptocurrency, many people face similar challenges on a smaller scale. Our assets (only part of which are financial) are increasingly scattered and less tangible in today's digital world.

For instance, you may have:

Cryptocurrency in various digital wallets
Digital photos and personal archives stored across multiple cloud services
Online financial accounts with different institutions
Insurance policies that are accessed through your employer’s online benefits platform
Frequent flyer miles and reward points worth thousands of dollars

How are you keeping track of these assets? Are you sure you know exactly what you have and where it is? Howells wasn’t.

Now think about this: If Howells could lose an extremely valuable asset while he’s alive, how will your loved ones know where your assets are after you’re gone? Or, how will they even know what you have? If you don’t know the answer, the ramifications can be considerable.

The Real Consequences of Poor Asset Tracking

Across the U.S., approximately $60 billion in known assets have been lost or forgotten about. Bank accounts, insurance policies, retirement funds, and other financial assets regularly become "lost" when people move, change contact information, or simply forget about accounts. And that doesn’t even count the billions or, one day, trillions of lost digital assets that aren’t yet being tracked as lost.

If you don’t have an up-to-date inventory of all your assets, here’s what’s likely to happen:

Assets may be permanently lost or forgotten
Your loved ones may never even know these resources existed
Court processes like probate become longer and more expensive
Family conflict can arise when assets are discovered later
Digital assets may become inaccessible without proper password management
Sentimental items might be discarded or lost during transitions

While it’s possible some of your assets could end up in a landfill like Howells’ BTC hard drive, what’s more likely to happen is they get turned over to the government. Each state has a Department of Unclaimed Property for this purpose. And for you or your loved ones to recover the lost asset, you have to go through a process that is time-consuming, tedious - and may even result in failure.

As a Personal Family Lawyer®, I've seen families devastated not just by the financial impact of lost assets but by the emotional toll when meaningful items disappear or become inaccessible after a loved one's passing. This happens if a person has no estate plan, an outdated estate plan, or a plan that’s just a set of legal documents. There is a better way.

The Life & Legacy Planning Solution

The traditional way to do estate planning, the way most people know because they haven’t been educated, is to draft a will, financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and maybe a trust. Then, you “set it and forget it,” storing your documents in a drawer and never looking at them again. When “planning” is done this way, it often results in court, conflict, lost assets, and even irreparably broken relationships among those you love most.

But my proprietary Life & Legacy Planning process is completely different. I go beyond mere document drafting and create not only legal documents, but all the other facets that need to be in place for your plan to work, including a comprehensive asset inventory as a foundational element. Here are just a few highlights of the Life & Legacy Planning process:

Personal Resource Map

Right from the get-go, I help you create a detailed inventory of everything you own – from real estate and bank accounts to digital assets and family heirlooms. This comprehensive map ensures nothing is overlooked or forgotten. I believe this is so important that I’ll support you to do this whether you decide to work with me or not.

Regular Reviews and Updates

Life changes, and so do your assets. My process includes regular reviews to ensure your inventory stays current as you acquire new assets or sell existing ones.

Secure Documentation

I provide secure systems for documenting access information for your digital assets, ensuring your designated representatives can access what they need when the time comes.

Clear Communication Plan

I guide you in communicating with loved ones about what you have and where it's located, without compromising security during your lifetime. I’ll also be there for your loved ones after you’re gone, so they know what to do.

Peace of Mind in a Complex World

James Howells' story is extreme but serves as a powerful reminder that in today's complex world, knowing what you have and ensuring it's properly documented is more important than ever.

As your trusted Personal Family Lawyer® attorney, I don't just draft documents; I assist you in making informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love. That's why I offer a Life & Legacy Planning® Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you've ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love.

Click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more and get started today:

Schedule a Consultation by Clicking Here