Nov192024 by Field LawNo Comments
Preventing Disaster: The No Contest Clause

Preventing Disaster: The No Contest Clause

Articles
One of the biggest concerns that clients share with me is the fear that after they pass their children, or other beneficiaries, will get into nasty fights. Oftentimes, the fights arise from undealt with familial issues and play out with one child vying to get a larger share or take possession of a beloved family heirloom. This fear is all too real a threat as we have seen countless families torn apart by horrible arguments that go against what the parents stated in their plan. In all my years as an attorney, I have found that the best way to deal with these potential problems is to cut them off before they have a chance to become a real issue for the estate. The way to do this is by…
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Oct312024 by Field LawNo Comments
Show Me the Money: Why Financial Literacy is an Estate Planning Issue

Show Me the Money: Why Financial Literacy is an Estate Planning Issue

Articles, Blog, Estate Planning
Clear communication around money is one of the biggest challenges couples face when they get married. Whether it is dealing with differences in spending priorities, budgeting practices, or relationship to money, it can be difficult getting on (and staying on) the same page. Money is one of the leading causes of divorce in America, with financial problems contributing to somewhere between 20% and 40% of all divorces. When it comes to estate planning, having open conversations and addressing concerns around your finances is critical to making sure your plan works how and when you need it to. The immediate issue for finances and estate planning is funding your trust. You must make sure all your assets are titled appropriately to ensure that your trust has authority over your estate. It…
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Oct162024 by Field LawNo Comments
Avoiding Family Division

Avoiding Family Division

Blog, Estate Planning
Leave a Legacy of Love, not Feuding Between political strife over the upcoming election, natural disasters that require immediate decisions for the wellbeing of the whole family, and economic concerns it seems that families are faced with more stress than ever before. For many, these stressors heighten the risk of family fights, especially as people make plans for their estate after they pass. As we go through life, we accumulate wealth, assets, and cherished memories that we desire to leave with the people we love most. Few things are as heart-wrenching as a dispute among family members, yet they are all too common when it comes time to distribute an estate. We expect family to be a place of love and relative harmony in our often-tumultuous world, and even the…
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