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All tagged Estate Planning
Owning property in more than one state can be a wonderful way to diversify your lifestyle or investments. Maybe you enjoy summers in the mountains and winters at the beach, or perhaps you own a family cabin in another state in addition to your primary residence. While this can enhance your quality of life, it also complicates matters when it comes to estate planning — especially the probate process.
As of July 1, 2025, South Carolina residents have a new tool for estate planning—the ability to add a Transfer on Death (TOD) designation to their vehicle titles. This simple change can help families avoid probate and ensure a smoother transfer of ownership after death.
: In 2022, the world learned that actor Bruce Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that affects speech and language. A year later, his family shared that his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare brain disorder that impacts behavior, communication, and decision-making.
Willis’ diagnosis was heartbreaking—but it also serves as a powerful reminder that incapacity can strike anyone at any time. Planning for it isn’t just smart—it’s one of the most compassionate things you can do for your loved ones.
If you’ve decided to start your estate planning journey, congratulations—you’ve taken an important step toward protecting your future and your loved ones.
But as you begin the process, you might be surprised by how many questions your attorney asks. Why do they need to know so much? Isn’t a simple will enough?
If you’ve been thinking about retirement, helping aging parents, or planning for the next phase of life, now is the time to make sure your own affairs are in order. One of the most overlooked—but most critical—steps is creating or updating your estate planning documents.
It’s easy to put it off. Life is busy, and you may feel healthy and capable. But waiting to take action can carry real, lasting consequences for you and your family.
As an elder law attorney, one of the questions I often receive from clients planning for retirement or long-term care is about annuities—what they are, how they work, and whether they’re a good fit for their estate or Medicaid planning strategy.
What if the day comes when you or your spouse is no longer able to make decisions about your health, finances, or future? Whether due to illness, injury, or age, losing the ability to manage your affairs can happen unexpectedly. In estate planning, capacity is the key factor that determines whether you can create or update essential documents like a will or power of attorney. So, how do you know when it's too late to act, and what happens if you miss your chance? Let’s explore why planning ahead is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.
