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# Wilson Law Group, LLC

Revocable Trust Law Attorneys in Madison, WI

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## Posts

- [Blog](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/blog/)
- [Was Your Loved One a Book Lover? Think Twice Before You Throw Them Out](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/book-lover/) - An individual’s belongings—such as jewelry, furniture, photographs, and books—sometimes slip through the cracks of their estate plan. While certain books may be gifted to a beneficiary in a loved one’s will, a book lover may leave behind other books that the family must decide what to do with. The family’s first inclination when encountering piles
- [Three Things You Must Do to Protect Your Family if You Are Recently Unemployed](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/unemployed/) - If you have recently lost your job, you are not alone! Due to inflation having skyrocketed in the United States over the past couple of years, some smaller businesses have not been able to survive the increased expenses, putting employees out of work, while many larger companies have laid off employees to reduce their costs.
- [Are You Single with a Minor Child? If So, You Need a Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/single-parent-plan/) - You have a minor child who depends on you for their survival, so you need to make sure that they will be cared for if you are ever unable to care for them. By creating an estate plan, you can address your minor child’s care and custody and provide instructions about how your money and
- [Why Can’t We Have a Joint Trust If We Are Not Married?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/not-married/) - Joint trusts are beneficial for many married couples, especially if they have a stable relationship, do not have many creditors, and live in Wisconsin where their estate is not subject to a state death tax. Compared to separate trusts, they are easier to fund, allow the surviving spouse to have complete control over the money
- [National Home Remodeling Month: How Remodeling Your Home Could Impact Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/home-improvement/) - Spring is associated with renewal, and as the weather gets warmer, many homeowners turn their attention to renovation projects. Each May, the home remodeling industry and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) celebrate National Home Remodeling Month. In 2023, over 17 million home remodeling projects are expected to be undertaken in the United States.
- [Planning a Barbecue Is Like Planning Your Estate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/bbq/) - For many, Memorial Day weekend signals the beginning of summer and enjoying warm-weather activities, including backyard barbecues with friends and family. Although a cookout may be an informal affair, planning is crucial to its success. This is true for estate planning, too. Just as preparations are necessary for a successful cookout, a little planning goes a long way to prevent a poorly designed estate plan (or no estate plan at all!) from leaving you and your loved ones in a pickle.
- [Mental Health Awareness Month: How an Estate Plan Can Help Improve Anxiety](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/mental-health-awareness-month-how-an-estate-plan-can-help-improve-anxiety/) - Roughly one in five US adults experiences a mental illness each year. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting nearly one-third of adults at some point in their lives. While anxiety can be generalized and chronic, it can also be a normal reaction to everyday stresses, such as worrying about finances,
- [Why Deathbed Planning Might Give You Additional Grief](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-deathbed-planning-might-give-you-additional-grief/) - None of us likes to think about our own death or enjoys planning for that occasion. However, if you do not create an estate plan or fail to update it regularly, you are likely setting your loved ones up for even more stress and grief after you pass away. It may add to your own stress and impede your peace of mind during your lifetime because of the uncertainty that your wishes and goals will be fulfilled. If you have not updated your estate plan to include loved ones who are not provided for in your existing plan, you may be tempted to make deathbed gifts. It may bring you pleasure to make significant gifts to loved ones because of the joy it may bring to them. However, in addition to the obvious problem that no one knows the exact time they will die and may not be able to make the deathbed gifts they intend, there are some other drawbacks to deathbed planning that you may not have thought about.
- [Nonjudicial Settlement Agreements: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/nonjudicial-settlement-agreements-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/) - Some trusts are irrevocable as soon as they are created, which means that, in general, the Trustmaker (the person who created and funded the trust) cannot terminate or modify it and take back the money or property that it holds. You may wonder why anyone would want an irrevocable trust, but irrevocable trusts can provide some very important benefits, particularly asset protection, tax minimization, and maintaining eligibility for government benefits. In contrast, Trustmakers may amend or revoke a revocable living trust at any time prior to their death, but at the death of one or both Trustmakers the trust becomes irrevocable.
- [Ways Your Will Can Be Revoked](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/ways-your-will-can-be-revoked/) - A will is a foundational estate planning document. However, according to Gallup, only 46 percent of US adults have a will. This number has remained consistent in Gallup polls dating back to 1990. If you are among the minority of Americans with this crucial estate planning document, then you probably recognize the risks of not having a will. Simply creating a will does not mean that your estate plan is complete or final. It is best practice to regularly have your will reviewed every five to seven years. In some cases, it may even need to be revoked and redrafted entirely. Usually, revoking a will is a purposeful act on the part of the will maker.
- [What You Need to Know About Beneficiary-Controlled Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-beneficiary-controlled-trust/) - Would you like to provide your children or loved ones with an inheritance but protect them from the risks that may accompany a large windfall? If so, you can create a beneficiary-controlled trust in which the person you name as the trust’s primary beneficiary has rights, benefits, and control over the property held by the trust, but with important protections. In a beneficiary-controlled trust, you can name the primary beneficiary as the sole trustee, or if you name a co-trustee, the beneficiary can be given the authority to remove the co-trustee and select a successor co-trustee if they choose. In addition, a beneficiary-controlled trust may include a general power of appointment that enables a beneficiary who is also trustee to choose the beneficiary of any remaining trust property once they pass.
- [Want to Leave Your Retirement Account to Your Minor Child? Consider These Things First](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/want-to-leave-your-retirement-account-to-your-minor-child-consider-these-things-first/) - Want to Leave Your Retirement Account to Your Minor Child? Consider These Things First Your retirement account may be one of the most valuable things you own. Many people consider naming their children as the beneficiaries of these accounts because they think it is a way of easily transferring their wealth if something happens to
- [Why You May Still Have to Open a Legal Probate Proceeding](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-you-may-still-have-to-open-a-legal-probate-proceeding/) - Why You May Still Have to Open a Legal Probate Proceeding Probate is the legal process for recognizing the validity of a person's will after their death and appointing the nominated decision maker. This person, also known as an executor or personal representative, administers the deceased person's estate and ensures that their money and property are
- [What Is the Effect of an Unrecorded Deed?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-is-the-effect-of-an-unrecorded-deed/) - What Is the Effect of an Unrecorded Deed? A deed is a legal document used to transfer real property ownership rights from one person or entity (the grantor) to another (the grantee). In many cases, this transfer occurs due to the property being sold, with the seller transferring the property to the buyer. Typically,
- [Goodness Gracious! What Jerry Lee Lewis's Estate Plan Could Look Like](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/goodness-gracious-what-jerry-lee-lewiss-estate-plan-could-look-like/) - Goodness Gracious! What Jerry Lee Lewis's Estate Plan Could Look Like Jerry Lee Lewis passed away in October 2022, leaving behind a long legacy, a large family, and a multimillion-dollar estate. Celebrities can give us a glimpse into lifestyles beyond our wildest dreams. But celebrities face many of the same estate planning issues that the
- [Estate Planning Issues for the Modern Family](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-issues-for-the-modern-family/) - Estate Planning Issues for the Modern Family As the name suggests, ABC’s TV show Modern Family depicts the relationships and experiences between a fictional extended family. Throughout the course of the series, the show addresses many issues that families deal with each day. For a close-knit family such as this fictional one, estate planning is
- [Red Flags When Hiring a Professional to Be Your Trustee](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/red-flags-when-hiring-a-professional-to-be-your-trustee/) - Red Flags When Hiring a Professional to Be Your Trustee When you form a trust as part of your estate plan, one of the most important decisions you will make is who will oversee the trust’s management when you are no longer able to manage it (also known as your successor trustee). Because a trustee’s
- [Important Milestones You Can Incorporate in Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/important-milestones-you-can-incorporate-in-your-estate-plan/) - Important Milestones You Can Incorporate in Your Estate Plan Life is full of contingencies. While some outcomes are relatively certain, other events are more difficult to predict. This uncertainty can create estate planning challenges. Because life changes quickly and sometimes unexpectedly, your estate plan needs to be flexible. You can make changes to your estate
- [Don’t Let Your Cryptocurrency Give You and Your Loved Ones Nightmares](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/dont-let-your-cryptocurrency-give-you-and-your-loved-ones-nightmares/) - Don’t Let Your Cryptocurrency Give You and Your Loved Ones Nightmares Although cryptocurrency may be one of the latest investment strategies with great potential, for some individuals and their loved ones, investing in cryptocurrency has not gone as planned. The following stories are each a little different, but they all underline one simple warning: if
- [Batman: The Masked Philanthropist](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/five-common-reasons-a-will-might-be-invalid/) - Batman: The Masked Philanthropist Among the superheroes, Batman is unique because he has no superpowers. Although he is trained in the martial arts and possesses a range of high-tech gadgetry that allows him to fight crime, Batman is entirely humpossess something that is key to his moonlighting as Batman: money. As the heir to an
- [What if I Cannot Find a Beneficiary?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-if-i-cannot-find-a-beneficiary/) - What if I Cannot Find a Beneficiary? When someone has named you as the executor of their will, or as their trustee, you are obligated to distribute that person’s money and property, according to the document’s terms, to the designated beneficiaries. (For convenience, the roles of executor and trustee will be referred to throughout this
- [Three Tips for Overwhelmed Executors](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/three-tips-for-overwhelmed-executors/) - Three Tips for Overwhelmed Executors While it is an honor to be named an executor in a person’s will, it can often be a sobering and daunting responsibility. Being an executor requires a high level of organization, foresight, and attention to detail to meet responsibilities and ensure that all beneficiaries receive the accounts and property
- [Guardianships & Conservatorships and How to Avoid Them](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/guardianships-conservatorships-and-how-to-avoid-them/) - Guardianships & Conservatorships and How to Avoid Them If a person becomes mentally or physically handicapped and can no longer make rational decisions about their person or their finances, their loved ones may consider a guardianship or a conservatorship whereby a guardian would make decisions concerning the physical person of the disabled individual, and conservators
- [Estate Planning for the Chronically Ill](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-for-the-chronically-ill/) - Estate planning for the chronically ill There are certain considerations that should be kept in mind for those with chronic illnesses. Before addressing this issue, there should be some clarification as to the definition of "chronically ill." There are at least two definitions of chronically ill. The first is likely the most common meaning,
- [Three Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes and Tragic Lessons](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/three-celebrity-estate-planning-mistakes-and-tragic-lessons/) - Three Celebrity Probate Disasters and Tragic Lessons One would assume that celebrities with extreme wealth would take steps to protect their estates. But you know what they say about those who assume... Some of the world’s richest and most famous people enter the pearly gates with no estate plan, while others have made estate planning
- [Will Our Child Have to Handle Multiple Trusts After Our Deaths?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/will-our-child-have-to-handle-multiple-trusts-after-our-deaths/) - Will Our Child Have to Handle Multiple Trusts After Our Deaths? When a married couple creates an estate plan using a revocable living trust, they have the option of creating a single joint trust or two separate individual trusts. While the pros and cons of each are beyond the scope of this article, spouses may
- [Important Questions to Ask When Investing in a Vacation Property](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/important-questions-to-ask-when-investing-in-a-vacation-property-2/) - According to the National Association of Home Builders, in 2018 there were approximately 7.5 million second homes, making up 5.5 percent of the total number of homes.[1] These homes are not only real estate that must be planned for, managed, and maintained, they are also the birthplace of happy memories for you and your loved ones. Following are some important estate planning questions to consider to ensure that your place of happy memories is protected.
- [What To Do if Your Trustee Is Unresponsive](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-to-do-if-your-trustee-is-unresponsive/) - What To Do if Your Trustee Is Unresponsive A trustee has a duty under the law to communicate with beneficiaries and keep them reasonably informed as to the progress of the trust administration. Depending on your state’s law, such duty to inform may require the trustee to give beneficiaries a copy of the trust document,
- [What is a Nongrantor Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-is-a-nongrantor-trust/) - Every trust has at least one grantor, also known as the trustmaker, i.e., the person who creates the trust. So, it can be confusing when terms like grantor trust and nongrantor trust are used. It is helpful to understand that neither of these terms refers to the existence or nonexistence of the trustmaker (the person who created the trust) but are terms that have to do with the trust’s income tax (typically not estate or gift tax) liability.
- [Things to Consider Before Accepting Your Inheritance](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/things-to-consider-before-accepting-your-inheritance/) - The news that you will be receiving an inheritance is often bittersweet because it means that somebody close to you has passed away. But you might also have mixed emotions about your inheritance for reasons that have to do with the actual accounts or property you are inheriting.
- [How to Keep Your Child’s Inheritance Out of Your In-Law’s Hands](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-keep-your-childs-inheritance-out-of-your-in-laws-hands/) - About 40 to 50 percent of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. Regardless of how you feel about your child’s spouse, you must face the possibility that they could become your child’s ex-spouse. Should that day come, the money you leave to your child could be subject to a division of marital assets. With careful estate planning, your child’s inheritance can be kept safely out of the hands of their spouse or former spouse.
- [Should I Transfer My Home to My Children?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/should-i-transfer-my-home-to-my-children/) - Should I Transfer My Home to My Children? Most people are aware that probate should be avoided if at all possible. It is an expensive, time-consuming process that exposes your family’s private matters to public scrutiny via the judicial system. It sounds simple enough to just gift your property to your children while you are
- [What Happens to My Spouse's Debts at Their Death?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-happens-to-my-spouses-debts-at-their-death/) - A spouse’s death creates a difficult and demanding time for the surviving partner. As much as you might want space and time alone to process your grief, you may have certain responsibilities related to settling your deceased spouse’s affairs, including paying off their debt. Most Americans have some type of debt. The obligation to pay
- [Can a Trust Own My Business After I Die?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/can-a-trust-own-my-business-after-i-die/) - In general, the answer to the title question is yes, your trust can own your business after you die. However, there are a number of considerations that may impact the answer to this and the following questions. One consideration is the type of business interest you own. Is your business a limited liability company (LLC), a partnership, a corporation, or a sole proprietorship? Another consideration is how your business is managed. Is your business managed as an LLC, a partnership, or a corporation?
- [Important Questions to Ask When Investing in a Vacation Property](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/important-questions-to-ask-when-investing-in-a-vacation-property/) - According to the National Association of Home Builders, in 2018 there were approximately 7.5 million second homes, making up 5.5 percent of the total number of homes.[1] These homes are not only real estate that must be planned for, managed, and maintained, they are also the birthplace of happy memories for you and your loved ones. Following are some important estate planning questions to consider to ensure that your place of happy memories is protected.
- [Do You Update Your Estate Plan as Often as Your Resume?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/do-you-update-your-estate-plan-as-often-as-your-resume/) - A resume is a snapshot of your experience, skill set, and education that provides prospective employers insight into who you are and how you will perform. Imagine not updating your resume for five, ten, or even fifteen years. Would it accurately reflect your professional abilities? Would it do what you want it to do? Probably not. Estate plans are similar in that they need to be regularly updated to reflect changes in your life and the law so they can do what you want them to do. Outdated estate plans, like outdated resumes, simply do not work.
- [Updating Your Estate Plan: How Many Tweaks Are Too Many?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/updating-your-estate-plan-how-many-tweaks-are-too-many/) - If your life or the law has changed since you signed your last will and testament (will) or trust agreement, you need to update your document. You can make updates to a revocable living trust by way of an amendment or a complete restatement of the trust agreement. An amendment updates a specific part of the trust whereas a restatement creates a new set of operating instructions for the entire trust. You might think that an amendment would cost less than a restatement, but that is not necessarily true. If you have a will, you can make small changes or updates with a codicil. You also have the option to create a new will with new instructions.
- [Don’t Have a Lot of Money? Here Are Seven Ways You Can Still Leave Your Family a Great Legacy](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/dont-have-a-lot-of-money/) - Although the word “inheritance” usually conjures up images of property or accounts with significant monetary value, you can leave your family an even longer-lasting inheritance by doing these seven things, whether or not your bank account is overflowing.
- [When Rock Legends Pass Away: The Possible Fates of Meat Loaf’s $40 Million Estate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/when-rock-legends-pass-away-the-possible-fates-of-meat-loafs-40-million-estate/) - Meat Loaf, whose real name was Michael Lee Aday, passed away earlier this year at the age of seventy-four. The singer behind 1977’s Bat Out of Hell—one of the best-selling albums of all time—experienced ups and downs befitting his larger-than-life persona. He hit bottom with his 1983 bankruptcy but rode a 1990s career rebirth to newfound financial success. The musician, actor, and producer’s net worth was estimated to be $40 million at the time of his death in January 2022.
- [Dutiful Child or Manipulator of the Elderly?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/dutiful-child-or-manipulator-of-the-elderly/) - As parents age and their physical and mental capacities diminish, it is natural for their adult children, recognizing the parents’ decreasing ability to care for themselves, to step in and help them. Often, a specific child will take over the bulk of the responsibilities such as taking the parent to doctor’s appointments or the attorney’s
- [An Estate Plan Should Not Be a Set-It-and-Forget-It Endeavor](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/an-estate-plan-should-not-be-a-set-it-and-forget-it-endeavor/) - As we all know, life happens. There is really nothing we can do about it. However, some of the most common life events can have a dramatic effect on your estate plan. If you think your estate plan is like a slow cooker and you can set it and forget it, you and your loved ones may be in for a stomach-turning surprise when it is time to put your plan into action. Let us take a look at some common life changes and the impact they may have on your already established estate plan.
- [If I Give My Home to My Child in My Will, Can They Take My Home While I Am Still Alive?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/if-i-give-my-home-to-my-child-in-my-will-can-they-take-my-home-while-i-am-still-alive/) - The short answer to this question is no. Naming your child as the recipient of your home in your will does not give them any right to your home while you are still living. However, understanding why that is the correct answer requires a little more explanation.
- [No Contribution Is Too Small](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/no-contribution-is-too-small/) -  Most Americans strive to earn a decent-sized paycheck to support themselves and their families when they go to work. Stay-at-home parents, however, work to provide valuable nonfinancial contributions to their families everyday. They make sure that the home runs smoothly and that their family members have what they need to be successful and happy. If something were to happen to the stay-at-home parent, how would the family’s needs be met?
- [Seven Estate Planning Traps Most People Miss—and Seven Questions to Audit Your Family’s Future](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/seven-estate-planning-traps-most-people-miss-and-seven-questions-to-audit-your-familys-future/) - Think back to how your life was seven years ago. Your family, your finances, your relationships, and even the accounts you use have probably changed in ways both obvious and subtle. Seven years does not feel like a long time until you start making the list. Your estate plan needs to keep up with you.
- [The Call That Sounded Like a Scam—But Turned Out to Be an Inheritance](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-call-that-sounded-like-a-scam-but-turned-out-to-be-an-inheritance/) - You’ve got to hand it to them: You nearly believed them when they said you were a partial owner of land that you inherited but never knew existed. They had names, dates, even a specific plot, supposedly with mineral rights, that you would never have been able to locate on your own. Good scam. After
- [Estate Planning Scams: What Seniors Need to Know](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-scams-what-seniors-need-to-know/) - Creating an estate plan is an important step in protecting your loved ones and ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Unfortunately, scammers know that people who want to safeguard their estates are often willing to act quickly. Even a carefully drafted estate plan can be undermined if you fall prey to
- [The Risks of an Unfinished Estate Plan—and Why You Should Complete Yours](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-risks-of-an-unfinished-estate-plan-and-why-you-should-complete-yours/) - Planning for the future, especially your own mortality, is never easy. Even when you understand the importance of creating a will or trust to protect your loved ones, finding the motivation to complete an estate plan can be difficult. Yet an unfinished estate plan is almost as risky as having no plan at all. Without
- [Estate Planning for Schoolteachers: How Your Benefits Come into Play](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-for-schoolteachers-how-your-benefits-come-into-play/) - As a schoolteacher, you do far more than teach lessons. You manage a classroom, mentor students, and juggle a busy schedule—often while balancing other responsibilities at home. But one important task is often too easy to postpone: estate planning. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. It is a practical way to protect your
- [Estate Planning Steps Every New Homeowner Should Take](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-steps-every-new-homeowner-should-take/) - Congratulations on your new home. Whether you are officially a first-time homeowner or are leveling up (or scaling back) to a space that better fits your life, buying property is a massive milestone. While you are busy picking paint swatches and unboxing the kitchen, do not forget that a new deed often means a new
- [Personal Representative Rights: How You Are Protected While Administering an Estate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/personal-representative-rights-how-you-are-protected-while-administering-an-estate/) - Being named personal representative of someone’s estate is often viewed as an honor. It means the person who created the will trusted you to handle their affairs and carry out their wishes after death. But once the process begins, many personal representatives discover that the role involves far more than distributing belongings or closing a
- [Flying Solo: Why Estate Planning Still Matters and What to Do Next](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/flying-solo-why-estate-planning-still-matters-and-what-to-do-next/) - As a single person, you may find yourself wondering who will step in to make important decisions for you if you become unable to do so or who will receive your money and property after your death. Although parents, siblings, or other loved ones may be the first people who come to mind, they may
- [Raising Stewards, Not Mere Beneficiaries: Preparing the Next Generation for Inheritance](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/raising-stewards-not-mere-beneficiaries-preparing-the-next-generation-for-inheritance/) - Steward—a term for someone entrusted with the care of something that does not personally belong to them—is commonly used in such realms as business, public service, and environmentalism. The concept of stewardship has also gained traction in finance and wealth management. Adopting a stewardship mindset, as in stewarding family wealth, shifts conversations about estate planning
- [Important Things Your Agent Under a Healthcare Power of Attorney Needs to Know](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/important-things-your-agent-under-a-healthcare-power-of-attorney-needs-to-know-2/) - Even if you are currently in good health, an unexpected illness or injury could leave you unable to make your own medical decisions. A healthcare power of attorney is a crucial component of your estate plan that allows you to designate a trusted individual (your agent) to make healthcare choices on your behalf if necessary.
