The Cost of a Cheap Plan: Why “Bargain” Estate Planning Often Costs the Most

I had an interesting conversation with a potential client last week. After explaining my Life & Legacy Planning® process, she said, “This all sounds great, but my friend told me I can get a trust done for half the price somewhere else.” I hear this fairly often, and I completely understand the concern. Nobody wants […]

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

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 […]

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

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, […]

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. 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 […]

How to Protect Your Real Estate Assets

If you own real estate, chances are you have purchased insurance to protect your assets against damage or loss. But have you taken the necessary steps to protect your assets against lawsuits or probate? If you own rental properties, there is likely a nagging fear in the back of your mind about being sued by […]

The One Big Beautiful Bill: What It Means for Your Family’s Financial Future

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 […]

Awakened Planning: How to Talk About Estate Planning at Your Family Reunion

July is National Family Reunion Month and the perfect time to reconnect with family from near and far, share life’s updates, and reminisce about the wonderful memories you share together. If you’re getting together with family this month, it’s also a perfect time to talk to your loved ones about your shared goals, family resources […]

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

When Ian Burke, a mail carrier from Destin, 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 […]

Breaking the Cycle: How Life & Legacy Planning Protects Black Families’ Generational Wealth

The statistics are sobering. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, the wealth gap between white Americans and Black Americans is approximately $241,120.  This disparity didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of centuries of policies and practices that systematically prevented Black Americans from building and preserving wealth. From slavery and Jim […]

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. 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 […]