Estate Planning Information


Estate planning encompasses the growth, conservation, and transfer of an individual’s wealth through the creation and maintenance of an “estate plan.”  The purpose of estate planning is to develop a strategy that will maintain the financial security of individuals through their lifetime and facilitate the intended transfer of their property and assets at death, while taking into consideration the unique circumstances of the family and the potential costs of different methods.

All too often, we hear:

  • "I'm too young to do estate planning."
  • "All my property is titled in joint tenancy with my spouse so I don't need a will."
  • "Estate planning is only for the super-rich."
  • "Estate planning is too complicated and expensive."
  • "Doesn't the government provide for that?"
  • "We did our wills right after we got married 30 years ago and see no need for further planning."

If you seek advice and guidance with regard to your estate planning needs, please view our website and search for a the type of member that meets your needs.  As an alternative, you can search for an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) or Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) designation holder in your area on the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils website.

Featured Articles

How to choose an executor for your estate - The Pantagraph

Choosing the right executor for your estate is an important step in making sure your wishes are carried out.

Estate Planning: Catching up on readers' questions - The Times of Northwest Indiana

Q: I have a TOD deed on my house leaving it to my children. I'm planning on selling the house this summer. Will the TOD deed be a problem when.

SENIOR SCENE | Is planned giving on your to-do list? | Hot Springs Sentinel Record

Income tax deductions for certain gifts can often reduce estate and capital gains taxes by donating appreciated assets such as stocks, real estate, or ...

Epstein victims get $72.5M from Bank of America settlement - CNBC

The settlement by Bank of America comes nearly three years after JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank settled similar lawsuits by victims of Jeffrey ...

Schmidt Financial Group Releases Estate Planning Brief on Tax Treatment of Large ...

New advisory outlines considerations for inherited traditional IRAs and 401(k)s under current distribution rules. DEERFIELD, IL, UNITED STATES, ...