- [Saving for School: Planning for Your Family’s Education](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/saving-for-school-planning-for-your-familys-education/) - According to the College Board, the average tuition and fees for the 2025–2026 academic year are $11,950 for a four-year in-state public institution; $31,880 for a four-year out-of-state public institution; $45,000 for a four-year nonprofit private institution; and $4,150 for a two-year public institution. If postsecondary education is in your family’s future, the following tools
- [Your Legacy in Living Color](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/your-legacy-in-living-color/) - There is a famous scene in The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy steps into the magical Land of Oz and is transported from a black-and-white world to a Technicolor one. The phrase in living color originates from TV and film advertising in the mid-20th century, when black-and-white imagery was standard and color television was a
- [Celebrate Your Life Your Way: How to Make Funerals and Memorials Meaningful](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/celebrate-your-life-your-way-how-to-make-funerals-and-memorials-meaningful/) - Many people have a childhood memory of somebody close to them passing away. Whether the deceased was a parent or grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or a family friend, it may have been their first real encounter facing grief or attending a funeral. That experience may have left a lasting impression, influencing what you want—or
- [The Hidden Gender Gap in Estate Planning—and How to Close It](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-hidden-gender-gap-in-estate-planning-and-how-to-close-it/) - You have probably heard of the gender pay gap. But there is also another common disparity: the estate planning gender gap. Although the two are interrelated to some extent—earning less than men puts women on an unequal path to investment and retirement savings, and women generally spend more than men on healthcare in retirement—the specific
- [How to Own Your Real Estate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-own-your-real-estate-2/) - Your real estate encompasses not only your primary residence but also any vacation homes, rental properties, or even vacant land you may own. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of property and your individual circumstances. Your Primary Residence How you own your primary residence affects your control over it while you
- [Talking to Aging Parents About Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/talking-to-aging-parents-about-estate-planning/) - Beyond the practical purpose of transferring assets and reducing taxes, an estate plan reflects love, responsibility, and values. That emotional heaviness may be part of why many families avoid the subject. Only about 3 in 10 US adults have created a basic estate plan (a will and a living will or advance directive), and most
- [Estate Planning Tips for Someone Facing Major Surgery](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-tips-for-someone-facing-major-surgery/) - Receiving news that you need major surgery is never easy. Preparing for work absences, planning for childcare and household responsibilities, and understanding the procedure itself and your recovery timeline may be among the things you are worried about. If you have only a short time (weeks or days) to react, focusing on the essentials is
- [Estate Planning as a Love Language: Protecting Those Who Depend on You](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-as-a-love-language-protecting-those-who-depend-on-you/) - We all have different ways of giving and receiving love, and those preferences can reveal a great deal about us. You may be the type who expresses love with words, telling people you care about them or crafting carefully worded messages for someone when they need encouragement. Or maybe you prefer physical affection such as
- [Why Receiving an Inheritance Changes Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-receiving-an-inheritance-changes-your-estate-plan-2/) - Receiving an inheritance can be a meaningful and transformative experience, but it can also create challenges if not handled thoughtfully. Without a clear plan, an inheritor may struggle to manage newly acquired assets, face creditor or tax issues, or lack the financial experience needed to preserve and grow what was left to them. A well-designed
- [When Your Parent Plans to Disinherit Your Sibling](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/when-your-parent-plans-to-disinherit-your-sibling/) - Your parent has made the difficult decision to omit your brother or sister from their estate plan. While this decision will undoubtedly land heavily on your sibling, the decision also places you in a complicated position. As the child who was not cut out of the estate plan, you may find yourself in an especially
- [Why Retirement Is the Right Time to Revisit Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-retirement-is-the-right-time-to-revisit-your-estate-plan/) - Retirement can mean many different things to different people. For some, it opens up a new world of travel, experiences, and creative pursuits. For others, it may herald quiet days at home with a good book, a steaming mug of tea or coffee, and no other plans for weeks. Between those extremes are countless ways
- [Passing Along a Benefit, Not a Burden: Why Planning for Absence and Incapacity Is Indispensable for Business Owners](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/passing-along-a-benefit-not-a-burden-why-planning-for-absence-and-incapacity-is-indispensable-for-business-owners/) - As a business owner, you have likely considered establishing an estate plan to ensure your company’s continued success after your passing. However, comprehensive estate planning also addresses what will happen if you become mentally incapacitated (unable to manage your affairs) due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline, or if you need to be away from
- [Retirement Planning for Business Owners](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/retirement-planning-for-business-owners/) - Many employees save for retirement by participating in their employer’s 401(k) plan and maybe even opening an individual retirement account (IRA) or Roth IRA for additional savings. As a business owner, planning for retirement requires more effort, foresight, and strategy. In addition to navigating the wide range of retirement account options available to business owners,
- [Avoid Living Probate: How to Keep Guardians and Conservators Out of Your Estate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/avoid-living-probate-how-to-keep-guardians-and-conservators-out-of-your-estate/) - While many proactive individuals understand the importance of having a comprehensive estate plan, they often assume that their plan addresses only what happens after they pass away. However, a comprehensive estate plan is also meant to positively impact your life by planning for and providing necessary protections while you are still around to reap the
- [Committed, Protected, Prepared: Estate Planning Tips for Unmarried Partners](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/committed-protected-prepared-estate-planning-tips-for-unmarried-partners/) - More couples than ever are building deep, lasting relationships without ever walking down the aisle. Whether by choice, circumstance, or principle, many Americans are opting out of marriage—but not out of commitment. Data indicates that cultural norms regarding marriage in the United States have undergone significant shifts over the past several decades. Consider the following:
- [Mission Accomplished: Your Guide to Veterans’ Planning Essentials](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/mission-accomplished-your-guide-to-veterans-planning-essentials/) - Joining the military often sets individuals on a path that is distinctly different from pursuing higher education or entering the civilian workforce. Every year around Veterans Day, we honor the sacrifices of those who have served our country. However, we do not always pause to consider the unique experiences and challenges Veterans face when their
- [Wondering Whether You Need to Update Your Estate Plan? You Do. Here Is Why.](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wondering-whether-you-need-to-update-your-estate-plan-you-do-here-is-why/) - Since creating your estate plan, have you thought about updating it? If you are like most people, probably not. However, the carefully thought-out plan you created years ago may not meet your current goals or family circumstances. To put things in perspective, consider a family that may sound similar to yours. Meet the Kendricks Bill
- [Foster Children in an Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/foster-children-in-an-estate-plan/) - A foster child may come into your life through the court system, an agency, or your own extended family. However it begins, the relationship can grow into something deeply personal, with the unshakable feeling that this child is yours. However, the law does not always see the relationship that way with regard to inheritance. If
- [Estate Planning Truths: Debunking Common Misconceptions](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-truths-debunking-common-misconceptions/) - Estate planning often feels complex, leading many people to rely on assumptions that can have devastating consequences for their loved ones and their legacy. From who can make decisions for you to whether you need an estate plan, common myths can stand between you and a secure future. Let’s debunk these widespread misconceptions and reveal
- [What to Do After a Loved One Dies](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-to-do-after-a-loved-one-dies/) - If you have been named the person responsible for settling a deceased loved one’s affairs, commonly called a personal representative (if your loved one had no estate plan or had a will) or a successor trustee (if they had a trust), you may find yourself overwhelmed by grief and a growing list of responsibilities. As
- [12 Estate Planning Blunders You Cannot Afford to Make](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/12-estate-planning-blunders-you-cannot-afford-to-make/) - Many people believe that a simple will is all they need to accomplish their goals for the future. However, a flawed estate plan can create just as many headaches, heartaches, and expenses for your loved ones as having no plan. Life changes, laws evolve, and even the best intentions can fall short, leaving family members
- [Help! This Probate Is Taking Forever!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/help-this-probate-is-taking-forever-2/) - After a loved one dies, their money and property that goes through probate must be distributed to the people legally entitled to it, either according to a last will and testament (also called a will) or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its intestacy statute). While most people want the settlement process done as
- [While You Are Working on Your Golf Game, Don’t Forget to Work on Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/while-you-are-working-on-your-golf-game-dont-forget-to-work-on-your-estate-plan/) - The course stretches out around you, lush and perfectly manicured. You step up to the ball, take a few practice swings, and inhale the morning air. It is a shot you have made hundreds of times. But years of playing golf have taught you that there is no guarantee you will hit it right this
- [What to Do When You Do Not Own What You Think You Own](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-to-do-when-you-do-not-own-what-you-think-you-own/) - Imagine the following scenario: You have been living in a house for years. As your mother’s sole heir, you inherited it from her when she passed away. You pay the taxes and insurance. You make the repairs and mow the lawn. You call it home, and everyone in the family calls it “yours.” However, when
- [Does Treating Your Children Fairly Mean Unequal Inheritances?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/does-treating-your-children-fairly-mean-unequal-inheritances/) - When thinking through their estate plan and how they want their assets (money and property) managed after they pass away, most parents wish to treat their children equally, often out of a sense of fairness. However, sometimes being fair or doing what is right by your children may mean giving unequal inheritances. The Key Takeaways
- [Undoing an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust: Options and Alternatives in a Changing Estate Tax Landscape](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/undoing-an-irrevocable-life-insurance-trust-options-and-alternatives-in-a-changing-estate-tax-landscape/) - The irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) has long been a staple of estate planning. This tool is designed to hold life insurance policies and remove the death benefit proceeds from an individual’s taxable estate (meaning that the value is not subject to estate tax) while also providing liquidity to cover estate taxes, the deceased person’s
- [How to Minimize the (Voluntary) Federal Estate Tax with Portability](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-minimize-the-voluntary-federal-estate-tax-with-portability/) - Most people may be surprised to learn that the federal estate tax is considered by some to be voluntary. Estate planning attorneys used to say, “You only pay if you do not plan.” The relatively recent introduction of portability provides yet another planning tool available to married couples to minimize or eliminate estate taxation. Portability
- [The Deaths of Gene Hackman and His Wife](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-deaths-of-gene-hackman-and-his-wife/) - When investigators entered the home of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Machiko Arakawa, in a gated community outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, 2025, they found the couple dead under mysterious circumstances. Following their investigation, authorities pieced together a timeline of the couple’s last days, indicating that a period of
- [Want To Disinherit Someone? This Is What You Need To Know](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/want-to-disinherit-someone-this-is-what-you-need-to-know/) - Disinheritance—the intentional exclusion of a family member, usually a child or spouse, from receiving part of your estate after your death—is more common than you might think. It is also easier than you might think to disinherit a loved one, with a couple of notable exceptions. However, it is not as simple as omitting someone’s
- [Three Estate Planning Mistakes Farmers and Ranchers Make—and How to Avoid Them](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/three-estate-planning-mistakes-farmers-and-ranchers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them/) - Farming and ranching is more than just a livelihood; it is about preserving a legacy and a way of life. Unfortunately, many farmers and ranchers fail to create a comprehensive estate plan—or any estate plan at all. Without a proper estate plan, the family farm or ranch, passed down for generations, can end up being
- [5 Reasons Uncle Bill May Not Make a Good Trustee](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/5-reasons-uncle-bill-may-not-make-a-good-trustee/) - If you have created a trust that you intend to last for decades, choosing the right trustee is critical to ensuring the trust’s longevity and ultimate success. Initially, you may think that a family member (for example, Uncle Bill to your children, who are the initial beneficiaries of your trust) will be the best
- [How an Inheritance Can Enhance Your Loved One’s Educational Experience](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-an-inheritance-can-enhance-your-loved-ones-educational-experience/) - A primary goal of estate planning is to financially provide for your loved ones. One way to ensure that they are set up for lifelong success is with an inheritance that pays for their education. Higher levels of education are positively correlated with better life outcomes, including improved health, longer lifespans, and higher incomes.[1] However,
- [Ways to Keep a Loved One’s Memory Alive After They Pass](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/ways-to-keep-a-loved-ones-memory-alive-after-they-pass/) - When somebody close to us passes away, we are left with constant reminders of them. Maybe it is a jacket hanging in the closet that still bears the scent of their cologne, a dog-eared book on their nightstand, their handwriting on a scrap of paper, a bench where they sat and fed the ducks, or
- [4 Tips to Avoid a Will or Trust Contest](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/4-tips-to-avoid-a-will-or-trust-contest/) - Fighting over provisions in your will or trust can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your financial legacy, and tear your loved ones apart. However, with proper planning, you can help your family avoid a potentially disastrous fight. If you are concerned about challenges to your estate plan, consider the following: Do not attempt do-it-yourself
- [Should I Include My Unborn Child in My Estate Plan?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/should-i-include-my-unborn-child-in-my-estate-plan/) - Estate planning is an exercise in anticipating potential future events that could affect your plans for what happens if you become incapacitated (unable to manage your own affairs during your lifetime) and how your assets (property and accounts) will be handled after your death. The more you plan for what life might throw at you,
- [The Wrong Successor Trustee Can Derail Your Final Wishes](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-wrong-successor-trustee-can-derail-your-final-wishes/) - Many estate plans contain revocable living trusts that will become irrevocable (cannot be easily changed or terminated) when the trustmaker dies. Such trusts may benefit the surviving spouse during their lifetime and may continue for the benefit of several additional generations. Because these trusts can be designed to span multiple decades, it is crucial to
- [Where Is the Best Place to Store Your Original Estate Planning Documents?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/where-is-the-best-place-to-store-your-original-estate-planning-documents/) - Estate planning attorneys are often asked where original estate planning documents—wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives—should be stored for safekeeping. While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, consider the following: Should you store your original estate planning documents in your safe deposit box? Some people believe that the
- [3 Asset Protection Tips You Can Use Now](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/3-asset-protection-tips-you-can-use-now/) - A common misconception is that only wealthy individuals and people in high-risk professions, such as doctors or lawyers, need an asset protection plan. However, anyone can be sued. A car accident, foreclosure, unpaid medical bills, or an injured tenant can result in a monetary judgment that could crush your finances. What Is Asset Protection
- [The Trust Protection Myth: Your Revocable Trust Protects Against Lawsuits](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-trust-protection-myth-your-trust-protects-against-lawsuits/) - Many people believe that once they set up a revocable living trust and change the ownership of their accounts and property from themselves as individuals to their trust, those accounts and property are protected from lawsuits. This is not true. While trusts commonly protect a beneficiary’s inheritance, few trusts protect assets (accounts and property)
- [AB Trusts - Do You Need to Get Rid of Yours?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/ab-trusts-do-you-need-to-get-rid-of-yours/) - If the last time you and your spouse updated your estate plan was more than a decade ago, your estate plan may contain what is sometimes referred to as AB trust planning, which, until 2011, was the only way married couples could take advantage of both spouses’ federal estate tax exemptions. An AB trust
- [Planning for the Unthinkable: Essential Tools for Parents of Minor Children](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/planning-for-the-unthinkable-essential-tools-for-parents-of-minor-children/) - Approximately three-fourths of Americans do not have a basic will.[1] Many of the same people also have children under the age of 18, which underscores a major misunderstanding about estate plans: They can accomplish much more than just handling financial assets (money, accounts, and property). One of the most important estate plan functions for parents
- [How to Give Real Property to a Loved One at Your Death Without Probate Court Involvement](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-give-real-property-to-a-loved-one-at-your-death-without-probate-court-involvement/) - A home is often one of the most important assets that people own. Therefore, most people want to stay in their home until they die and then have a loved one receive it. One common way to pass a home to loved ones is through a will. However, transferring property with a will requires probate,
- [Who Needs an Estate Plan?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/who-needs-an-estate-plan/) - If you are reading this, you need an estate plan. Why? The short answer is that everyone age 18 and older needs an estate plan. It does not matter whether you are old or young, have built up considerable wealth or are just entering adulthood—you need a written plan to control what happens to the
- [Handling a Loved One’s Debts After They Die](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/handling-a-loved-ones-debts-after-they-die/) - Americans are, quite literally, getting buried in debt, with nearly half expecting to pass away with outstanding debts.1 As a general rule, a person’s debts do not go away when they die. Some types of debt, such as federal student loans, are typically forgiven upon the debtor’s death, but private loans and cosigned accounts may
- [Estate Planning for Collectors and Hobbyists](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-for-collectors-and-hobbyists/) - Americans often prefer to stay busy. When we are not working, many of us turn to hobbies to keep us engaged and productive. We spend hours each day on our hobbies and leisure activities. Over the course of a lifetime, this time adds up to a significant investment. Our hobbies, passion projects, and pursuits may
- [Does Your Revocable Living Trust Reduce Your Federal Estate Tax Bill?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/does-your-revocable-living-trust-reduce-your-federal-estate-tax-bill/) - Many believe that once they set up and fund a revocable living trust, property held in the trust will completely avoid federal estate taxes after they die. In reality, a living trust does not provide any unique estate tax avoidance strategies. The primary mechanisms for reducing estate taxes—the unlimited marital deduction and the charitable deduction—apply
- [Estate Planning Basics for Newlyweds: How to Prepare for the Unexpected](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-basics-for-newlyweds/) - Getting married is a special time in your life; you may have a beautiful wedding, a fun reception (with a delicious cake and special gifts), and a romantic honeymoon. It is also the right time for you and your new spouse to plan for your future—for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.
- [Four Steps to Stop Mail Addressed to a Deceased Person](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/four-steps-to-stop-mail-addressed-to-a-deceased-person/) - Once you have been appointed the executor or personal representative of a deceased loved one’s probate estate, or when you step in as the successor trustee of the loved one’s trust, one of the first things you should do is to notify the post office of the death and ask them to forward the deceased
- [HIPAA: An Overview for Young Adults](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/hipaa-an-overview-for-young-adults/) - The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was enacted to provide guidelines to the healthcare industry for protecting patient information and preserving privacy. This is usually a nonissue for minors because parents, as legal guardians, generally have access to their children’s medical information, make most of their medical decisions, and pay
- [Be Careful Relying on Life Insurance to Provide for Loved Ones](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/relying-on-life-insurance/) - In an estate plan, life insurance can be used as a source of immediate liquidity for beneficiaries by offering a tax-free, lump-sum payment upon the insured’s death. About half of Americans have a life insurance policy. The primary reason people purchase life insurance is to fund burial and other final expenses. However, a policy can
- [First Step in Adulthood: Choosing the Right Decision-Makers](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/choosing-the-right-decision-makers/) - Being an adult comes with freedom and responsibility. You can now make important decisions on your own without consulting your parents or guardians. While this may feel incredibly liberating, it is not without some scary moments. As an adult, you are in charge of yourself. If you cannot act on your own behalf, there is
- [Enriching Life with a Third-Party Special Needs Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/third-party-special-needs-trust/) - A special needs trust (SNT) allows an individual to provide for a beneficiary without jeopardizing the beneficiary’s eligibility for needs-based government benefits. SNT funds can generally be used to pay for almost anything that falls outside the basic support that programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid provide. This includes many goods, services,
- [Have You Checked Your Beneficiary Designations Lately?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/beneficiarydesignations/) - You regularly check the balances of your retirement, bank, and investment accounts. But when was the last time you checked the beneficiary designations on these accounts (and really, all the other accounts that allow you to name a beneficiary)? It may have been years since you first opened an individual retirement account, bought a life
- [How Do I Create an Estate Plan with an Only Child?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estateplanningonlychild/) - Raising an only child can sometimes present unique challenges for both the child and the parents, especially in the area of estate planning. In some ways, having one child simplifies the process. However, leaving your entire estate to them and making them the sole decision-maker for all the roles in your estate plan may not
- [How to Pick a Trustee, Personal Representative, and Agent under a Power of Attorney](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/howtopicktrusteerepandagent/) - While the term fiduciary is a legal term with a rich history, it generally means someone who is legally obligated to act in another person’s best interest. Trustees, personal representatives, and agents are examples of fiduciaries. When you select people to fill these roles in your estate plan, you are picking one or more people
- [Should Your Child’s Guardian and Trustee Be the Same Person?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/guardianandtrusteethesame/) - If you have overheard any estate planning discussions, you have likely heard the words “guardian” or “trustee.” In estate planning, deciding who will ultimately be tasked with caring for your minor child or managing funds for their benefit is an important decision that requires consideration of many factors. Although there is no substitute for you
- [What to Do with Grandma’s Ring: Dividing Personal Property in an Estate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/grandmasringpersonalproperty/) - If you have a beloved late grandmother, many images and memories may come to mind when you reminisce about her. You might picture her at her home or at the family vacation house during the holidays. Your memory could be a special meal that only she prepared for you or a place she took you
- [Will My Revocable Living Trust Avoid Probate? It Depends.](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/will-my-revocable-living-trust-avoid-probate-it-depends/) - If you have established a revocable living trust (which we will refer to simply as a trust), congratulations! You are on the right track in creating a comprehensive estate plan. However, you are only halfway there. Many people believe that because they took the time to create a trust, their estate will automatically avoid probate,
- [What Is a General Power of Appointment?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/generalpowerofappointment/) - Your family, the economy, the law, and society can change rapidly and unexpectedly, affecting your best-laid estate plans in unpredictable ways. To achieve your estate planning goals, you need a plan that can keep up with the changes. And few estate planning tools provide more flexibility than a general power of appointment. You cannot see
- [3 Ways to Manage the Cost of Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/managingcostofestateplan/) - You may think creating a simple estate plan should be easy and something you can do independently. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Estate planning laws vary greatly from state to state, can sometimes be complicated, and constantly change. An experienced estate planning attorney stays informed about these nuances and changes, so you do not
- [Did you or a Loved one Make any of These Five Critical Estate Planning Mistakes?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/did-you-or-a-loved-one-make-any-of-these-five-critical-estate-planning-mistakes/) - Sadly, most Americans are indifferent to estate planning or completely ignore the issue. When it comes to estate planning, however, there are just some mistakes that you cannot afford to make. Below are five of the most critical estate planning mistakes. Not having any estate plan. This is the biggest mistake, especially among younger professionals
- [Why Receiving an Inheritance Changes Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-receiving-an-inheritance-changes-your-estate-plan/) - Receiving an inheritance is a huge blessing but, if not handled properly, can also become a curse. Often times, the inheritor does not know what to do with the new asset and runs into financial trouble, squandering most, if not all of it. This could happen due to the inheritor having outstanding creditor issues or
- [Can Someone Else Pay for My Estate Plan?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/cansomeoneelsepay/) - Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. Every adult should have an estate plan, yet surprisingly, most Americans do not. The perceived cost of creating one is among the most cited reasons for a lack of estate planning. The consequences of not having an estate plan can become more costly in the event of
- [Things to Consider When a Parent Is Out of Town](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/parentoutoftown/) - Your estate plan may include powers of attorney that allow a trusted person to act on your behalf and advocate for you with regard to medical and financial matters when you cannot do so yourself. But do you have a similar document in place that gives someone the authority to care for your minor children
- [Pros and Cons of Naming Many Residuary Beneficiaries in a Will or Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/namingresiduarybeneficiaries/) - You have meticulously created your estate plan to ensure that it includes and addresses all of your most important assets (accounts and property). You have reviewed your asset list repeatedly, and everything seems to be accounted for. But what if you have forgotten something? Americans own a lot of stuff. Taking stock of your tangible
- [Can I Leave My Spouse Out of My Estate Plan?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/spouseestateplanning/) - The relationship between spouses is special in all contexts, not the least of which is the estate planning context. In many instances, you can exclude people from your estate plan, including your parents, siblings, and adult children. But there are special protections built into the law that may help protect a spouse from being disinherited.
