This February 1, states across America observed National Unclaimed Property Day, chosen to remind you about a surprisingly widespread financial problem: billions of dollars in forgotten assets currently held by state governments, waiting for their rightful owners to claim them.

Suddenly, you're facing a legal process you know nothing about, at a time when you can barely function through your grief. The mortgage payment is due. Bills are piling up. And everything you thought was handled has turned into a complicated mess. Understanding why this happens starts with knowing what shifts the moment someone dies.

Last week, we covered how it works when you create a trust through your will. This week, we’ll show you how a trust created during your lifetime (called a revocable living trust) functions differently, what your family experiences when you've set up a living trust, and how to decide which approach truly fits your situation.

You've probably heard that trusts help families avoid probate court and protect assets for the people you love. But here's what most people don't realize: a trust created in your will works very differently from a living trust you create today, and the difference will have a major impact on your loved ones when you die.

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 massive tax legislation known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (“OBBB”) became law on July 4, 2025, brings  sweeping changes that will affect nearly every American family. While much of the media attention has focused on the political drama surrounding its passage, what really matters is how these changes impact your family's financial security and estate planning needs.

For many people in the phase of life where they’re raising children, building their careers, and working toward the future, there’s another component constantly in the back of their minds: aging parents. How do you focus on your growing family while simultaneously ensuring your parents are supported - not only as active members of the family – but financially, as they age.

Everything you do is for your children: where you live, your job, your weekend schedules - all of it. But have you fully protected your kids, legally? Here are three steps parents need to take today:

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.

When preparing for college expenses, understanding how financial aid and estate planning intersect can make a significant difference. This article will break down the essentials of how asset ownership influences aid eligibility, offer actionable strategies to increase the chances of receiving aid, and highlight estate planning tools that can protect your wealth while optimizing support for your child’s education.