- [A Trust for Fluffy or Fido? Why Every Pet Parent Needs to Consider a Pet Trust Today](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/considerapettrust/) - Estate planning is about protecting what is important to you. Although much of the traditional estate planning conversation focuses on surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, and charities, many pet parents wonder what could happen to their “furry children” after their death. Enter the pet trust. This tool is something that can be easily incorporated into a
- [Why Snow White’s Father Should Have Had an Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/snowwhitefatherestateplan/) - Many of us are familiar with the story of Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Central to the story is the relationship between Snow White and her stepmother. After losing his wife, the king decided to marry again to provide a motherly influence for his daughter, Snow White. While things were peaceful for a while,
- [How Trusts Have Helped Athletes](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-trusts-have-helped-athletes/) - Estate planning is not just about what happens when you die. Proper estate planning takes into consideration all aspects of your life and how to protect your accounts and property so that you can receive the maximum use and enjoyment during your life as well as protect whatever you choose to leave to your loved
- [Spring Cleaning: Time to Clean Up Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/spring-cleaning-time-to-clean-up-your-estate-plan/) - Your estate plan, like your home, periodically needs a thorough polishing. Your life circumstances are constantly changing, and an estate plan that perfectly met your needs a couple of years ago may now be cluttered with outdated provisions or documents. With spring fast approaching, now is the time to dust off your estate plan to
- [Things To Know When Planning For An Addicted Loved One](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/protectingaddictedlovedone/) - It has been said that the only thing harder than being an addict is loving one. Having someone in your life who struggles with substance abuse is never easy, no matter the circumstances, the relationship, or their age. Estate planning often involves dealing with difficult situations. Putting off thinking about these decisions is not the
- [Estate Planning Is About Knowing Your Priorities](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-is-about-knowing-your-priorities/) - Thinking about the world and how our loved ones will fare after we pass away can be very difficult. Although we all know that we will pass away at some point, this is not something most people like to dwell on. However, by proactively planning and prioritizing your goals, you can craft an estate plan
- [To The Millennials: The Time To Plan Is Now](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/millennialsplansnow/) - As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and addresses the things
- [Corporate Transparency Act Update](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/corporate-transparency-update/) - Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which took effect January 1, 2024, many business entities including small limited liability companies (LLCs) and partnerships are required to file reports with the Treasury Department’s Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN). In these filings, applicable businesses must disclose important information about their entity. However, recent developments have called into
- [What You Can Learn from the Leno Conservatorship Proceedings](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-you-can-learn-from-the-leno-conservatorship-proceedings/) - When most people think about creating an estate plan, they usually focus on what will happen when they die. They typically do not consider what their wishes would be if they were alive but unable to manage their own affairs (in other words, if they are alive but incapacitated). In many cases, failing to plan
- [Wrongful Death And Probate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wrongfuldeathprobate/) - Wrongful death lawsuits and probate proceedings are both civil legal matters that occur after somebody has died. When the death of a loved one is caused by another individual or entity, it can lead to the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit and, ultimately, the awarding of compensation to surviving family members. Probate is a
- [Navigating The Fiscal Year 2025 Greenbook: Key Trust And Estate Tax Proposals](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/2025greenbook/) - The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released its General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Revenue Proposals. Commonly referred to as the Greenbook, this document lays out tax proposals that would support President Biden’s policy priorities if he is reelected to a second term. A major focus of this year’s Greenbook is increasing
- [What Does SECURE 2.0 Have to Do with 529 Plans](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/secure2-0with529plans/) - By now, you have likely heard about the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023). These pieces of legislation were created to encourage Americans to save for retirement and provide additional rules about how retirement accounts
- [What Can I Not Do As Trustmaker And Trustee Of A Revocable Living Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/whatcaninotdo/) - Wills and living trusts are two of the most fundamental estate planning documents. While both accomplish the same primary objective in an estate plan of directing the distributions of your money and property to your desired beneficiaries after you pass away, a revocable living trust, often referred to simply as a living trust or an
- [What Happens to An Adult Child Living at Home When Their Parents Pass Away?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/homewithadultchild/) - Today more young adults are living at home with their parents than at any time since the 1940s. While there are many different opinions about this trend and the cause of its recent prevalence, the primary motivation for young adults staying at home with their parents is usually related to finances. Most adult children who
- [QUALIFIED DOMESTIC TRUSTS: YOUR JUMPSTART TO PROTECTING YOUR NONCITIZEN SPOUSE](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/qualifieddomestictrusts/) - Married couples love each other and want the best for each other. Establishing a comprehensive estate plan is one way to provide the best for each other. Not only does an estate plan protect you when you are unable to care for yourself during your lifetime, but it also protects your hard-earned money and property
- [5 Essential Legal Documents You Need for Incapacity Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/5-essential-legal-documents-you-need-for-incapacity-planning/) - Comprehensive estate planning involves more than just planning for your legacy after your death, avoiding probate, and reducing taxes. Good estate planning also appoints people to make legal, financial, and medical decisions for you if you are alive but unable to make those decisions for yourself (in other words, if you are incapacitated). What happens
- [How to Choose the Right Agents for Your Incapacity Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/therightagent/) - Many people believe that estate planning is only about planning for their death. But planning for what happens after you die is only one piece of the estate-planning puzzle. It is just as important to plan for what happens if you become unable to manage your own financial or medical affairs while you are alive
- [Who Will Care for Your Child When You Cannot?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/whowillcareforyourchild/) - As a parent, you are responsible for the care of your minor child. In most circumstances, this means getting them up for school, making sure they are fed, and providing for other basic needs. However, what would happen if you and your child’s other parent were unable to care for them? It is important to
- [DEMYSTIFYING PROBATE AND THE EXECUTOR’S ROLE](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/demystifyingprobate/) - When creating a Last Will and Testament (commonly known as a Will), one of your most important considerations is who to choose to serve as the executor (also called a personal representative) of your estate. As the name implies, the role of the executor is to execute the instructions that you provide in your Will.
- [Beware of Nonlawyers Acting Like Lawyers](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/bewareofnonlawyers/) - When people think about creating an estate plan, they may think it just involves getting a set of forms that convey their wishes regarding their finances, health, and what will happen to their stuff when they die. Although the documents that comprise an estate plan may seem like simple forms, these important estate planning tools
- [Don’t Let This Crucial Question Derail Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/givingawayyourmoney/) - Sitting down to create or update your estate plan can be overwhelming. Crucial to a successful plan is your ability to address two major questions: Who will get your stuff when you die, and how do you want those individuals or charities to receive that stuff? Ways to Give Away Your Money and Property Outright
- [What Is the Difference Between a Probate and Trust Administration Attorney and an Estate Planning Attorney?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estateplanningprobate/) - Estate planning attorneys and probate and trust administration attorneys play crucial but distinct roles in the legal processes involving legacy planning, asset distribution, and wealth preservation. Estate planning attorneys focus on creating a plan to manage a person's money, property, and affairs upon their death or if they are unable to manage it themselves. Probate
- [Inspiring Action: The Guide to Creating or Updating Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/createupdate/) - Creating or revising an estate plan can feel overwhelming, causing many people to procrastinate. But the longer you put it off, the more potential there is to be caught unprepared in an emergency. So how can you motivate yourself and your loved ones to begin the process? Here are some strategies to help you overcome
- [What Happens to Real Estate With a Mortgage When I Die?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/morgagewhenidie/) - Your mortgage, like the rest of your debt, does not simply disappear when you die. If you leave your home that has an outstanding loan to a beneficiary in your will or trust, your beneficiary will inherit not only the property but also the outstanding debt. They may have the right to take over the
- [Saying Goodbye Is Hard: How a Comprehensive Estate Plan Can Help](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/sayinggoodbye/) - When people think about estate planning, they usually focus on who will receive their money and property when they pass away and how it will be received. However, estate planning can also address your end-of-life wishes—the considerations and expenses involved when it is time to say goodbye to your loved ones. The following are important
- [Testamentary Trusts: The Best of Both Worlds](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testamentary-trusts-the-best-of-both-worlds/) - You have several different options when it comes to creating the right estate plan. Some people believe that a revocable living trust is the best way to go, while others think that a last will and testament (commonly known as a will) is best under certain circumstances. Others may find that a combination of both—through
- [WHAT HAPPENS TO MY TWITCH ACCOUNT WHEN I DIE?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/twitchacc/) - In the digital age, our online presence extends beyond social media. Platforms like Twitch, where users engage with live-streamed content, present unique considerations when it comes to estate planning. Do you know what happens to a Twitch account after an individual passes away? If you die and a loved one needs to take care of
- [CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL LEGO DAY](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/legoday/) - Mark your calendars: January 28 is International LEGO day, which celebrates the date when the patent for the globally famous plastic brick system was filed. Since the 1940s, people have been creating their own worlds, brick by brick, with LEGOs. With an estate plan, you can help your loved ones build a great future. Make
- [I'M A SURVIVOR . . . AND NOW I HAVE MY OWN TRUST?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/survivortrust/) - Many married couples share almost everything, including finances. This may be reflected in their estate plan by using one joint living trust instead of two separate trusts. Separate trusts can provide greater flexibility, but a joint trust can be structured so that when one spouse passes away, the trust is split into subtrusts. This arrangement
- [WHAT IS THE LAST SURVIVING SPOUSE RULE?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/spouses/) - Estate planning can be a significant part of successful financial management, especially for married couples. One key consideration is minimizing estate taxes, which can substantially affect the distribution of money and property to a married couple’s loved ones. What Are Gift and Estate Taxes? In 2024, a $13.61 million federal exemption per person for gifts
- [Should You Share Your Estate Planning Details With Loved Ones?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/should-you-share-your-estate-planning-details-with-loved-ones/) - When you decide to create a comprehensive estate plan, there are many things to consider. One is whether to tell your loved ones about your plan and how much information to share with them. Estate planning can be a complex and sensitive matter, so your choice may depend on your unique relationships with loved ones
- [How Much Authority Does a Trustee Have Over the Stuff in My Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-much-authority-does-a-trustee-have-over-the-stuff-in-my-trust/) - A trustee is a person or entity responsible for managing and administering your trust according to your instructions and in accordance with Wisconsin law. They are considered a fiduciary (meaning they are held to a higher standard of care and owe certain duties to the beneficiaries). As a fiduciary, a trustee must protect the trust’s
- [The Revocable Living Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/revocable-living-trust/) - There are many benefits to a revocable living trust that are not available in a will. An individual can choose to have one or both, and an attorney can best clarify the advantages of each. If the person engaged in planning his or her estate wants to retain the ability to change or rescind the
- [Can Artificial Intelligence Programs Write Basic Estate Planning Documents?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/artificial-intelligence/) - With the increased coverage of artificial intelligence (AI) and all of the applications it can have in our everyday lives, some people may wonder whether an AI program can create an estate plan for them. While AI may be able to generate basic estate planning documents, there is no guarantee that they will be valid
- [Estate Plan Lessons from DeMuth v. Commissioner](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/demuth-commissioner/) - Lifetime gifts are a popular way to reduce estate and inheritance taxes. Currently, only estates worth $12.92 million or more are subject to the federal estate tax. To lower their taxable estate at death, an individual may consider giving gifts to friends and family members. The timing and form of gifts have important estate planning
- [The Life and Legacy of Jimmy Buffett](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/jimmybuffett/) - Jimmy Buffett died on September 1, 2023, at age 76 after a diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma (skin cancer) four years earlier. He was a renowned singer-songwriter, film producer, businessman, novelist, and philanthropist. Buffett released his first album, Down to Earth, in 1970. By 2023, his net worth was officially $1 billion,[1] including a $180 million stake
- [What Happens to My Leased Car If I Die Before the Lease Term Ends?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/carlease/) - After a house, a car is often the second-most valuable piece of property a person owns. About 15–20 percent of new vehicles are leased rather than purchased and financed. Leasing is a popular alternative to traditional financing because it can allow the lessee (the person who leases a vehicle) to drive a more expensive car
- [How Far in Advance Can I Begin My Estate Planning?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estateplanning/) - You can create your estate plan at any time, but many people choose to begin the process sooner rather than later. Why? Because you never know when life-changing medical or financial emergencies can strike that will require someone else to manage your affairs during your lifetime. When Should You Start? When to start planning for
- [Sometimes Stuff Is the Most Important Part of Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/stuff/) - Sometimes Stuff Is the Most Important Part of Your Estate Plan Most people usually think about who will receive their retirement and bank accounts, life insurance proceeds, real estate, and other valuable possessions upon their death. However, a person’s personal property (their stuff) can also be a source of value that needs to be
- [Beware of Unequal Contributions When Purchasing a House](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/purchasing-a-house/) - At a time of record home unaffordability, more people are teaming up with friends and relatives to realize the home ownership dream. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more than 75 percent of homes on the market now are too expensive for middle-income buyers. Just five years ago, this same income group could
- [Could a Testamentary Trust Be What Your Loved Ones Need?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testamentary-trust/) - One of the main reasons that a person creates a revocable living trust (a trust established during a person’s lifetime that they can amend or revoke) instead of relying on a will to transfer their money and property to their beneficiaries is to avoid probate. Probate is the court process during which a person’s will
- [You Can Benefit from Giving Gifts](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/giving-gifts/) - A benefit of working hard is sharing the fruits of your labor with your loved ones. However, gift or estate tax consequences may impact high net worth clients when they share their wealth. By crafting a comprehensive estate plan, we can address these concerns and protect high net worth clients and their loved ones. The
- [Bills and Services to Cancel—and Keep—When a Loved One Dies](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/bills-and-services/) - A loved one’s passing is challenging on many different levels. In addition to the emotional difficulty of processing someone’s death, there are also the many tasks that must be dealt with, such as going through their various accounts and taking the necessary steps to cancel them or transfer ownership. Most people subscribe to multiple
- [What Is a Devise in My Estate Plan?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-is-a-devise-in-my-estate-plan/) - If you are thinking about creating an estate plan, you may hear some new and confusing terms. For example, an heir is a person who legally (under a will or according to state law) receives money or property from another person when that person dies. Likewise, if you have heard an estate planning attorney
- [What Not to Include in Your Estate Planning Documents](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-not-to-include/) - One important purpose of estate planning is to facilitate the transfer of ownership of your money and property to your family and loved ones when you pass away. For this transfer to be as stress-free and efficient as possible, it is crucial that estate planning documents be thorough and provide the necessary information. Nevertheless, there
- [Home Security Systems and Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/home-security/) - Estate planning helps bring peace of mind and a sense of security, both in our lifetime and beyond. While we cannot predict our fate, we can at least dictate how our money and property will be distributed and ensure that we provide for our loved ones. Physical security is a big part of feeling
- [What Happens to Your Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay Accounts at Your Death?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/venmo-paypal-applepay/) - It has been said that nothing ever dies on the Internet. While this dictum is typically used as a warning that what we put online may come back to haunt us, it is also true that our online accounts can outlive us, and even live in perpetuity. Having a digital estate plan that makes arrangements
- [Have an Etsy Store? Make Sure It Is Properly Protected](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/etsy-store/) - The online marketplace Etsy has gone from a niche craft seller to one of the largest commerce companies in the world. Etsy has millions of active sellers worldwide, most of whom are based in the United States. Many Etsy sellers rely on the site as a primary or secondary income stream. Collectively, they contribute billions
- [What to Know about Nonfungible Tokens](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-to-know-about-nonfungible-tokens/) - A nonfungible token (NFT) is a unique digital code that represents a digital item such as art or music, as well as a growing number of physical items, that runs on the blockchain (a secure, decentralized, and cryptography-backed online ledger) and provides proof of ownership of virtual collectibles. That explanation may cause confusion, and when it comes to NFTs, confusion and excitement are present in equal parts. NFTs can generate new streams of revenue for creators and be a store of value for collectors. If you own NFTs or plan to invest in them, you should update your estate plan accordingly. Handing down an NFT is more complicated than passing on a physical item or other traditional asset. But with buzz building around NFTs, they could end up being among the most valuable items in your estate.
- [Three Steps to Take When the Deceased Has Controlled Substances](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/three-steps-to-take-when-the-deceased-has-controlled-substances/) - There are so many things to think about when a loved one passes away. What to do with the prescription drugs (or other controlled substances) that are in your loved one’s medicine cabinet is not usually at the top of that list. Yet, to avoid running afoul of laws governing their disposal, it is important to understand the proper procedures for disposing of a deceased person’s controlled substances.
- [Using Beneficiary/Transfer-on-Death Deeds](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/using-beneficiary-transfer-on-death-deeds/) - If you own real property, such as a home, in your sole name but you have not created a trust and transferred your property’s title to the trust, it is virtually guaranteed that your beneficiaries (or heirs) will have to deal with probate after your death. If the time and expense required to create a living trust does not make sense for your situation but you still want to avoid the probate process, a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed may be the solution. A TOD deed (also known as a beneficiary deed) does what it sounds like it does—it transfers your real property to your selected beneficiaries upon your death, similar to a payable-on-death designation for a bank account or a transfer-on-death registration for an investment account.
- [When a Gift May Not Be a Gift](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/when-a-gift-may-not-be-a-gift/) - It is better to give than to receive. But if you give a gift above a certain amount, you might end up owing money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The federal tax code has very specific rules about how much you are allowed to transfer to others each year—and over the course of your
- [Yours, Mine, and Ours: How Including a Pour-Over Trust Can Simplify Your Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/yours-mine-and-ours-how-including-a-pour-over-trust-can-simplify-your-planning/) - A number of married couples think about their accounts and property as “yours, mine, and ours,” especially if either or both spouses have gotten or will be getting remarried, married late in life, or have brought or will be bringing significant amounts of money and property into the marriage. Deciding what should happen to all
- [How to Protect Yourself from Claims of Self-Dealing When Serving as a Trustee](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-protect-yourself-from-claims-of-self-dealing-when-serving-as-a-trustee/) - What Is Self-Dealing in Trust Administration? A trustee usually has quite a bit of discretion in their management of a trust’s accounts, money, and property (known as assets). At the same time, as a fiduciary, a trustee also owes the trust’s beneficiaries a duty of loyalty, which prohibits the trustee from self-dealing. In the simplest
- [Changes to the FAFSA Form and What It Means for Grandparents](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/changes-to-the-fafsa-form-and-what-it-means-for-grandparents/) - For grandparents who want to leave a legacy to their grandchildren, the gift of a 529 college savings plan is an option. Not only can opening a 529 plan account help a grandchild with educational expenses, it can also help grandparents with their estate planning goals. In the past, grandparent 529 plans had the potential
- [QTIP Trust - Will My Spouse Get What They Need?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/2754-2/) - A qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust is an estate planning tool that married couples can use to minimize uncertainty about the future and maximize certain tax advantages. Since no one can predict how much they will own at the time of their death, which spouse will die first, whether the surviving spouse will remarry, or what the estate tax rate will be when they die, a QTIP trust can help deal with and minimize these uncertainties without the need for a crystal ball.
- [Your Roadmap to a Protected Future after Bankruptcy](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/your-roadmap-to-a-protected-future-after-bankruptcy/) - Bankruptcy can be incredibly stressful for anyone to go through. Once your matter has been closed, you may wonder what the next steps are. To ensure that you protect your remaining accounts and property as well as yourself and your loved ones, we encourage you to consider an estate plan as your roadmap into the future.
- [Common Trusts: Parenting Beyond the Grave](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/common-trusts-parenting-beyond-the-grave/) - Parents strive to make their children feel equally valued as reflected in the fact that, when setting up an estate plan, parents typically divide their accounts and property equally among their children. But while parents strive to treat their children the same, they simultaneously acknowledge that children have different needs at different times. And these needs do not always correlate with perfectly equal dollar amounts. Should something happen to you and your accounts and property pass to your minor children in equal shares, there may not be enough money for each individual child’s expenses. Almost certainly, one child will require more funds than another. Instead of simply dividing your accounts and property equally among your children, you can place accounts and property in what is known as a pot trust or common trust with instructions for your trustee on how to spend the money and property on behalf of all the beneficiaries.
- [Statements of Intent or Purpose in Estate Planning Documents](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/statements-of-intent-or-purpose-in-estate-planning-documents/) - The reasons you, as a trustmaker, create a trust are certainly special and important to you, but your intent or purpose for creating a trust can also have significant legal ramifications. For this reason, it is often critical that a trustmaker express in writing their purpose for creating the trust. There are essentially two different ways of documenting a trustmaker’s intent—each have slightly different purposes, and sometimes both are generally called a “statement of intent.” Let us examine each of them.
- [Five Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Social Media Presence](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/five-questions-to-ask-yourself-about-your-social-media-presence/) - Social media is about putting yourself out there to connect with people, sometimes all over the world. If you are a social media influencer, not only are you being social, you are also gaining a following that may be bringing in cash. If you are using social media to earn income, here are five questions
- [Qualified Personal Residence Trust: What Is It and When Should You Consider One?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/qualified-personal-residence-trust-what-is-it-and-when-should-you-consider-one/) - Americans have enjoyed historically high estate tax exemption rates for most of the last twenty years. Such high exemption amounts have kept many of them from needing to seek out more advanced estate planning strategies to avoid estate taxes, which have been as high as 60 percent during those same years. However, it is uncertain what the estate tax exemption amounts and rates will be in the future. The current federal administration may decide to reduce the estate tax exemption amounts in an effort to raise revenue to fund many of the high-cost government programs being implemented today. Therefore, for individuals and families whose wealth is significant enough that their estates could be subject to estate taxes, it can be important to be aware of some of the tried-and-true strategies for reducing their taxable estate’s value to avoid paying more tax at death than absolutely necessary. One strategy is the qualified personal residence trust (QPRT).
- [Untangling Tangled Titles: Homeownership, Property Deeds, and Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/untangling-tangled-titles-homeownership-property-deeds-and-estate-planning/) - If you are currently living in a property that you inherited but the deed has not been transferred into your name, you may be surprised to learn that, under the law, you are technically not the owner. This legal situation is known as “tangled title.” A tangled title negatively impacts a property’s current occupant in a number of ways. It can also harm generational wealth and even contribute to fraud. For many households, most of their wealth is tied up in their home. However, until a tangled title is resolved, you cannot take full advantage of your home’s value. Untangling a tangled title is often a complicated legal process that requires attorney assistance. There are costs, but the costs of not straightening out a title could be much higher in the long term.
- [Slayer Statutes: Preventing Killers from Profiting from Their Crimes](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/slayer-statutes-preventing-killers-from-profiting-from-their-crimes/) - Most states have laws that prevent someone who has intentionally killed another individual from being able to inherit any property from their victim.[1] In general, these laws are referred to as “slayer statutes” and are designed to prevent the patently unjust outcome of a killer inheriting property as the result of such a heinous crime.
- [All Good Things Must Come to an End: Reasons a Trust Might Terminate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/all-good-things-must-come-to-an-end-reasons-a-trust-might-terminate/) - Nothing lasts forever. While trusts can stretch across generations and keep valuable money and property within a family, no trust has unlimited funds or an interminable time horizon. Every trust, at some point, will end. The reasons why a trust might terminate can vary, but in general, termination occurs because the trust has accomplished its purpose, is no longer economically feasible, has distributed all of its property, is revoked, or is dissolved by the court because of a dispute or an illegality.
- [What Happens to Your Social Media Accounts at Your Death?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-happens-to-your-social-media-accounts-at-your-death/) - According to Statista, more than 295 million people in the United States use social media.[1] If you are an avid social media user, have you considered what will happen to your accounts when you die? If you have spent time creating, uploading, and sharing content, it is important to take a look now at what will happen after you pass away so you can determine your content’s future.
- [Should You Consider a Life Estate for Your Home?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/should-you-consider-a-life-estate-for-your-home/) - A life estate, sometimes called a right of occupancy, is a property law concept that allows a property owner to split their interest in real estate and other types of property into different types of ownership that can exist simultaneously. For example, the owner of a cabin could legally split their ownership interest in the cabin, allowing them to possess and enjoy the cabin for the remainder of their life and then, at death, automatically pass full ownership of the cabin to a named individual.
- [Life Insurance and Estate Planning: Protecting Your Beneficiaries’ Interests](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/life-insurance-and-estate-planning-protecting-your-beneficiaries-interests/) - A common misconception people have about life insurance is that they only need to designate their spouse, child, or loved one as the beneficiary of the policy to ensure that the life insurance benefits will be available to the beneficiary when they die. Life insurance is an important financial and estate planning tool, but without
- [Mental Health Considerations in Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/mental-health-considerations-in-estate-planning/) - The odds are that you or somebody in your family is living with a mental health condition. Rather than ignoring what might be an uncomfortable topic, you should think proactively about the challenges of living with mental illness and set up an estate plan that addresses such challenges head-on. Estate planning is a sensitive subject and it can be even more sensitive when the issue of mental health is involved. If you need to set up an estate plan, or revise an existing estate plan, around mental health concerns, we are here to help. Please contact our office to set up an appointment with an estate planning attorney.
- [Are Family Limited Partnerships Under Attack?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/are-family-limited-partnerships-under-attack/) - A popular estate planning tool that has long been used effectively may be facing new challenges under the current administration in Washington, DC. The family limited partnership (FLP) is an estate planning tool that allows families not only to transfer significant amounts of their wealth to succeeding generations while reducing estate, gift, and income tax liabilities but also to achieve several other important estate planning goals.
- [Why You Might Want to Go Through Probate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-you-might-want-to-go-through-probate/) - Avoiding probate is a common goal for individuals deciding how they want their money and property to be handled when they pass. It is a worthy one and is regularly promoted by estate planning attorneys across the nation. However, probate is not an inherently bad process and does not always need to be avoided. Probate can be simply defined as the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s money and property—the key word being “court-supervised.” Court supervision has both pros and cons. In most cases, emphasis is rightly placed on the complexities associated with court involvement. Namely, court supervision makes the process of distributing money and property a public proceeding that is subject to timelines that are slow and often drawn out. The cost of court involvement also complicates matters.
- [Britney Spears: A Cautionary Tale about Conservatorships](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/britney-spears-a-cautionary-tale-about-conservatorships/) - A conservatorship is a legal means of stripping someone of their right to make certain decisions for themselves. This drastic measure, provided for under the law, is typically implemented with the best of intentions. Many people who suffer mental health challenges or disabilities, dementia, or extreme physical disabilities require the help of someone who can make informed decisions that are in their best interests. However, a conservatorship is an extreme step and should be approached with great caution—an individual’s liberties are at stake.
- [Decanting: Redoing Your Loved One’s Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/decanting-redoing-your-loved-ones-estate-plan/) - Decanting is an important tool that emerged in some states in the last century.[1] This tool is increasingly being used to remedy situations where a now-irrevocable trust needs to be fixed because of changing circumstances that appear to work contrary to the trustmaker’s intent.
- [What if I Can Find Only Photocopies or Digital Copies of My Estate Planning Documents?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-if-i-can-find-only-photocopies-or-digital-copies-of-my-estate-planning-documents/) - Although some attorneys make it their standard practice to retain and store a client’s original will for safekeeping as a service, that trend is becoming increasingly rare. As more law offices make efforts to “go green” by storing only digital copies of legal documents, they are giving their clients the responsibility of keeping their original documents safe.
- [Trust Funding: Is Everything Titled Correctly?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/trust-funding-is-everything-titled-correctly/) - Working with an attorney to draft a trust agreement for estate planning purposes is an important step. But just getting the document drafted and signed is not enough. For any trust to be effective, you must complete the process of funding your trust as soon as you can. But what exactly is funding?
- [How Your Financial and Estate Planning Team Has Your Back](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-your-financial-and-estate-planning-team-has-your-back/) - Comprehensive estate and financial plans are not just for the wealthy. Anyone who cares for a person or cause and who wants to provide for the person or cause after they die can benefit from such plans. Along with comprehensive estate and financial plans comes a team to help you create, manage, and support those plans. This team includes your estate planning attorney, financial advisor, certified public accountant, insurance agent, and even your spiritual advisor.
- [Trust and Estate Administration: Whom Should You Bring to the Meetings?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/trust-and-estate-administration-whom-should-you-bring-to-the-meetings/) - A loved one’s passing is felt by their entire surviving family. But when it comes to carrying out the decedent’s final wishes, not everyone has an equal say. In fact, in many cases, only one person—the executor, or personal representative, of the estate—plays a role in administering a will.
- [Basis: What You Need to Know](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/basis-what-you-need-to-know/) - “Basis” is a term used frequently in tax law. But for many, the term is unfamiliar and intimidating—perhaps something they feel is better left to a certified public accountant to worry about. Nevertheless, a basic understanding of the concept can be very helpful for understanding important estate planning strategies used by your attorney and financial or tax advisors.
- [What Is a Separate Revocable Living Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-is-a-separate-revocable-living-trust/) - When a couple engages in foundational estate planning, one of the first questions addressed by estate planning attorneys is whether it makes sense for the couple to use a revocable living trust (RLT) as a part of their plan. If using an RLT makes sense, an important follow-up question to married couples should be whether it makes sense for them to use a joint RLT or separate RLTs.
- [How Can Remarriage Affect Your Estate Planning?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-can-remarriage-affect-your-estate-planning/) - Divorce is more common now than it was in the past, as is remarriage. Depending on how long a prior marriage lasted, the former couple may have engaged in certain levels of estate planning together. When that is the case, it is important to understand how a subsequent marriage can impact the estate planning from a prior marriage. If you or someone named in your estate planning documents has remarried, there are several major issues that you should be aware of as well as steps you should take to ensure your estate planning continues to be appropriate for your current situation.
- [Estate Planning: Answering Common Questions of Senior Citizens](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-answering-common-questions-of-senior-citizens/) - According to a study conducted by Caring.com, the percentage of people aged fifty-five and older who have created a will has fallen from 60 percent to 44 percent since 2019.[1] Although creating or updating your estate planning may seem like a daunting task, a proper estate plan can help address the concerns you may face as a senior citizen. We are here to help you.
- [Estate Planning Checklist: Multigenerational Wealth Transfers](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-checklist-multigenerational-wealth-transfers/) - Studies estimate that 70 percent of family wealth is lost by the end of the second generation and 90 percent by the end of the third generation. To help your loved ones avoid becoming part of this statistic, you need to educate and update your extended family about your wealth transfer goals and the plan you have put in place to achieve these goals.
- [Successor Trustee Compensation](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/successor-trustee-compensation/) - Asking someone to serve as your fiduciary (trustee of your trust or personal representative or executor under your last will and testament) is not something that you should take lightly. Serving as a fiduciary is a heavy responsibility that requires significant time and effort. If you plan to nominate a family member or friend to serve in one or both of these roles, you will need to consider whether you should authorize them to be compensated from the trust or estate for the services they provide to the trust beneficiaries or heirs of the estate.
- [When You May Not Be Able to Use a Financial Power of Attorney](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/when-you-may-not-be-able-to-use-financial-power-of-attorney/) - You may have signed a financial power of attorney (POA) that allows one or more people to act on your behalf if and when you become unable to act for yourself. However, a financial POA is not valid in certain situations. Knowing when your POA will not be recognized is an often-overlooked aspect of estate planning. To ensure that you have anticipated every contingency, you should discuss with your estate planning attorney the POA exceptions noted in this article.
- [Can a Beneficiary Also Be a Trustee of a Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/can-a-beneficiary-also-be-a-trustee-of-a-trust/) - Clients often naturally choose their children to be beneficiaries of their revocable living trusts. Many clients also wish to name one or more of their children as the trustee of that trust, but are not sure if that is allowed by the law. The short answer is yes, a beneficiary can also be a trustee
- [Can a Disabled Individual Be an Executor or a Trustee?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/can-a-disabled-individual-be-an-executor-or-a-trustee/) - An important element of creating an estate plan is choosing a responsible party to handle your legal, medical, and financial affairs if you become unable to manage them yourself (i.e., become incapacitated) or die. The individual or entity you choose must be someone whom you can trust to make crucial and often time-sensitive decisions, who
- [Your Estate Plan and Your New Job](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-and-new-job/) - Starting a new job is an exciting new chapter in your life. Depending on your company’s onboarding process, there can be a lot of moving parts. You may feel overwhelmed by the introduction and review of the many different types of employee benefits. Not only are there forms to be filled out, they need to be filled out properly to ensure that your true financial and estate planning wishes are carried out.
- [Defining “Fair Market Value”: The Case of Wilburn v. Mangano](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/fair-market-value-wilburn-v-mangano/) - When reading through a will or trust agreement, you may see language that grants a right to an individual to purchase certain property from the estate or trust at “fair market value.” At first glance, this phrase may seem a perfectly reasonable method of setting a suitable purchase price for a property to be sold at a later date. But a recent court case out of Virginia teaches an important lesson to those who have a will or a trust that relies solely on the term “fair market value” to set a future price of property.
- [Types of Life Insurance and How They Can Be Used in Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/life-insurance-and-estate-planning/) - Many of us do not start thinking about life insurance until we get our first full-time job and the company’s human resources representative asks us if we want to enroll in the employer’s group life insurance policy. Most people think “Why not?” and sign up, naming a family member as the beneficiary of their policy, and then never give it another thought. Although this may be a good start, too few of us spend much more time thinking about life insurance.
- [Why Is My Trust So Long?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-is-my-trust-so-long/) - When you met with an attorney a few weeks ago, perhaps all you expected was a simple will. Maybe you thought that, with your situation, the work should be easy and the documents should be few. But now that you have finished working with the attorney, your parting gift is a heavy binder filled with hundreds of pages. You may be wondering, “Why is my trust so long?”
- [Do I Have to Leave Anything to My Children?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/do-i-have-to-leave-anything-to-my-children/) - One storyline trope in Hollywood movies is the rich father disinheriting the family outcast. The story usually traces the child’s attempts to win the father over and be considered a part of the family again. But can fiction imitate reality? Can you actually disinherit a child? The answer, in most circumstances, is yes. You can disinherit a child under most states’ laws, but you must understand the limitations and additional factors if you are considering this option.
- [What are Letters of Testamentary?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-are-letters-of-testamentary/) - An individual who has been named as a personal representative or executor in a will has a number of important duties. These include gathering the deceased person's property and transferring it to the beneficiaries through a court-supervised process known as probate. In order to initiate this proceeding, the executor must first obtain what are referred to as Letters of Testamentary. In Wisconsin, they are called Domiciliary Letters. This document gives the executor the legal authority to administer the deceased person's estate.
- [The Estate Planning Toolkit for Unmarried Partners](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-toolkit-unmarried/) - Estate planning is essential for everyone, but it is especially important if you and your partner are in a long-term committed relationship and are not married. Unless you plan properly, your partner will not receive any of your money or property when you pass away and will be unable to care for you when you
- [Overview of the Ways to Hold Title to Property](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/overview-ways-hold-title-property/) - You are purchasing a home, and the escrow officer asks, “How do you want to hold title to the property?” In the context of your overall home purchase, this may seem like a small, inconsequential detail; however nothing could be further from the truth.
- [What Are the Rights of a Child Born Outside of Marriage?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/rights-of-child-born-outside-marriage/) - Despite the prevailing view, children born to unmarried parents are commonplace. If you are a nonmarital child or have a nonmarital child, it is essential to understand how rights to inherit are formed and defined. Failure to adequately provide estate planning for a nonmarital child could be problematic for children and families attempting to assert their rights following the nonmarital father’s death.
- [Happy Cinco de Mayo](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-cinco-de-mayo/) - Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco
- [Firearms and Estate Administration: What to Know](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/deceased-owned-firearms/) - According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), from 1986 through 2018, tens of millions of firearms were both manufactured in and imported into the United States.[1] Where are those guns today? They are most likely filling gun safes, closets, nightstands, and desk drawers in homes all across this country. Regardless of
- [Creditors Are a Threat to Inherited Retirement Accounts](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/caution-creditors-inherited-retirement-accounts/) - Do you have an individual retirement account or other type of retirement account that you plan to leave to your loved ones? If so, proceed with caution. Inherited retirement accounts do not have asset protection when they pass to your loved ones, meaning creditors can seize the money in the accounts to satisfy any claims
- [Can I Remodel My Own Estate Planning Documents?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/can-i-remodel-my-own-estate-planning-documents/) - Do you know that, according to the National Association of Home Builders, May is National Home Remodeling Month? Many people associate spring with cleaning out the old, brushing off the dirt accumulated from the long winter, and starting projects around the house that have been neglected for far too long. Estate planning is one area that often goes unexamined and neglected. Is it time to remodel your estate plan? If so, is that something that you can (or should) do on your own?
- [Simultaneous Deaths: What If My Spouse and I Die at the Same Time?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/simultaneous-deaths/) - The chances of a married couple dying in a common accident or within a very short time of one another are probably quite slim. However, it does happen. And it happens frequently enough that most states have laws to address the issue and the problems that can arise from simultaneous deaths. What are these laws, why do we need them, and can we work around them if we need to?
- [Will or Living Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/will-living-trust/) - You have two basic choices for transferring your assets on your death: the will, which is the standard method, and the living trust, which is rapidly growing in popularity. If you die without either a will or a living trust, state law controls the disposition of your property. And settling your estate likely will be
- [Planning for Stepchildren and Step-Grandchildren](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/planning-for-stepchildren/) - The structure of families has changed in the United States: According to statistics cited by the Pew Research Center, six out of ten women who remarry are in blended families, and in about half of those remarriages, stepchildren live with the remarried couple. If you or your grown children are part of a blended family,
- [What You Should Know About Life Insurance Settlements](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-you-should-know-about-life-insurance-settlements/) - Though many people are familiar with life insurance policies and have a general understanding of how they work, the process of selling a life insurance policy to a third party may be less commonly understood. When an insured party sells a life insurance policy to a third party investor, the transaction is called a life
- [Estate Tax Returns: Not as Scary as They Sound](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-tax-returns-not-as-scary-as-they-sound/) - When an individual passes away, tax issues are one of the many things that must be considered. For most individuals who pass away, a final income tax return must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state (if the particular state also taxes income) to settle any income tax liability that may exist.
- [Reviewing Your Estate Plan after the Death of a Loved One](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/reviewing-your-estate-plan-after-the-death-of-a-loved-one/) - The death of a loved one is never easy. Regardless of your relationship with the deceased (blood relative, life partner, or close friend), you need space and time to process and grieve your loss. Once you have had time to cope with all that has happened, you should consider updating your estate plan in light
- [What If I Can't Find My Loved One's Documents?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-if-i-cant-find/) - If a loved one has recently died or become mentally incapacitated, finding the person’s estate planning documents is essential. The estate planning process and associated documents are critical to making decisions on the loved one’s behalf, gaining access to accounts, and discovering your deceased loved one’s wishes regarding how to distribute the individual’s money and
- [My Loved One Has Died - What Do I Do Now?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/my-loved-one-has-died-what-do-i-do-now/) - When a family member or other loved one dies, grief and shock can sometimes be overwhelming. The last thing most people want to think about is making phone calls or funeral arrangements. Some things do not need to be done immediately, but there are some steps that should be taken soon after the loss of
- [What If No One Wants My Stuff?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-if-no-one-wants-my-stuff-2/) - A critical question to ask yourself when creating an estate plan is who will get your stuff when you pass on? While most people think about who they would like to receive the major items—homes, retirement accounts, savings—personal property such as jewelry, clothing, sports equipment, vehicles, and other personal possessions are often overlooked. The truth
- [Reviewing Your Accounts and Property upon the Death of a Loved One](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/reviewing-your-accounts-and-property-upon-the-death-of-a-loved-one/) - How your accounts are owned makes a big difference in estate planning. The main objective is usually to ensure that no accounts and property are in only your name when you die. Otherwise, they will be subject to probate, a costly, public, and time-consuming court process that many people prefer to avoid. Therefore, it is
- [Handling the Legal Affairs of an Estranged Noncitizen Spouse at Death](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/handling-the-legal-affairs-of-an-estranged-noncitizen-spouse-at-death/) - As the world becomes more of a global community, it is no longer uncommon for married couples to maintain different citizenships. While a difference in citizenship alone can present complexities from an everyday tax perspective, another set of challenges arises when a noncitizen spouse separates from the US spouse, returns to live in the noncitizen
- [Estate Planning After Personal Injury Settlements](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-after-personal-injury-settlements/) - In the hectic and sometimes dangerous world that we live in, it is an unfortunate fact of life that accidents happen and people get hurt. The U.S. legal system is designed so that those who suffer injury through the avoidable fault of others can seek compensation for those injuries. Sometimes injuries are so severe that
- [What to Do When a Child Dies](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-to-do-when-a-child-dies/) - The death of a minor child is one of the greatest shocks that life can deliver. No one can ever prepare for the cascade of challenges that will come with such an event. Not only are there legal and financial challenges that you must deal with, but all of these challenges come at a time
- [Third-Party Supplemental Needs Trusts](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/third-party-supplemental-needs-trusts/) - If you want to provide for a loved one who is disabled or has special needs when you are no longer here, care must be taken to ensure that the inheritance you leave will help rather than harm your loved one. An inheritance received outright could negatively impact your loved one if he or she
- [Five Mistakes Successor Trustees Make (and How to Prevent Them)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/2335-2/) - When establishing a trust, you must give serious thought to who you choose as your successor trustee—the person who will manage, invest, and hand out the trust’s accounts and property once you are no longer able to do so. This individual should be: someone you trust implicitly; someone who is organized, responsible, transparent, and meticulous;
- [My Loved One Has Died: As an Heir or Beneficiary, Do I Need an Attorney?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/my-loved-one-has-died-as-an-heir-or-beneficiary-do-i-need-an-attorney/) - You just found out that your favorite aunt, Aunt Melba, has died. In the midst of your grief and sadness, you receive a notice from the attorney handling Aunt Melba's affairs stating that you are a beneficiary. Your best friend advises you to get an attorney. What should you do? Will Aunt Melba's attorney help
- [Things You Need to Know as Successor Trustee](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/things-you-need-to-know-as-successor-trustee/) - Being named as a successor trustee in someone’s revocable living trust document can be considered a great honor. With that honor, however, comes responsibility. Whether you were appointed to this role due to someone’s death or incapacity, we are here to assist you with understanding your role in the trust administration process and to offer
- [What Is a Medallion Signature Guarantee, and Do I Need One?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-is-a-medallion-signature-guarantee-and-do-i-need-one/) - Upon seeing the words medallion signature guarantee (MSG), you may envision some shiny grand medallion, signifying a level of greatness few attain. However, that is far from what this guarantee means. An MSG is a unique tool used to protect the transfer of certain accounts and property from fraudulent transfers and may be required during
- [Should You Own Your Timeshare in Your Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/should-you-own-your-timeshare-in-your-trust/) - Timeshares have come a long way since they first arrived in the real estate market back in the ’70s. In the early days of timeshare ownership, high-pressure sales tactics, exceedingly vague contracts, and inflexible scheduling policies caused many people to quickly regret such purchases. Over time, however, timeshares have become more consumer-friendly with greater transparency
- [Can Dual Citizenship Ruin Your Estate Plan?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/can-dual-citizenship-ruin-your-estate-plan/) - In early 2020, married actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson became honorary citizens of Greece. The president of Greece bestowed this honor upon them due in large part to their humanitarian work in the country after a deadly wildfire swept through Athens in 2018. Hanks and Wilson spend considerable time in Greece as it is
- [The Recipe for a Satisfying Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-recipe-for-a-satisfying-estate-plan/) - Misconceptions about who needs an estate plan abound. Most people believe that estate planning is only for extremely wealthy business moguls or celebrities. But that could not be further from the truth. Estate planning is the process of making decisions about what happens to you, your money, and your property when you pass away or
- [What to Do When a Loved One Dies Abroad](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-to-do-when-a-loved-one-dies-abroad/) - The death of a loved one can be one of the most disorienting life events. But if the loved one dies while traveling in a foreign country, the emotional and bureaucratic burdens can multiply exponentially. Contact the United States Bureau of Consular Affairs If foreign local authorities report a death to a US embassy or
- [How to Own Your Real Estate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-own-your-real-estate/) - Real estate encompasses not only one’s primary residence but also other real estate such as a vacation home or a rental property. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of real estate you own. Below, we take a look at the different types of real estate and offer advice about the best
- [Choosing a Corporate Trustee](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/choosing-a-corporate-trustee/) - Making plans for your money and property after you pass away is not the most exciting thing to do. It involves thinking about situations that may cause feelings of fear and uncertainty. Nevertheless, it is essential to face those decisions head-on. You must determine what people, things, and values matter most to you. A critical
- [How Refinancing a Property Can Affect Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-refinancing-a-property-can-affect-your-estate-plan/) - The mortgage business is booming in many parts of the country. Historically low interest rates have created an almost frenzied environment with homeowners scrambling to refinance their home loans at these low interest rates. Even a few tenths of a percentage point of interest, over thirty years, can make a massive difference in the amount
- [Protecting a Loved one Who Is, Will Be, or Has Been Incarcerated](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/protecting-a-loved-one-who-is-will-be-or-has-been-incarcerated/) - It is natural to want to protect our loved ones no matter what. However, you may be finding it difficult to provide a prosperous future for your loved one if that person will be, is, or has been incarcerated. Unfortunately, this event will forever change your loved one’s life, but with the right planning, you
- [Buyer Beware: How to Avoid Estate Planning Scams](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/buyer-beware-how-to-avoid-estate-planning-scams/) - Imagine spending thousands of dollars on an estate plan to protect loved ones, only to find that no true protection exists. Unfortunately, this scenario happens on a regular basis to individuals who are victims of estate planning schemes. According to a report conducted by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of people ages 50 and
- [Wills, Trusts & Dying Intestate: How They Differ](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wills-trusts-dying-intestate-how-they-differ-2/) - Most people understand that having some sort of an estate plan is a good thing. However, many of us do not take the first steps to get that estate plan in place because we do not understand the nuances between a will and trust – and dying without either. Here is what will generally happen
- [Tips for Divvying Up Personal Property](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/tips-for-divvying-up-personal-property/) - We collect stuff throughout our lives. This “stuff” is known as our personal property. Some items are valuable, like jewelry, baseball cards, and works of art. Other items are sentimental, like grandma’s tea set, old Christmas ornaments, and photographs. Regardless of the value, it is important that these items be distributed the way you want
- [What Happens If My Beneficiary Dies Before Me?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-happens-if-my-beneficiary-dies-before-me/) - When planning for death, most people assume they will die before their beneficiaries (e.g., their spouse, children, and grandchildren). While these assumptions are often well-founded, they do not always come to pass. Sometimes a beneficiary of an estate or trust dies before the person leaving the inheritance. If this has happened to you, you may
- [COVID-19 and Minor Children: Things to Consider Now](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/covid-19-and-minor-children-things-to-consider-now/) - Protecting your family is important, especially when you have minor children, and even more so now that we are living through a pandemic. With all of the unknowns of our current situation, you need some certainty. Having an up-to-date estate plan can be the first step toward providing that certainty in an uncertain world. Many
- [Deeper Dive into Advance Healthcare Directives](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/deeper-dive-into-advance-healthcare-directives/) - When it comes to your healthcare, especially during these uncertain times, you need to ensure that two estate planning documents in particular are up to date. The first is your healthcare power of attorney. This document allows you to name a person to make medical decisions on your behalf or communicate your wishes in the
- [Estate Planning: 3 Reasons We Run the Other Way](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-3-reasons-we-run-the-other-way/) - It can be hard to get motivated about your estate planning; it sounds about as fun as getting a root canal. However, you also probably want to make sure that your loved ones are protected and receive your hard-earned money and property – regardless of whether you have $10 million or $10,000. Do not let
- [Seven Ways to Avoid Family Fights over Your Property](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/seven-ways-to-avoid-family-fights-over-your-property/) - Ask a group of friends if they have experienced a family fight over property after a loved one has died, and you will be in for a lively and eye-opening conversation. Far too many families end up fighting, or at least experiencing tension, over a family inheritance. But it does not have to be that
- [Snowbirds: What You Need to Know about Renting Out Your Property](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/snowbirds-what-you-need-to-know-about-renting-out-your-property/) - Retreating to a warmer climate for the winter sounds like an ideal way to spend a few months. To help make this dream a reality, some individuals choose to rent out their second homes when they are not in use. But before you list your second home for rent, there are a few things you
- [Considerations Before Heading South for the Winter](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/considerations-before-heading-south-for-the-winter/) - For many snowbirds, cooler weather means it is time to head south. If you are thinking about heading for warmer weather this winter, there are a few things you should consider before hitting the road. What is happening in your destination state? Because we are still in the midst of a pandemic, it would be
- [How Do I Donate My Organs When I Die?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-do-i-donate-my-organs/) - Thinking about what will happen to your body when you pass away is probably not what you would like to do with your spare time. However, if you want to donate your organs when you die, you must think about precisely what you want and communicate those wishes to the people who will carry them
- [Vacation Plans? Precautions and Preparations to Consider](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/vacation-plans-precautions-and-preparations-to-consider/) - After months of near confinement in our homes, many of us are stir-crazy and eager to travel to a vacation destination. Although more states are opening up, there are several precautions to consider and preparations to make as you plan your travels. Heed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The CDC has
- [Help! I’ve Been Named as a Guardian. What Do I Do?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/help-ive-been-named-as-a-guardian-what-do-i-do/) - A guardian is an individual who cares for someone, often a minor child, who needs special protection. Parents can nominate a guardian in their will, but typically a court must confirm and officially appoint the guardian after both parents have passed away. Sometimes the need for a guardian arises when the parents are still alive.
- [Saving for College: What If There Is Money Left Over?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/saving-for-college-what-if-there-is-money-left-over/) - Setting money aside for your children’s or grandchildren’s education is a great way to provide for their future. However, it is possible that not all of the money you have set aside will be used for college expenses. For example, your child may receive a large scholarship and will not need to use all the
- [Education Funding Flexibility in Light of COVID-19](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/education-funding-flexibility-in-light-of-covid-19/) - When it comes to returning to school in the fall, the details may still be unknown. Will students be attending classes in person, or will classes continue to be online? Will college students be allowed on campus, or will they be bunking with mom and dad for the fall semester? One thing is certain: education
- [Legal Requirements to Consider When Selecting an Executor](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/legal-requirements-to-consider-when-selecting-an-executor/) - The person you choose to be your executor (sometimes called a personal representative) will play an extremely important role, as that person will be responsible for gathering, securing, managing, and ultimately distributing your money and property when you pass away. As a result, you should make your selection only after careful consideration regarding who is
- [HELP! This Probate Is Taking Forever!!!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/help-this-probate-is-taking-forever/) - After a loved one dies, their money and property must be distributed to the right people, either according to their will or the state’s default distribution scheme (found in its “intestacy” statute). While most people want the settlement process to be done ASAP, probate can take between 18 and 24 months. Yes, you read that
- [Assisted Reproductive Technology and the Real Impact on Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/assisted-reproductive-technology-and-the-real-impact-on-estate-planning/) - According to data provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1.9% of all infants born in the United States, 81,478 in 2018, were conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART).[1] ART is defined by the CDC as all fertility treatments in which both eggs and embryos are handled: It can involve a number of
- [Why Your Marital Property Agreement Should Be Shown to Your Estate Planner](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-your-marital-agreement-should-be-shown-to-your-estate-planner/) - It is not uncommon for couples to enter into marital property agreements stating what property is separately owned by each spouse and the property rights each spouse will have in the event of separation, divorce, or death. They are most common when one or both of the spouses is wealthy, owns a family business, or
- [Things to Be Aware of When Administering a Hoarder's Estate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/things-to-be-aware-of-when-administering-a-hoarders-estate/) - Hoarding is more than just being a bit messy (or buying a six-month supply of toilet paper): it is actually a mental disorder causing some people to have difficulty discarding items, regardless of their value, and to experience severe distress even at the thought of it. If you have been named as the personal representative
- [Strategies for Your Charitable Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/strategies-for-your-charitable-planning/) - There are many reasons why you may want to give to a charity: You may give because you believe strongly in a cause or organization, but it can also reduce your yearly income tax bill and remove value from your overall estate. If you are considering making a donation, but are unsure of how to
- [Choosing a Gift to Give to a Charity](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/choosing-a-gift-to-give-to-a-charity/) - If you are considering making a donation to a public charity, you are not limited to donating cash. Depending upon your financial situation, giving objectives, and the needs of the charitable organization, certain accounts or pieces of property may be better suited for donation to the charity. Cash Writing a check to your favorite charity
- [Special Estate Planning Considerations for Art and Other Collections](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/special-estate-planning-considerations-for-art-and-other-collections/) - Many people have collections about which they are quite passionate: The collections may be very valuable, for example, art collections, coins, stamps, or designer handbags, or they may have more sentimental than monetary value, such as political bumper stickers, postcards, or rocks. Regardless of its dollar value, if you have a collection, it should be
- [Unclaimed Property: What It Is, Where to Find It, and Its Impact on Estate Planning & Administration](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/unclaimed-property/) - For most of us, every penny counts, so it is almost inconceivable that we could have lost track of any money or property. Regardless of how careful we are with our finances, it is possible for utility deposits, credit balances, unused gift certificates, bank accounts, and many more types of property or money to accidentally
- [Can a Non-U.S. Citizen Create an Estate Plan in the U.S.?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/can-a-non-u-s-citizen-create-an-estate-plan-in-the-u-s/) - The United States has experienced a surge in immigration since 1970, and there are now approximately 45 million foreign-born people living in the United States. Some of them have become U.S. citizens, but many non-citizens live in the United States as well. In 2019 alone, approximately 1,031,000 foreign nationals obtained lawful permanent resident status.[1] It
- [What Happens When Your Disabled Child Turns 18](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-happens-when-your-disabled-child-turns-18/) - When your child is under the age of 18, you, as their parent, can make most, if not all decisions, on their behalf. However, when your child turns 18, the law views them as an adult, and you no longer have the ability to control what and how decisions are made, or even receive relevant
- [COVID-19: A Reminder of Why Estate Planning Is Important](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/covid-19-a-reminder-of-why-estate-planning-is-important/) - Coronavirus has been all over the news—and with good reason. For some people, it can turn into a serious illness if contracted. Thankfully, for the great majority of people who have contracted the disease, the symptoms appear to be relatively mild. Nevertheless, it is crucial for everyone, particularly those who are in good health, to
- [Important Steps to Protect Your Special Beneficiaries](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/important-steps-to-protect-your-special-beneficiaries/) - All children are a blessing. From the day they are born, you begin making plans to ensure that your child or grandchild has a bright future. What will their interests be? What job will they have? Who will they marry? While these are common concerns for most families, for those with a special needs child
- [Ancillary Probate: When Is It Used, Where It Occurs, and How to Avoid It](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/ancillary-probate-when-is-it-used-where-it-occurs-and-how-to-avoid-it/) - Many people own property in more than one state—perhaps a vacation home in Florida, a rental property in a former home state, or even a car titled in another state. It is important to think about how that property will be handled as you create an estate plan. It may be necessary for there to
- [How to Protect Your Family When You and Your Spouse Work in the Same Business](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-protect-your-family-when-you-and-your-spouse-work-in-the-same-business/) - You and your spouse live together, you work together, and chances are you spend a lot of your free time together. Having a successful marriage and business takes a lot of hard work and dedication but can also be among the most rewarding things in life. To help keep you on the right track, here
- [Which Distribution Method Is Best? Showing Your Children the Love](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/which-distribution-method-is-best/) - If you are a parent, you probably love to do good things for your children—and leaving them an inheritance is one of the most tangible ways you can show your love once you are gone. What you may not know is that there are a variety of ways that you can leave money and property
- [Wilson Law Group, LLC - COVID-19](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wilson-law-group-llc-covid-19/) - At Wilson Law Group, the health, safety, and well-being of our clients and staff are our highest priority. During this challenging time, we understand your concerns surrounding COVID-19 (coronavirus) and are monitoring this fluid situation closely. At this time, our office remains open and committed to serving your estate planning needs. Even though we
- [We All Need a Yearly Checkup: Your Estate Plan Does Too](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/we-all-need-a-yearly-checkup-your-estate-plan-does-too/) - One of the main reasons for getting an annual physical is to detect and treat problems before an illness or health condition becomes serious. Likewise, it is important for your estate plan to get a regular check up to address changes in your life circumstances or in the law to ensure that optimal plans are
- [Estate Planning Strategies to Protect Your Spouse](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-strategies-to-protect-your-spouse/) - You have searched for and found the love of your life, maybe your first love, or maybe after a previous marriage. As you have built your life together, you have probably weathered your fair share of storms and grown stronger because of them. To prepare for the future and the possibility of no longer being
- [Common Mistakes with DIY Estate Plans](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/common-mistakes-with-diy-estate-plans/) - The internet offers all the information and tools we need at our fingertips to create our own estate plan, right? For most people, this is simply not true. Several years ago, Consumer Reports®, an independent nonprofit consumer watchdog group, created wills using the forms provided by DIY websites and asked three law professors to review
- [The SECURE Act: How Does It Affect Your Retirement Accounts?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-secure-act-how-does-it-affect-your-retirement-accounts/) - On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act), which became effective on January 1, 2020. The Act is the most impactful legislation affecting retirement accounts in decades. It will have a positive impact for many older Americans but could have negative tax consequences for many
- [Estate Planning is Like Building a Snowman](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-is-like-building-a-snowman/) - A complete estate plan must include certain essential parts. In fact, it is similar to building a snowman in some respects. The traditional snowman has several critical components: bottom, middle, and top snowballs, as well as “arms” and a “face.” If any of these are left out, the snowman can look a little odd! The
- [New Year, New Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/new-year-new-estate-plan/) - A new year is a time for optimism and new opportunities. It is a time to start fresh and make sure you are headed in the right direction. But making New Year’s resolutions is not enough: Take action now to ensure that you and your family or loved ones are prepared for the future! Create
- [Important Things Your Agent Under a Healthcare Power of Attorney Needs to Know](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/important-things-your-agent-under-a-healthcare-power-of-attorney-needs-to-know/) - Even if you are currently the picture of good health, you may suddenly become too ill to make healthcare decisions for yourself or become unconscious after an accident, needing someone to stand in your shoes to make those decisions for you. A medical power of attorney is a crucial part of your estate plan that
- [Important Estate Planning Considerations for LGBTQ Couples](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/important-estate-planning-considerations-for-lgbtq-couples/) - Everyone needs estate planning. Regardless of your age, race, gender, or sexual orientation, properly protecting your future and your loved ones requires a plan. For LGBTQ couples, there are a few things they should consider when thinking about crafting an estate plan. Each couple is unique, and it is our goal to ensure that your
- [Productivity Tips for the New Year](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/productivity-tips-for-the-new-year/) - Are you feeling bogged down in a swamp of clutter, deadlines, and incomplete tasks? As we start the dawn of a new year, make it your goal to do a few simple things over the course of a day or two that will result in increased productivity and peace of mind for 2020. Clean Up
- [Is a Handwritten Will Effective?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/is-a-handwritten-will-effective/) - After the 2018 passing of the legendary singer Aretha Franklin, her family and lawyer initially thought she had died without a will. But in 2019, three handwritten wills—two from 2010 that were locked in a cabinet and one from 2014 that was hidden under a couch cushion—were found in Franklin’s home in Detroit. Franklin’s attorney
- [Planning for Your Automobile](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/planning-for-your-automobile/) - Have you considered what will happen to your car when you pass away? In 2019, it is projected that there will be 281.3 million registered vehicles in the United States. Your car is a valuable asset—as well as a potential source of liability—that you should consider in your estate plan. Cars can be owned or
- [Myths We Tell Ourselves About Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/myths-we-tell-ourselves-about/) - Estate planning can be a very difficult process. Making the decision to move forward with the planning requires us to face the fact that we will not live forever. This thought can stop many people right in their tracks. Others talk themselves out of seeing a qualified attorney to put together an estate plan based
- [Estate Planning for Military Families](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/planning-for-military-families/) - No matter the time of year, it is always a good opportunity for members of the military and their loved ones to consider setting up — or revising an existing —estate plan. Military families need to consider special estate-planning issues that others do not. This is particularly true when one or more family members are
- [Three Estate Planning Mistakes Farmers and Ranchers Make and How to Avoid Them](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/mistakes-farmers-and-ranchers-make/) - Farming or ranching is more than a means of livelihood – it is about preserving a legacy and unique way of life. Unfortunately, many farmers and ranchers fail to make an estate plan. The farm or ranch that has been passed down for generations then ends up being sold and converted into non-agricultural use, cutting
- [Who's On Your Team?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/whos-on-your-team/) - Estate planning is not just about what happens to your stuff when you die. It is about coordinating all aspects of your life so (i) you can be taken care of during times when you are unable to care for yourself, and (ii) your money and property are distributed to the individuals you have selected
- [Ethical Wills: Passing on Your Wisdom and Experience to the Next Generation](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/ethical-wills/) - Each person accumulates a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and values throughout the course of their life. Regardless of whether you are financially wealthy, you have a great deal to share with your loved ones. An ethical will, sometimes also called a legacy letter, is a great way to pass on the wisdom that you have
- [It's Planning Season](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/its-planning-season/) - For each season, there is planning that you must do. In order to be successful, this planning must be done thoughtfully and in advance. To properly plan for the next season in your life and the lives of your family, a thoughtful estate plan is a must. Below are a few documents to consider when
- [Identity Theft: Not Just an Issue for the Living](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/identity-theft-not-just-an-issue/) - Identity theft is the last thing a grieving family should have to worry about after the loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, identity thieves have increasingly targeted the identities of deceased people, using their names and other identifying information to get credit cards, apply for loans, collect refunds based on fraudulent tax returns, and even
- [Missed a Required Minimum Distribution? Here's How to Fix It](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/missed-a-rmd/) - The retirement years are supposed to be carefree—but what if you neglected to take the required minimum distribution (RMD) from one or more of your retirement accounts or took a distribution that was lower than required? This could be a costly mistake resulting in a tax penalty of 50% of the amount of the distribution
- [Adopt-a-Dog Month: Love Them Today and Love Them Tomorrow with a Pet Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/adopt-a-dog-month/) - There are 3.3 million dogs housed in animal shelters each year. You can celebrate Adopt-a-Dog Month this October by adopting a homeless dog, providing it with a home, and gaining years of joy and companionship. But whether you are planning to adopt a new pet or already have one (or several), it is important not
- [Home DNA Tests: A Bump in Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/home-dna-tests/) - Discovering your ancestry can be both fun and fascinating. At-home DNA tests have grown in popularity in recent years. Often given as a unique gift for loved ones, the kits reveal details about our individual and collective pasts. However, when a test reveals an unexpected relative or biological child, your estate plan may need updating.
- [HIPAA: An Overview for Young Adults](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/hipaa-an-overview/) - The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was enacted to provide guidelines to the healthcare industry for protecting patient information and privacy. For minors, this is a non-issue because parents, as legal guardians, have access to their children’s medical information and are the ones making most of the medical decisions, as
- [Can I Refuse an Inheritance?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/can-i-refuse-an-inheritance/) - Why would anyone want to refuse an inheritance? Although it is surprising to many, there are several circumstances when declining an inheritance can be beneficial. The law does permit you to refuse an inheritance if you comply with certain strict requirements. The legal term for a refusal of an inheritance is a “disclaimer,” which is
- [Funeral Planning: How Memorial Instruction Can Help](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-memorial-instruction-can-help/) - No one enjoys thinking about their own funeral, but making those arrangements in advance yourself may be one of the most thoughtful acts you can do for your loved ones. More and more people are including funeral planning as part of their estate plan, sparing their grieving families from having to make hasty arrangements during
- [Will vs. Trust: Which is Right for You?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/will-vs-trust-which-is-right-for-you/) - When you sit down to create your estate plan, there are likely dozens of questions running through your mind. Who should get possession of your home? Who should run the family business? Will you create a college fund for your grandkids? What charity should you donate to? Before you get too wrapped up in the
- [Estate Planning Is More Than Just Death Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-is-more-than-just-death-planning/) - Many believe that estate planning is simply instructions on how to distribute your assets when you pass away, but the reality is that proper estate planning can do much more. While one major benefit of estate planning is to provide for your family and friends when you are gone, there are many benefits for you
- [What to Bring to Your First Meeting with the Estate Planning Attorney](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-to-bring-to-your-first-meeting-with-the-estate-planning-attorney/) - If you are thinking about putting together an estate plan, it is important to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in this area of law. Your initial meeting with an estate planning attorney is a good opportunity to discuss your family’s financial situation as well as your concerns and goals. If you
- [Four Tips for Avoiding a Contested Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/four-tips-for-avoiding-a-contested-estate-plan/) - A will contest can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your estate, and tear your loved ones apart. But with proper planning, you can help your family avoid a potentially disastrous will contest. If you are concerned about challenges to your estate plan, consider the following: Do not attempt “do it yourself” solutions. If you
- [Financial Powers of Attorney](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/financial-powers-of-attorney/) - The wealth, property, and investments we accrue over a lifetime are often significant. While you have carefully managed your finances through the years, there may eventually come a time when you cannot handle such decisions. To plan for the likelihood that you are unable to manage your financial affairs, it’s important to have everything in
- [Estate Planning Is Not Just About Money](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-is-not-just-about-money/) - It is a common misconception that financial management and estate planning are reserved for the wealthy. Regardless of how much you have in the bank, you and your family can benefit from planning ahead for the future. If you fail to do so, you could leave your family scrambling if you’re suddenly incapacitated. When you
- [The Trust Protection Myth: Your Revocable Trust Protects Against Lawsuits](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/the-trust-protection-myth-your-revocable-trust-protects-against-lawsuits/) - Many people believe that once they set up a Revocable Living Trust and transfer assets into the trust, those assets are protected from lawsuits. This is absolutely not true. While Trusts commonly provide asset protection for beneficiaries, few trusts protect assets owned by the person who created the trust. No Immediate Asset Protection? Why Should
- [Who gets Your "Stuff": Four Tips for Success](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/your-personal-property-memorandum-four-tips-for-success/) - What is a personal property memorandum? It is a frequently-used estate planning document that provides an opportunity to expand upon your will or trust. Many wills or trusts simply divide the assets of an estate equally between surviving family members. But, what if you’d prefer a more detailed plan for particular items you want to
- [What Does a Discretionary Trust Mean?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-does-a-discretionary-trust-mean/) - Sometimes giving assets outright to a beneficiary – such a child, a grandchild or a loved one with special needs – is not the ideal method of distributing assets in an estate plan. In such a scenario, a discretionary trust can be a good estate planning tool. Below is some basic information on discretionary trusts
- [When is “Living Probate” Necessary?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/when-is-living-probate-necessary/) - If you become incapacitated, who is going to take care of you? You will not be able to make medical decisions for yourself and you will not be able to manage your daily affairs. If you do not have the appropriate estate plan in place, your family may be headed to the probate court long
- [Just Like You Need a Medical Checkup, Your Estate Plan Needs a Checkup!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/just-like-you-need-a-medical-checkup-your-estate-plan-needs-a-checkup/) - Whether or not you currently have estate planning documents, one important item to add to your calendar is getting an estate plan checkup. Don’t Have an Estate Plan? If you don’t already have an estate plan, then getting one in place should be at the top of your to-do list. Why? Because without an estate
- [Four Reasons Everyone Needs an Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/four-reasons-everyone-needs-an-estate-plan/) - Many people are under the impression that estate plans are only necessary for those with substantial wealth. In fact, estate plans are important for everyone who wants to plan for the future. For those unfamiliar with the concept, an estate plan coordinates the distribution of your assets upon your death. Without an estate plan, your
- [Who Benefits from an IRA Inheritance Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/who-benefits-from-an-ira-inheritance-trust/) - Most people associate wills with estate planning, but there are other strategies to help plan for the future health and financial well-being of you and your family. Using an IRA inheritance trust is one such strategy that may be beneficial to you and your loved ones. The majority of the time, the money held in
- [Is a Delayed Inheritance Really an Enhanced Inheritance?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/is-a-delayed-inheritance-really-an-enhanced-inheritance/) - Whether you have accumulated a little or a lot of wealth over your lifetime, it is likely that you have some particular thoughts on how you would like those assets to be used by loved ones after your death. Maybe you would like the assets to be used as a down payment on a home,
- [Including Frequent Flyer Miles in Estate Plans](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/including-frequent-flyer-miles-in-estate-plans/) - When celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain died, his will contained a directive leaving his frequent flyer miles to his estranged wife to “dispose of in accordance to what she believes to be his wishes.” Bourdain’s frequent flyer account was almost assuredly large. He built the latter half of his career as a globe trotter,
- [Legal Paperwork Cheat sheet: A Guide to the Top 12 Must-Have Documents](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/legal-paperwork-cheat-sheet-a-guide-to-the-top-12-must-have-documents/) - Whether you own a little or a lot, the last thing you want to do to your loved ones is leave a bureaucratic mess after you pass away or become incapacitated. Aside from mourning your passing or a significant deterioration in your health, this will cause the family additional stress. Heirs may forfeit life insurance
- [What to Do When Your Doctor Says to “Get Your Affairs in Order”](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-to-do-when-your-doctor-says-to-get-your-affairs-in-order/) - Five words no one ever wants to hear from their doctor: “Get your affairs in order.” Unfortunately, 58 percent of Americans Do not have a will or trust, and it often requires a chronic disease or terminal illness diagnosis, or other life -changing event to prompt the estate planning process. Talk to your attorney about
- [Estate Planning Tips for Someone Who Is  About to Go in for Major Surgery](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-tips-for-someone-who-is-about-to-go-in-for-major-surgery/) - Getting the news that you have to undergo major surgery is never easy. Preparing for absences from work, planning for childcare and household responsibilities, and reviewing your estate plan will be among the things you may be worrying about. But what if you only have a few weeks —or even days—to react? Who should you
- [Three Legal Things to Do After a Scary Health Diagnosis](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/three-legal-things-to-do-after-a-scary-health-diagnosis/) - A scary health diagnosis can be emotionally and logistically challenging for many reasons. For instance, how can you take care of your family if you’re physically incapacitated? In addition to working closely with your medical providers, consider these three legal tips: Review your estate plan with your attorney to make sure it is up to
- [Three Tips for Protecting Your Important Legal Paperwork in a Natural Disaster](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/three-tips-for-protecting-your-important-legal-paperwork-in-a-natural-disaster/) - The year 2018 was no stranger to natural disasters. From multiple earthquakes, back-to-back hurricanes, and raging wildfires, the United States suffered some serious natural disasters. These acts of nature can devastate your life and your family. In addition to creating a disaster preparedness plan for your family, be sure to protect your legal documents during
- [Are Any of These 11 Mistakes Lurking in Your Estate Plan?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/are-any-of-these-11-mistakes-lurking-in-your-estate-plan/) - 1) Lack of Healthcare and Disability Planning. The majority of deaths occur in hospitals or other institutions. Patients may be incapacitated to the point where they can no longer communicate their healthcare wishes. Powers of Attorney can identify decision-makers, specify wishes for end-of-life care, and provide a formal plan to control financial and property matters.
- [Help Us Help Others!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/help-us-help-others/) - We will be sponsoring a food drive with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. We will have a collection barrel in our front lobby. For every non-perishable item donated, Wilson Law Group, LLC will make a monetary donation of $5. Please join us in supporting a wonderful cause between March 1 and April 30. Second
- [Do I Need a Will or Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/do-i-need-a-will-or-trust/) - Everyone needs a will, trust, or both to ensure your legacy is passed on in the way you intend. A well-drafted plan ensures that what you do have is not wasted on court fees, establishes your intentions for sentimental items and family heirlooms, and can even state your wishes for the care of pets. For
- [What is an Inheritor’s Trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-is-an-inheritors-trust/) - When it comes to estate planning there are several types of tools you can use, depending on your circumstances. One such estate planning tool is the trust. There are numerous types of trusts aimed at fulfilling different estate planning purposes. If you are anticipating an inheritance, there is a special type of trust designed to
- [How to Manage Your Basis “Step Up”](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-manage-your-basis-step-up/) - If you or someone you know has received an inheritance, it is important for you to understand how to manage your basis “step up.” A “step up” in basis is the adjustment of the value of an appreciated asset - for tax purposes - upon inheritance. Simply put, when an asset is passed on to
- [How to Choose a Trustee](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-choose-a-trustee-2/) - When you establish a trust, you name someone to be the trustee. A trustee does what you do right now with your financial affairs - collect income, pay bills and taxes, save and invest for the future, buy and sell assets, provide for your loved ones, keep accurate records, and generally keep things organized and
- [Wills, Trusts & Dying Intestate: How They Differ](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wills-trusts-dying-intestate-how-they-differ/) - Most people understand that having some sort of an estate plan is a good thing. However, many of us don’t take the steps to have an estate plan prepared because we don’t understand the nuances between wills and trusts – and dying without either. Here is what will generally happen if you die intestate (without
- [Wills vs. Trusts: A Quick & Simple Reference Guide](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wills-vs-trusts-a-quick-simple-reference-guide/) - Confused about the differences between wills and trusts? If so, you’re not alone. While it’s always wise to contact experts like us, it’s also important to understand the basics. Here’s a quick and simple reference guide: What Revocable Living Trusts Can Do – That Wills Can’t Avoid a conservatorship and guardianship. A revocable living trust
- [Murphy’s Law and Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/murphys-law-and-estate-planning/) - As the old adage goes “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” Referred to as Murphy’s law, this well-known saying has no mercy. Sadly, estate planning is no exception to its wrath. There is hope! Below are five-estate planning mistakes and how to fix them: Incorrect guardian for your children: A will is a
- [How to Choose a Guardian for Yourself](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-choose-a-guardian-for-yourself/) - Every day we make hundreds of decisions from what to eat for breakfast to where we go on vacation. With each passing day, there are more choices to be made. What will happen if you can’t make decisions for yourself? Before that time comes, there is one important decision you need to make. Who do
- [How to Successfully Make a “Large” Gift to Your Children or Grandchildren](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-successfully-make-a-large-gift-to-your-children-or-grandchildren/) - What constitutes a “large” gift can be relative. If you are considering giving cash or property to someone, a little bit of planning can help avoid negative consequences. This is particularly true if: • The gifted amounts are over $15,000.00 • Real property is gifted • will be gifted on a regular basis • Gifts
- [Five Considerations When Selecting a Guardian for Your Children](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/five-considerations-when-selecting-a-guardian-for-your-children/) - There is no question that having children changes everything -- and estate planning is no exception. If you and your spouse pass away or become legally incapacitated, and arrangements were never made in the event of such an emergency, your minor child or children will be placed in new surroundings. Not surprisingly, such a drastic
- [3 Reasons Why Every Young Family Needs an Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/3-reasons-every-young-family-needs-estate-plan/) - On February 12, 2017,a husband and wife, both in their 30s, were driving down Highway 30 on the east side of Madison. Suddenly, a driver going the opposite direction lost control of his vehicle, drove into the ditch and then went airborne, landing on the couple’s vehicle. The couple died, leaving behind their 1-year-old twin sons.
- [WLG Celebrates with Open House and Remodel Reveal](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wlg-celebrates-open-house-remodel-reveal/) - We had a great time meeting and mixing with those who attended our Advisor's Open House. Thank you to everyone who stopped in to say hello and take the tour. Special congratulations to the following door prize winners; Lisa Schluesche of Johnson Bank, Richard Griep of Edward Jones, Mark Hammes of Thrivent Financial, Dan Bergs of Wegner CPAs. We want to extend a
- [Start Early on Farm Transfer Work](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/start-early-farm-transfer-work/) - Family dynamics - tax changes - irratic markets. All of these components can make starting conversations about estate planning difficult for Wisconsin's farm families. Dan Purtell with the Wilson Law Group estimates that 90% of Wisconsin farm families are behind on estate planning. Purtell also says that 70% of the farmland being held by the
- [Leaving a Timeshare to a Loved One](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/leaving-timeshare-loved-one/) - Many of us have been lucky enough to acquire timeshares for the purposes of vacationing on our time off. Some of us would like to leave these assets to our loved ones. If you have a time share, you might be able to leave it to your heirs in a number of different ways. One
- [Your Five Task Year-End Estate Planning To-Do List](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/your-five-task-year-end-estate-planning-to-do-list/) - The new year is fast approaching. As we all prepare for the holidays, here are some things that should be on your end-of-year checklist: 1. Make Sure Your Estate Planning is Up To Date Will or Trusts Now that the federal estate tax exemption is fixed at $10 million per person adjusted for inflation ($11.18
- [Planning on Giving Money this Holiday Season? Five Things to Consider](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/planning-on-giving-money-this-holiday-season-five-things-to-consider/) - The holiday season is a time to enjoy friends, family, and loved ones. Often, we consider our life circumstances and may get in the spirit of giving. This is particularly true if you are at a point in your life where you have enough from a financial standpoint. What to Consider When Giving Sharing your
- [Six Events Which May Require a Change in Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/six-events-which-may-require-a-change-in-your-estate-plan/) - Creating an estate plan is not a one-time event. You should review your plan periodically, to ensure it is up to date, and make necessary changes if your personal situation changes. There are a number of life-changing events that require your plan to be revised, including: Change in Marital Status: If you have were recently
- [How an Estate Planning Letter of Intent Can Help Your Family](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-an-estate-planning-letter-of-intent-can-help-your-family/) - Estate planning is an important task that everyone should undertake as it helps to protect your family and their financial future. However, estate planning can do much more than focus on finances. One aspect of estate planning that is often overlooked is the letter of intent. This document is typically prepared in conjunction with an
- [Digital Afterlife: An Estate Plan for Your Facebook Account](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/digital-afterlife-an-estate-plan-for-your-facebook-account/) - Did you ever wonder what happens to your digital footprint when you pass away? As the internet has become more of an integral part of our lives, our information -- pictures, videos, finances, emails, social media accounts, and other personal information -- is constantly being stored online. All of this information is known as “digital
- [Why New Parents Need an Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/why-new-parents-need-an-estate-plan/) - Becoming a new parent is a life-changing experience, and caring for a child is an awesome and joyful responsibility. This is also the time to think about your child's future by asking an important question: who will care for your child if you become disabled or die? The best way to put your mind at
- [Things to Consider in Establishing a Charitable Giving Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/things-to-consider-in-establishing-a-charitable-giving-plan/) - For many individuals, leaving a legacy of charity is an important component of estate planning, but there are many factors involved in creating a charitable giving plan. First, it is important to select causes that you believe in such as environmental, educational, religious or medical, or those dedicated to providing food and shelter to the
- [You’ve Finally Done Your Healthcare Directives – Now What?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/youve-finally-done-healthcare-directives-now-2/) - These important documents can mean the difference between your health care wishes being carried out or family members fighting over whether you should be placed in a nursing home or removed from life support. Healthcare directives usually include both a healthcare power of attorney and a living will, or a form which is a combination
- [Why Not Just Go Online and Create Your Own Estate Planning Documents Cheaply?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/not-just-go-online-create-estate-planning-documents-cheaply/) - There are many software programs, as well as websites, that sell do-it-yourself estate planning documents. These websites seem to offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to consulting with an estate planning attorney. But do they really meet your needs and protect your family? Is online, do-it-yourself estate planning worth the perceived upfront savings? Penny Wise
- [Beneficiary Designations and a Blended Family: Why You Need to Think Before You Sign](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/beneficiary-designations-blended-family-need-think-sign/) - Whether you are in your first marriage or have remarried after a divorce, blended families are a common part of modern society. That being said, it is important to understand that blended families and subsequent marriages create important and unique issues when it comes to estate planning. You may need to account for a prior
- [A Trust for Fluffy or Fido?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/trust-fluffy-fido/) - Why Every Pet Parent Needs to Consider a Pet Trust Today Estate planning is about protecting what’s important to you. Although much of the traditional estate planning conversations focus on surviving spouses, children, and grandchildren, many pet parents wonder about what could happen to their “furry children” after their death or if they become incapacitated
- [How to Fix Five Common Estate Planning Problems](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/fix-five-common-estate-planning-problems/) - Not surprisingly, most people put off reviewing their estate plan because it can be both confusing and daunting. Others do not want to think about death and avoid the topic altogether. If you already have put an estate plan together, you are ahead of the curve as many people do not have one. If you
- [Retirement Accounts and Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/retirement-accounts-estate-planning/) - For many Americans, retirement accounts comprise a substantial portion of their wealth. When planning your estate, it is important to consider the ramifications of tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as 401(k) and 403(b) accounts and traditional IRAs. (Roth IRAs are not tax-deferred accounts and are therefore treated differently). One of the primary goals of any estate
- [Umbrella Insurance: What It Is and Why You Need It](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/umbrella-insurance-need/) - Lawsuits are everywhere. What happens when you are found to be at fault in an accident, and a significant judgment is entered against you? A child dives head-first into the shallow end of your swimming pool, becomes paralyzed, and needs in-home medical care for the rest of his or her lifetime. Or, you accidentally rear-end
- [Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-unmarried-couples/) - Estate planning is important for everyone. We simply don’t know when something tragic could happen such as sudden death or an accident that could leave us incapacitated. With proper planning, families who are dealing with the unexpected experience fewer headaches and less expense associated with managing affairs after incapacity or administering an estate after death.
- [Should You Withdraw Your Social Security Benefits Early?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/withdraw-social-security-benefits-early/) - You don’t have to be retired to dip into your Social Security benefits which are available to you as early as age 62. But is the early withdrawal worth the costs? A quick visit to the U.S. Social Security Administration Retirement Planner website can help you figure out just how much money you’ll receive if
- [Remarried? Protect Your Children with Proper Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/remarried-protect-children-proper-planning/) - If you are married for the first time and are working on your estate plan, the decisions about where the assets go are usually easy. Most parents in that situation want their entire estate to go to the surviving spouse, and upon the death of the surviving spouse, equally to their children. There may be
- [Do Heirs Have to Pay Off Their Loved One's Debts?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/heirs-pay-off-loved-ones-debts/) - The recent economic recession, and staggering increases in health care costs have left millions of Americans facing incredible losses and mounting debt in their final years. Are you concerned that, rather than inheriting wealth from your parents, you will instead inherit bills? The good news is, you probably won’t have to pay them. As you
- [Gun Trusts: Targeted Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/gun-trusts-targeted-estate-planning/) - If you have a gun collection, your estate plan may be missing the mark if it fails to include a specially drafted gun trust. The typical estate plan provides for tax saving strategies, probate avoidance and beneficiary designation of various assets. However, some assets pose additional issues that must be carefully addressed to avoid unintended
- [Common Estate Planning Myths](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/common-estate-planning-myths/) - Estate planning is a powerful tool that among other things, enables you to direct exactly how your assets will be handled upon your death or disability. A well-crafted estate plan will ensure you and your family avoid the hassles of guardianship, conservatorship, probate or unpleasant estate tax surprises. Unfortunately, many individuals have fallen victim to
- [Six Events Which Can Trigger Will Revisions](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/six-events-can-trigger-will-revisions/) - Creating a Will is not a one-time event. You should review your will periodically, to ensure it is up to date, and make necessary changes if your personal situation, or that of your executor or beneficiaries, has changed. There are a number of life-changing events that require your Will to be revised, including: Change in
- [Veteran's Aid & Attendance Benefit: Avoid Scams and Get Trustworthy Advice](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/veterans-aid-attendance-benefit-avoid-scams-get-trustworthy-advice/) - Many veterans are unaware of the Aid and Attendance benefit, a component of the Veteran’s Administration Improved Pension that was designed to provide much-needed financial help to elderly veterans and their spouses. Even veterans who know about this pension benefit, however, are frequently targeted by scam artists attempting to take advantage of elderly or infirm
- [Medicare vs. Medicaid: Similarities and Differences](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/medicare-vs-medicaid-similarities-differences/) - With such similar sounding names, many Americans mistake Medicare and Medicaid programs for one another, or presume the programs are as similar as their names. While both are government-run programs, there are many important differences. Medicare provides senior citizens, the disabled and the blind with medical benefits. Medicaid, on the other hand, provides healthcare benefits
- [Wilson Law Group Welcomes New Attorney-Christopher Martin](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wilson-law-group-welcomes-new-attorney-christopher-martin/) - NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wilson Law Group, LLC Announces New Attorney Madison, WI (September 3, 2013) -- Wilson Law Group, LLC announces that Christopher D. Martin has joined the law firm as an associate attorney. Attorney Martin will focus his practice on Estate Planning, Business Planning, and Trust Administration. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts
- [National Estate Planning Awareness Week](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/national-estate-planning-awareness-week-2/) - MADISON, WI, October 1, 2013 PRESS RELEASE -- October 21-27, 2013 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, As proclaimed by Congress in 2008. The congressional resolution noted that "Many Americans are unaware that lack of estate planning and financial illiteracy may cause their assets to be disposed of to unintended parties by default through the complex process of
- [A Living Will or Health Care Power of Attorney? Or Do I Need Both?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/living-will-health-care-power-attorney-need/) - Many people are confused by these two important estate planning documents. It’s important to understand the functions of each and ensure you are fully protected by incorporating both of these documents into your overall estate plan. A “living will,” often called a declaration to physicians, is a legal document setting forth your wishes for end-of-life
- [Moving to Another State and How it Affects Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/moving-another-state-affects-estate-planning/) - In general, wills or living trusts that are valid in one state should be valid in all states. However, if you’ve recently moved, it’s highly recommended that you consult an estate planning attorney in your new state. This is because states can have very different laws regarding all aspects of estate planning. For example, some
- [8 Estate Planning Things to Do Before You Travel](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/8-estate-planning-things-travel/) - Before any trip, most of us create a “to-do list” of things we have put off and want to take care of before we leave. Here is a checklist of estate planning things to do before you take your next trip. Taking care of these will help you travel with peace of mind, knowing that
- [What's Involved in Serving as an Executor?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/whats-involved-serving-executor/) - An executor is the person designated in a Will as the individual who is responsible for performing a number of tasks necessary to wind down the decedent’s affairs. Generally, the executor’s responsibilities involve taking charge of the deceased person’s assets, notifying beneficiaries and creditors, paying the estate’s debts and distributing the property to the beneficiaries.
- [Year End Gifts](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/year-end-gifts/) - If you’re like most people, you want to make sure you and your loved ones pay the least amount of tax possible. Many use year-end gift giving as a way to transfer wealth to younger generations and also reduce the overall potential estate tax that will be due upon their death. Below are some steps
- [Educational Programs for the Farm Community](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/educational-programs-farm-community/) - Planting the Seeds for a Secure Future Join us for a program exclusively for the farm community hosted by Wilson Law Group of Madison Protect your farm from undesired estate taxes Preserve your assets from the cost of nursing home care Position for the sale of your farm without capital gains and more! 8 DIFFERENT
- [Estate Planning for Young Families](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-young-families/) - Many young families put off estate planning because they are young and healthy, or because they don’t think they can afford it. But even a healthy, young adult can be taken suddenly by an accident or illness. And while none of us expects to die while our family is young, planning for the possibility is
- [What is Estate Tax Portability and How Does it Affect Me?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-tax-portability-affect/) - At the end of 2012, the entire country watched as major changes were made to income tax laws with the adoption of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA). The act also made significant changes in estate tax laws. Estate Tax Portability One important change is that the estate tax portability law is now
- [National Estate Planning Awareness Week](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/national-estate-planning-awareness-week/) - MADISON, WI, October 1, 2013 PRESS RELEASE -- October 21-27, 2013 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week, As proclaimed by Congress in 2008. The congressional resolution noted that "Many Americans are unaware that lack of estate planning and financial illiteracy may cause their assets to be disposed of to unintended parties by default through the complex process of
- [Changing Uses for Bypass Trusts](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/changing-uses-bypass-trusts/) - Every year, each individual who dies in the U.S. can leave a certain amount of money to his or her heirs before facing any federal estate taxes. For example, in 2013, a person who died could leave $5.25 million to his or her heirs (or a charity) estate tax free, and everything over that amount
- [Estate Planning: The Medicaid Asset Protection Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-medicaid-asset-protection-trust/) - The irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust has proven to be a highly effective estate planning tool for many older Americans. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is right for you and your family. This brief overview is designed to give you a starting point for discussions with
- [Self-Settled vs. Third-Party Special Needs Trusts](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/self-settled-vs-third-party-special-needs-trusts/) - Special needs trusts allow individuals with disabilities to qualify for need-based government assistance while maintaining access to additional assets which can be used to pay for expenses not covered by such government benefits. If the trust is set up correctly, the beneficiary will not risk losing eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental
- [Joint Bank Accounts and Medicaid Eligibility](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/joint-bank-accounts-medicaid-eligibility/) - Like most governmental benefit programs, there are many myths surrounding Medicaid and eligibility for benefits. One of the most common myths is the belief that only 50% of the funds in a jointly-owned bank account will be considered an asset for the purposes of calculating Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid is a needs-based program that is administered
- [Protecting Your Legacy with Estate Tax Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/protecting-legacy-estate-tax-planning/) - You spend your whole life building your legacy but sadly, that is not always enough. Without careful estate tax planning, much of it could be lost to taxes or misdirected. While a will or living trust is essential for dividing your estate as you wish, an estate tax plan ensures you pass on as much
- [How to Choose a Trustee](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/how-to-choose-a-trustee/) - When you establish a trust, you name someone to be the trustee. A trustee basically does what you do right now with your financial affairs—collect income, pay bills and taxes, save and invest for the future, buy and sell assets, provide for your loved ones, keep accurate records and generally keep things organized and in
- [Who Should Be Your Successor Trustee?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/who-should-be-your-successor-trustee/) - If you have a revocable living trust, you probably named yourself as trustee so you can continue to manage your own financial affairs, but eventually someone will need to step in for you when you are no longer able to act due to incapacity or after your death. The Successor Trustee plays an important role
- [Upcoming RWay Member Workshop-Trustee Training](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/upcoming-RWay-member-workshop-trustee-training/) - Saturday, February 15, 2014 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. UW Agricultural Research Station - 8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, 53593 Located at: 8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, 53593 Who should attend: Anyone who may serve as a trustee or successor trustee for a living trust. This includes the surviving spouse, adult children or others you have named
- [Senior Citizens Comprise Growing Demographic of Bankruptcy Filers](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/senior-citizens-comprise-growing-demographic-bankruptcy-filers/) - It’s called your “golden years” but for many seniors and baby boomers, there is no gold and retirement savings are too often insufficient to maintain even basic living standards of retirees. In fact, a recent study by the University of Michigan found that baby boomers are the fastest growing age group filing for bankruptcy. And
- [8 Things to Consider When Selecting a Caregiver for Your Senior Parent](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/8-things-consider-selecting-caregiver-senior-parent/) - As a child of a senior citizen, you are faced with many choices in helping to care for your parent. You want the very best care for your mother or father, but you also have to take into consideration your personal needs, family obligations and finances. When choosing a caregiver for a loved one, there
- [Young and Ill, without Advance Directives](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/young-ill-without-advance-directives/) - When you are a child, your parents serve as your decision makers. They have ultimate say in where you go to school, what extracurricular activities you partake in and where, and how you should be treated in the event of a medical emergency. While most parents continue to play a huge role in their children’s
- [Should You Disinherit a Child?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/should-you-disinherit-a-child/) - Most parents choose to leave their estates equally to their children. But sometimes, parents intentionally choose to not leave anything to a child. There may be a legitimate reason: one child has been more financially successful than the others; not wanting a special needs child to lose government benefits; or not wanting to leave an
- [What to Do After a Loved One Passes Away](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/loved-one-passes-away/) - The loss of a loved one is a difficult time, often made more stressful when one has to handle the affairs of the deceased. This may be a great undertaking or rather minimal work, depending upon the level of estate planning done prior to death. Tasks that have to be performed after the passing of
- [What is Estate Recovery?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-is-estate-recovery/) - Medicaid is a federal health program for individuals with low income and financial resources that is administered by each state. This program is intended to help individuals and couples pay for the cost of health care and nursing home care. Most people are surprised to learn that Medicare (the health insurance available to all people
- [The "Sandwich Generation'- Taking Care of Your Kids While Taking Care of Your Parents](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/sandwich-generation-taking-care-kids-taking-care-parents/) - “The sandwich generation” is the term given to adults who are raising children and simultaneously caring for elderly or infirm parents. Your children are one piece of “bread,” your parents are the other piece of “bread,” and you are “sandwiched” into the middle. Caring for parents at the same time as you care for your
- [Protecting Your Vacation Home with a Cabin Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/protecting-vacation-home-cabin-trust/) - Many people own a family vacation home--a lakeside cabin, a beachfront condo--a place where parents, children and grandchildren can gather for vacations, holidays and a bit of relaxation. It is important that the treasured family vacation home be considered as part of a thorough estate plan. In many cases, the owner wants to ensure that
- [Estate Planning Don'ts](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-donts/) - Preparing for the future is an uncertain business, but there are steps you can take during your lifetime to simplify matters for your loved ones after you pass, and to ensure your final wishes are carried out. Planning for what happens to your property, or who cares for your family members, upon your death can
- [Naming a Guardian for Your Minor Children](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/naming-guardian-minor-children/) - Parents with minor children need to name someone to raise them (a guardian) in the event both parents should die before the child becomes an adult. While the likelihood of that actually happening is slim, the consequences of not naming a guardian are great. If no guardian is named in the parent’s will, a judge—a
- [Coordinating Property Ownership and Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/coordinating-property-ownership-estate-plan/) - When planning your estate, you must consider how you hold title to your real and personal property. The title and your designated beneficiaries will control how your real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, vehicles and investments are distributed upon your death, regardless of whether there is a will or trust in place and potentially with
- [Upcoming RWay Member Workshop](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/upcoming-RWay-member-workshop-3/) - Funding Your Trust Saturday, April 12, 2014 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. UW Agricultural Research Station-8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, WI 53593 Who should attend: RWay Members Funding is a critical function of maintaining your trust. Even though your current assets are in your trust, it is your responsibility to make sure that all assets acquired in
- [Preparing to Meet with an Estate Planning Attorney](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/preparing-meet-estate-planning-attorney/) - A thorough and complete estate plan must take into account a significant amount of information about your assets, your family, your property, and your wishes during and after your life. When you make your first appointment with an estate planning attorney, ask the attorney or the paralegal if they can provide a written list of
- [Overview of Life Estates](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/overview-life-estates/) - Establishing a Life Estate is a relatively simple process in which you transfer your property to your children, while retaining your right to use and live in the property. Life Estates are used to avoid probate, maximize tax benefits and protect the real property from potential long-term care expenses you may incur in your later
- [Young Adults Need Estate Planning, Too](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/young-adults-need-estate-planning/) - Once a child turns 18, parents lose the legal ability to make decisions for their child or even to find out basic information. Learning you cannot see your college student’s grades without his/her permission can be mildly frustrating. But a medical emergency can take this frustration to a completely different level. The parents (or a
- [WLG Client Newsletter-Spring 2014](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wlg-client-newsletter-spring-2014/) - In case you missed it, check out the latest WLG Client Newsletter! If you would like to receive our newsletter by email, please contact Jen at jen.saari@wilsonlawgroup.com
- [Spendthrift Trusts](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/spendthrift-trusts/) - Unfortunately, not everyone in the world is responsible with money. Even those who are moneywise can run into bad luck in life which could cause them financial hardship. So when planning your estate, you should think twice about leaving a large sum of money to someone who can’t handle it. For those beneficiaries for whom
- [Family Business: Preserving Your Legacy for Generations to Come](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/family-business-preserving-legacy-generations-come/) - Your family-owned business is not just one of your most significant assets, it is also your legacy. Both must be protected by implementing a transition plan to arrange for transfer to your children or other loved ones upon your retirement or death. More than 70 percent of family businesses do not survive the transition to
- [Organize Information for Your Family](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/organize-information-family/) - Think for a few moments about what would happen if you suddenly became incapacitated or died. Would your spouse or family know what to do? Would they know where to find important records, assets and insurance documents? Would they be able to access (or even know about) online accounts or files on your computer? Would
- [Upcoming Professional Advisors Lunch Program](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/upcoming-professional-advisors-lunch-program/) - The New Wisconsin Trust Code Effective July 1, 2014 Wednesday, May 14, 2014 11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M. UW Agricultural Research Station8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, WI 53593 On December 12, 2013 Governor Walker signed into law the Wisconsin Trust Code (WTC). This new legislation's effective date is July 1, 2014. While the WTC is primarily a
- [A Shared Home but Not a Joint Deed](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/shared-home-not-joint-deed/) - A Shared Home but Not a Joint Deed Many people erroneously assume that when one spouse dies, the other spouse receives all of the remaining assets; this is often not true and frequently results in unintentional disinheritance of the surviving spouse. In cases where a couple shares a home but only one spouse’s name is
- [Upcoming Seminar for Professional Advisors](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/upcoming-seminar-professional-advisors/) - Planning for Asset Protection - "Creditors, Divorce, & Taxes, Oh My!!" Asset protection is vitally important in our litigious society, and more wealth planning teams are needed who understand the intricacies of this area and can collaboratively implement advanced strategies. Whether you create the entire plan for the client, or you are creating additional asset
- [Can I Get In Trouble with the IRS for Trying to Reduce the Amount of Estate Tax that I Owe?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/can-get-trouble-irs-trying-reduce-amount-estate-tax-owe/) - You’ve likely heard that one of the many benefits of estate planning is reducing the amount of federal, and state, taxes owed upon your passing. While it may seem like estate tax planning must run afoul of IRS rules, with the proper strategies, this is far from the case. It is very common for an
- [2013 Changes to Federal Estate Tax Laws](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/2013-changes-federal-estate-tax-laws/) - Changes to income taxes grabbed the lion’s share of the attention as the President and Congress squabbled over how to halt the country’s journey towards the “fiscal cliff.” However, negotiations over exemptions and tax rates for estate taxes, gift taxes and generation-skipping taxes also occurred on Capitol Hill, albeit with less fanfare. The primary fear
- [Charitable Giving](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/charitable-giving/) - Many people give to charity during their lives, but unfortunately too few Americans take advantage of the benefits of incorporating charitable giving into their estate plans. By planning ahead, you can save on income and estate taxes, provide a meaningful contribution to the charity of your choice, and even guarantee a steady stream of income
- [Utilizing Family Limited Partnerships as Part of Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/utilizing-family-limited-partnerships-part-estate-plan/) - Designed to preserve family businesses for future generations, Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) can help shelter your assets and reduce overall estate and gift taxes. FLPs are commonly used as part of business succession planning or business continuity plans, and often serve as an integral component of an estate plan for high net worth individuals. A
- [Preparing Your Family for an Emergency during School Hours](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/preparing-family-emergency-school-hours/) - Every family should establish a clear plan to handle an emergency that occurs during school hours. Unfortunately, many parents mistakenly believe that filling out the school’s emergency card is sufficient. Sadly, this practice falls far short of what is truly necessary to protect your children in the event something tragic happens to you during the
- [Should I Transfer My Home to My Children?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/transfer-home-children/) - Most people are aware that probate should be avoided if at all possible. It is an expensive, time-consuming process that exposes your family’s private matters to public scrutiny via the judicial system. It sounds simple enough to just gift your property to your children while you are still alive, so it is not subject to
- [Happy Memorial Day from Wilson Law Group!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-memorial-day-wilson-law-group/) - Did you know that each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time? Take a moment this Memorial Day to reflect and appreciate those who have served this beautiful country. Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend!
- [Treating Children Fairly Does Not Necessarily Mean Equally](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/treating-children-fairly-not-necessarily-mean-equally/) - Treating Children Fairly Does Not Necessarily Mean Equally Most parents want to treat their children fairly in their estate planning, and many assume that means having their children inherit equally. But fair does not necessarily mean equal. There may be special circumstances to consider. For example, parents may want to provide more to a child
- [Upcoming RWay Member Workshop](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/upcoming-RWay-member-workshop-2/) - Trustee Training (The Trust Process) Thursday, June 12, 2014 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. UW Agricultural Research Station- 8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, WI 53593 Who should attend: Anyone who may serve as a trustee or successor trustee for a living trust. This includes the surviving spouse, adult children or others you have named in your trust
- [Living Trusts and Probate Avoidance](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/living-trusts-probate-avoidance/) - You want your money and property to go to your loved ones when you die, not to the courts, lawyers or the government. Unfortunately, unless you’ve done proper estate planning, your heirs could lose a sizable portion of their inheritance to probate court fees and expenses. A properly-crafted and “funded” living trust is the ideal
- [Preventing a Will Contest & Preserving Peace in the Family](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/preventing-will-contest-preserving-peace-family/) - The purpose of writing a Last Will and Testament is to make sure that you – and not an anonymous probate court judge – have control over the distribution of your property after your death. If one or more family members disputes the instructions in your will, however, then it is possible that a probate
- [Upcoming RWay Member Workshop](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/upcoming-RWay-member-workshop/) - Trustee Training-The Administrative Process Thursday, June 19, 2014 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. UW Agricultural Research Station- 8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, WI 53593 Who should attend: This program is designed for your successor trustees. Prior attendance at the Trustee Training (The Trust Process) program is highly encouraged. The Administrative Process workshop will provide trustees with a detailed
- [Estate Planning After Divorce](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-divorce/) - One area that is often overlooked in the divorce process is the need to update estate planning. Most people would agree that their ex-spouse is the last person they want to inherit their assets when they die—or to have that person make life and death decisions for them. But that is exactly what can happen
- [When Should You Begin Taking Social Security](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/begin-taking-social-security/) - Many clients want to know whether they should start drawing Social Security at age 62 or should they wait until full retirement age or even longer. Since the amount of monthly benefit will be reduced by 25% at age 62, compared to full retirement age, you cannot take this decision lightly. The age at which
- [Happy Father's Day from Wilson Law Group!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-fathers-day-wilson-law-group/) - On July 19, 1910, the governor of Washington state proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day". However, it was not until 1972 that the day became a nationwide holiday in the United States. Have a Happy Father's day weekend!
- [The New Wisconsin Trust Code: effective July 1, 2014](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/new-wisconsin-trust-code-effective-july-1-2014/) - Wisconsin has never been considered a leading jurisdiction for the creation and administration of trusts. Thanks to years of volunteer work by some dedicated Wisconsin attorneys, that perception will change significantly on July 1, 2014, when the new Wisconsin Trust Code will go into effect and replace the current Chapter 701 of the Wisconsin statutes.
- [Happy Independence Day](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-independence-day/) - Did you know? During the summer of 1776 some colonists celebrated the birth of independence by holding mock funerals for King George III, as a way of symbolizing the end of the monarchy’s hold on America and the triumph of liberty. Festivities including concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied
- [Divestment or No Divestment?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/divestment-no-divestment/) - Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance or Title 19, is a government program that subsidizes the long-term care expenses of needy individuals who meet specific asset and income requirements. In short, individuals are expected to exhaust their own assets to pay for their long-term care expenses before government resources will be made available. In the
- [Incorporating Faith and Values in Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/incorporating-faith-values-estate-planning/) - For many, passing along religious beliefs or values to the next generation is just as important as passing along financial wealth and tangible assets. Estate planning creates many opportunities to do this, including: * End-of-Life Care. A health care power of attorney (Advance Directive in some states) lets you name someone to make medical decisions for
- [Limited Liability Company (LLC): An Overview](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/limited-liability-company-llc-overview/) - The limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid type of business structure, offering business owners the best of both worlds: the simplicity of a sole proprietorship or partnership, with the liability protection of a corporation. A limited liability company consists of one or more owners (called “members”) who actively manage the company’s business affairs. LLCs
- [How Do I Manage My Property If I Am Incapacitated?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/manage-property-incapacitated/) - The most common method of managing property during incapacity is using the Power of Attorney. In a Power of Attorney you, “the principal,” name a chosen “Agent” to exercise legal authority on your behalf as if you were performing the task yourself. Powers of Attorney can be very broad, authorizing any act that you could
- [Common Estate Planning Mistakes Regarding IRAs](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/common-estate-planning-mistakes-regarding-iras/) - For many people, retirement savings accounts are among the largest assets they have to bequeath to their children and grandchildren in their estate plans. Sadly, without professional and personally tailored advice about how best to include IRAs in one’s estate plan, there may be a failure to take advantage of techniques that will maximize the
- [Should I Have a Health Care Power of Attorney](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/health-care-power-attorney/) - Each state has laws that authorizes its residents to create a special Power of Attorney in which you designate an Agent to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. The Power of Attorney for Health Care (POA-HC) can also be used to provide instructions to your Agent concerning
- [You've Finally Done Your Healthcare Directives--Now What?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/youve-finally-done-healthcare-directives-now/) - Healthcare directives can be vitally important, as recent cases, like that of Terry Schiavo, clearly brought to light. These important documents can mean the difference between your health care wishes being carried out or family members fighting over whether a loved one should be placed in a nursing home or removed from life support. Healthcare
- [What Does the Term "Funding the Trust" Mean in Estate Planning?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/term-funding-trust-mean-estate-planning/) - If you are about to begin the estate planning process, you have likely heard the term "funding the trust" thrown around a great deal. What does this mean? And what will happen if you fail to fund the trust? The phrase, or term, "funding the trust" refers to the process of titling your assets into
- [Providing For Your Parents in Your Estate Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/providing-parents-estate-plan/) - If you are part of the baby boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964), you may also find that you are a member of the sandwich generation, with responsibilities to both your parents (now or in the future) and your children. This should change the way you think about estate planning—instead of the traditional approach
- [Happy Labor Day Weekend](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-labor-day-weekend/) - Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Wishing you all a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend from Wilson Law Group!
- [Estate Planning: How Certificates of Shares Are Passed Down](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-certificates-shares-passed/) - How is the funding of company stock handled if you decide to use a living trust? Certificates represent shares of a company. There are generally two types of company shares: those for a publicly traded company, and those for a privately held company, which is not traded on one of the stock exchanges. Let's assume
- [Paying for Your Grandchildren's Education](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/paying-grandchildrens-education/) - The bond between a grandparent and grandchild is a very special one based on respect, trust and unconditional love. When preparing one’s estate plan, it’s not at all uncommon to find grandparents who want to leave much or all of their estate to their grandchildren. With college tuition costs on the rise, many seniors are
- [Advance Planning Can Help Relieve the Worries of Alzheimer's Disease](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/advance-planning-can-help-relieve-worries-alzheimers-disease/) - The “ostrich syndrome” is part of human nature; it’s unpleasant to observe that which frightens us. However, pulling our heads from the sand and making preparations for frightening possibilities can provide significant emotional and psychological relief from fear. When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, more Americans fear being unable to
- [9/11 Rememberance](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/9-11-rememberance/) - We take the time out on this Patriots Day to remember the those who were affected by the events on September 11, 2001. You will always by in our hearts.
- [Refusing a Bequest](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/refusing-a-bequest/) - Most people develop an estate plan as a way to transfer wealth, property and their legacies on to loved ones upon their passing. This transfer, however, isn’t always as seamless as one may assume, even with all of the correct documents in place. What happens if your eldest son doesn’t want the family vacation home
- [Your Wishes in Your Words](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/your-wishes-in-your-words/) - During the estate planning process, your attorney will draft a number of legal documents such as a will, trust and power of attorney which will help you accomplish your goals. While these legal documents are required for effective planning, they may not sufficiently convey your thoughts and wishes to your loved ones in your own
- [Overview: Buy-Sell Agreements and Your Small Business](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/overview-buy-sell-agreements-small-business/) - If you co-own a business, you need a buy-sell agreement. Also called a buyout agreement, this document is essentially the business world’s equivalent of a prenup. An effective buy-sell agreement helps prevent conflict between the company’s owners, while also preserving the company’s closely held status. Any business with more than one owner should address this
- [Attorney Wayne Wilson Interviews with Madison Magazine](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/attorney-wayne-wilson-interviews-madison-magazine/) - Click here to check out Attorney Wayne Wilson's interview with Madison Magazine on 'Planning for the Future'.
- [Issues to Consider When Gifting to Grandchildren](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/issues-consider-gifting-grandchildren/) - Many grandparents who are financially stable love the idea of making gifts to their grandchildren. However, they are usually not aware of the myriad of issues that surround what they may consider to be a simple gift. If you are considering making a significant gift to a grandchild, you should consult with a qualified attorney
- [RWay Client Workshop - LegalVault](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/RWay-client-workshop-legalvault/) - Thursday, October 23, 2014 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. UW Agricultural Research Station Located at: 8502 Mineral Point Road, Verona, WI 53593 Who should attend: Anyone who would like to learn more about the benefits and functions of their LegalVault account. LegalVault enables you to keep track and review your documents outside of your
- [It's Not Just the Law...It's How the Law Affects You](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/not-just-law-law-affects/) - One of the most common questions I, as an estate planning attorney, am asked is whether a will or a trust should be used to plan an estate. Wills are the most well known and have traditionally been used to transfer assets at time of death, but over the past 20 years there has been
- [The Value of Having a "Plan" in Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/value-plan-estate-planning/) - All too often, estate planning is viewed as a transaction: a will, a living trust, powers of attorney, etc. But the best planning happens when the professional can get to know the client on a deeper level, to uncover hopes, dreams and aspirations. It becomes more about family and values, and it becomes a process
- [Long-Term Care Planning, Part 1](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/long-term-care-planning-part-1/) - A Central Requirement Health care has been the topic of discussion lately, but the greatest threat to your financial health is long-term care. This is the kind of care you need if you are not able to perform normal daily activities (such as eating, dressing, bathing and toileting) without help, and it is expected that
- [Long Term Care Planning, Part 2](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/long-term-care-planning-part-2/) - Your Funding Options The first part of planning for long-term care is realizing that, a) most of us will need this kind of care for at least some time before we die and b) the cost of this care can be financially devastating for a family if it is not planned for in advance. This
- [Happy Halloween!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-halloween-2/) - Did You Know?... One quarter of all the candy sold annually in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween. From everyone here at Wilson Law Group, have a safe and happy Halloween weekend!
- [Daylight Savings](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/daylight-savings/) - Done forget to "fall back," and turn your clocks back one hour this Sunday!
- [Why Does a Living Trust Cost More than a Will?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/living-trust-cost-will/) - It will probably cost more initially to set up a well-drafted living trust than to have a will prepared. A true cost comparison should include not only the expense to establish the will or trust, but also what it will cost should you become incapacitated and after you die. The Key Takeaways: • A living
- [Happy Veterans' Day](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-veterans-day/) - Did You Know? On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, a temporary cessation of hostilities, or armistice, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a
- [Year End Estate Planning Tip #1 - Check Your Estate Tax Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/year-end-estate-planning-tip-1-check-estate-tax-planning/) - With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the time to fine tune your estate plan before you get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season. One area that married couples should revisit is their estate tax planning. Do You Still Have “AB Trust” Planning in Your Estate Plan? If you’re
- [Year End Estate Planning Tip #2 - Beneficiary Designations](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/year-end-estate-planning-tip-2-beneficiary-designations/) - With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the time to fine tune your estate plan before you get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season. One area of planning that many people overlook is their beneficiary designations. Have You Checked Your Beneficiary Designations Lately? Do you own any life insurance
- [Happy Thanksgiving](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-thanksgiving/) - Did you know? According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of
- [How to Make a Family Meeting a Successful Part of the Estate Planning Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/make-family-meeting-successful-part-estate-planning-process/) - You have made the hard decisions, your documents are signed, your trust is funded, a business succession plan is in place. Congratulations, you have finished your estate planning. But have you, really? Have you explained your planning to your family? Will they understand how your plan will work and what they may need to do
- [U.S. Supreme Court Rules Inherited IRAs are Not Protected from Creditors](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/u-s-supreme-court-rules-inherited-iras-not-protected-creditors/) - On June 12, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court—in a unanimous decision—ruled that Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) inherited by anyone other than a spouse are not retirement funds and therefore are not protected from the beneficiary’s creditors in bankruptcy. The reasoning is, because the beneficiary cannot make additional contributions or delay distributions until retirement, it is
- [Year End Estate Planning Tip #3 – Check Your Disability Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/year-end-estate-planning-tip-3-check-disability-planning/) - With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the time to fine tune your estate plan before you get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season. One area of planning that many people overlook is making sure their disability planning is up to date. Three Areas of Your Disability Plan That
- [Year End Estate Planning Tip #4 - Estate Plan Privacy](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/year-end-estate-planning-tip-4-estate-plan-privacy/) - With the end of the year fast approaching, now is the time to fine tune your estate plan before you get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season. One area of planning that many people overlook is ensuring that their final wishes remain private. Will Your Final Wishes Become a Public Court Record?
- [Happy New Year!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-new-year/) - Did you know?? The earliest recorded festivities in honor of a new year’s arrival date back some 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. For the Babylonians, the first new moon following the vernal equinox—the day in late March with an equal amount of sunlight and darkness—heralded the start of a new year. They marked the occasion
- [Estate Planning Basics for Newlyweds – How to Get Prepared for the Unexpected](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-basics-newlyweds-get-prepared-unexpected/) - It’s that time of year – the time for beautiful weddings, fun receptions, delicious cakes, special gifts, and romantic honeymoons. While this is a joyous time for everyone, it’s also time for you and your new spouse to plan for your future – for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. Why Newlyweds
- [Life Insurance: How Much and What Kind?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/life-insurance-much-kind/) - Life insurance can be an affordable way to provide for our children, spouse, a sibling, aging parents and others if we should die while they are depending on us. Life insurance proceeds can provide extra income to help pay ongoing household bills and child care; pay off a mortgage, credit cards and other debt; pay
- [Should I Write My Own Will?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/should-i-write-my-own-will/) - I’m sure you have heard this less than eloquent phrase before – “Garbage in, garbage out.” The phrase is typically used in computer programming and scientific research. Unfortunately, it also applies to the law, legal documents, and writing your own Will. What’s Wrong With Writing Your Own Estate Plan? Legally, you have the right to
- [Happy Valentine's Day](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-valentines-day/) - Did You Know? The day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia. 141 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. And in addition to the U.S., Valentine's Day is
- [Happy Presidents Day!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-presidents-day/) - Fun Fact: Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, in an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham
- [Protecting Against Financial Fraud in Charitable Giving](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/protecting-financial-fraud-charitable-giving/) - Americans are very generous when it comes to charitable giving. In addition, lower earners give more proportionately than higher earners. Perhaps this is because lower earners understand how easily a family can slip into financial crisis through the loss of a job or medical expenses. The thought of "that could be me" makes people very
- [Daylight Savings Time](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/daylight-savings-time/) - Spring is almost here! Don't forget to "Spring Forward" tonight for daylight savings time and set your clocks ahead one hour.
- [How to Leave Assets to Adult Children](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/leave-assets-adult-children/) - When considering how to leave assets to adult children, the first step is to decide how much each one should receive. Most parents want to treat their children fairly, but this doesn't necessarily mean they should receive equal shares of the estate. For example, it may be desirable to give more to a child who
- [Happy St. Patrick's Day!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-st-patricks-day/) - What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green. Did you know? We should be wearing blue! Saint Patrick himself would have to deal with pinching on his feast day. His color
- [3 Asset Protection Tips You Can Use Now](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/3-asset-protection-tips-can-use-now/) - A common misconception is that only wealthy families and people in high risk professions need to put together an asset protection plan. But in reality, anyone can be sued. A car accident, foreclosure, unpaid medical bills, or an injured tenant can result in a monetary judgment that will decimate your finances. Below are three tips
- [Happy Easter](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-easter/) - This celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead is Christianity's most important holiday. It has been called a movable feast because it doesn't fall on a set date every year. Christian churches in the West celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox on March 21. Therefore, Easter
- [The Role of The Successor Trustee](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/role-successor-trustee/) - When creating a trust, it is common practice that the person doing the estate planning will name themselves as trustee and will appoint a successor trustee to handle matters once they pass on. If you have been named successor trustee for a person that has died, it is important that you hire an attorney to
- [Happy Administrative Professionals Day](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-administrative-professionals-day/) - Administrative Professionals Day and Administrative Professionals Week are widely observed in many workplaces in the United States and other countries around the world. The first National Secretaries Week was organized in 1952. The National Secretaries Association was formed to recognize the contributions of secretaries and other administrative personnel to the economy, to support their personal
- [Happy Earth Day](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-earth-day/) - Founded in 1970 as a day of education on environmental issues, Earth Day is now a global holiday. The brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson and inspired by the antiwar protests of the late 1960s, Earth Day was originally aimed at creating a mass environmental movement. It began as a “national teach-in on the environment” and
- [Happy Mother's Day Weekend](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-mothers-day-weekend/) - Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Did You Know? More phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year.
- [How to Minimize Legal Fees after Death](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/minimize-legal-fees-death/) - Death is a costly business. Aside from funeral expenses, legal fees can take a big chunk out of how much is left for your loved ones after you’re gone. But it doesn't have to be this way. Careful planning can minimize the legal fees your loved ones will pay after you die. Here’s how: 1. Make
- [What's up in Washington?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/whats-up-in-washington/) - On April 16 the United States House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 242 to 179 House Resolution 1105 entitled “Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015”. The vote was largely along party lines, and the resolution proposes the repeal of the estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax, while retaining the gift tax. Under this
- [If You Die Without a Will, Does Your Spouse Inherit Your Entire Estate?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/die-without-will-spouse-inherit-entire-estate/) - If you are married and you die without a Last Will and Testament, you may mistakenly believe that your spouse will still inherit your entire estate. Not so fast. Who will inherit your estate depends on several different factors: 1. How is your property titled? Is your property titled in your name alone, in joint
- [Problems with Using a Joint Account as a Vehicle for Inheritance](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/problems-using-joint-account-vehicle-inheritance/) - When deciding who will inherit your assets after you die, it is important to consider that you might outlive the beneficiary you choose. If you have added someone to your financial accounts to ensure that he or she receives this asset after you die, you might be concerned about what will happen should you outlive
- [How to Create a Successful, Multigenerational Wealth Transfer Plan](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/create-successful-multigenerational-wealth-transfer-plan/) - Studies have shown that 70% of family wealth is lost by the end of the second generation and 90% by the end of the third. Don’t let your loved ones become part of these statistics. You need to understand, and work to overcome, the disconnect that occurs between generations regarding the transfer of wealth. In
- [Is There Any Way a Disinherited Child Could Receive an Inheritance from an Estate?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/way-disinherited-child-receive-inheritance-estate/) - If your estate plan and related documents are properly and carefully drafted, it is highly unlikely that the court will disregard your wishes and award the excluded child an inheritance. As unlikely as it may be, there are certain situations where this child could end up receiving an inheritance depending upon a variety of factors.
- [7 Trust-Based Asset Protection Strategies for You and Your Family](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/7-trust-based-asset-protection-strategies-family/) - You don’t have to make your family’s assets easy for creditors to reach. Protecting your hard-earned assets for the benefit of yourself and your family can be accomplished through careful planning. These seven trust-based asset protection strategies can put significant (and often insurmountable) obstacles in the way of a creditor. Learn about 7 trust-based asset
- [Executors Fees: How Much are They and Can the Deceased Make You Agree Not to Take One?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/executors-fees-much-can-deceased-make-agree-not-take-one/) - An executor's fee is the amount charged by the person who has been appointed as the executor of the probate estate for handling all of the necessary steps in the probate administration. Therefore, if you have been appointed an executor of someone’s estate, you might be entitled to a fee for your services. This fee
- [4 Tips for Avoiding a Will or Trust Contest](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/4-tips-avoiding-will-trust-contest/) - A will or trust contest can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your estate, and tear your loved ones apart. But with proper planning, you can help your family avoid a potentially disastrous will or trust contest. If you are concerned about challenges to your estate plan, consider the following: 1. Do not attempt
- [Choosing a Guardian for Minor Children](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/choosing-guardian-minor-children/) - If you are a parent and you are considering estate planning, one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make is choosing a guardian for your minor children. It is not easy to think of anyone else, no matter how loving, raising your child. Yet, you can make a tremendous difference in your
- [Happy Halloween!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/happy-halloween/) - Happy Halloween! Did You Know? One quarter of all of the candy sold for the entire year is purchased for Halloween. From our office to your home, we wish you and your family a happy and healthy Halloween weekend!
- [Veterans' Day](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/veterans-day/) - THANK YOU to all of our veterans! On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following
- [A Moment with Wisconsin's Legacy Keeper: Jerry Apps](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/moment-wisconsins-legacy-keeper-jerry-apps/) - Building relationships with the families we serve; we hear so many stories of dedication to labors of love. We witness first-hand the hard work and diligence so many put into building their Legacy. Wilson Law Group is proud to be able to share some of those stories. Welcome to Spotlight On! If you are a fan of Wisconsin Public
- [Gun Trusts: Wisconsin Estate Planning with Firearms](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/gun-trusts-wisconsin-estate-planning-firearms/) - THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS MEETS NEW REGULATIONS According to a 2012 poll, nearly one half of all Americans keep a firearm in their home. Many of them may be weapons subject to registration under the National Firearms Act (NFA). These weapons, which include machine guns, suppressors (silencers), short-barreled (sawed off) shotguns and destructive devices
- [The Only Constant in Life is Change](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/constant-life-change/) - When Circumstances Change, So Should Your Estate Plan Your estate plan was written to reflect your situation at a specific point in time – and – as we all know – our lives continually change, unfolding in ways we might not have anticipated. Just like you meet with your doctor, financial advisor, or CPA on
- [How to Calculate Your Estate Tax](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/calculate-estate-tax/) - In order to predict how much your estate will have to pay in taxes, one must first determine the value of the estate. To determine this, many assets might have to be appraised at fair market value. The estate includes all assets including real estate, cash, securities, stocks, bonds, business interests, loans receivable, furnishings, jewelry,
- [Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Children With a Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/top-5-ways-protect-children-trust/) - Wilson Law Group is glad to present a series of blog posts on Family Planning by Attorney Matthew Underwood Why Your Responsible Children Need Their Inheritance in a Trust Many parents believe that their “responsible” children do not need the protection of a trust. After all, if your child is good with money, why do
- [Q & A with Attorney John Haslam: Special Needs Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/q-attorney-john-haslam-special-needs-planning/) - What is special needs planning? People planning for beneficiaries with a special needs must address the following concerns: How will financial benefits be used for their benefit? Who will control and manage financial assets? How can an estate plan be arranged so that the beneficiary with special needs can benefit from inherited assets for the
- [Gun Trusts: What You Need to Know](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/gun-trusts-need-know/) - Recent tragic events underscore the importance of maintaining a dialogue about the responsible, accountable, and safe possession and transfer of firearms in our country. This is why it’s critically important for every law-abiding gun owner to stay abreast of all the complex and evolving gun laws. For example, did you know that possession and transfer
- [What is Settlement Planning?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-is-settlement-planning/) - Settlement planning is a unique and expanding area of law that is designed to help individuals preserve benefits that have been received from a personal injury settlement, inheritance or judgment. The practice encompasses an array of legal services such as special needs planning, estate planning and financial planning. The objective is to assist clients with
- [Do you really need a trust?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/really-need-trust/) - Although many people equate “estate planning” with having a will, there are many advantages to having a trust rather than a will as the centerpiece of your estate plan. While there are other estate planning tools (such as joint tenancy, transfer on death, beneficiary designations, to name a few), only a trust provides comprehensive management
- [How the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will help Farmers](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/tax-cuts-jobs-act-will-help-farmers/) - Congress delivered the historic 560-plus-page Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and President Donald Trump signed it into law on the Friday before Christmas. The changes will affect 2018 taxes, not those for 2017. Here are 10 points that bode well for farm operators and small business owners: 1. Property tax deductions. This business deduction continues
- [Estate Planning For the Newly Married](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/estate-planning-newly-married/) - Now is the perfect time to start working on an estate plan. As newlyweds, you are figuring out how to consolidate two households into one. You've already been working on the new banking and shared responsibility of bills and taxes. Use that work as a catalyst for planning for your future—so you'll be prepared for
- [A Simple Will Is Not Enough](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/simple-will-not-enough/) - A basic last will and testament cannot accomplish every goal of estate planning; in fact, it often cannot even accomplish the most common goals. This fact often surprises people who are going through the estate planning process for the first time. In addition to a last will and testament, there are other important planning tools
- [What to Expect from Estate Planning in 2018](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/expect-estate-planning-2018/) - The year 2017 is now fading into the rearview mirror. As we continue through 2018, let’s consider a few things to watch regarding estate planning, so you and your family can be completely protected. ● The death tax. The death tax has been in a state of flux ever since the early 2000s when the
- [3 Ways Your Trust Can Help a Loved One With Mental Illness](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/3-ways-trust-can-help-loved-one-mental-illness/) - When a loved one suffers from a mental illness, one small comfort can be knowing that your trust can take care of them. There are some ways this can happen, ranging from the funding of various types of treatment to providing structure and support during his or her times of greatest need. Let’s explore a
- [When Will I Receive My Inheritance?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/will-receive-inheritance/) - If you’ve been named as a beneficiary in a loved one’s estate plan, you’ve likely wondered how long it will take to receive your share of the inheritance. The length of time it takes to distribute assets in an estate can vary widely depending upon the particular situation. Some of the factors that will be
- [Small Business Owner? Know What Can Happen to Your Business If You Become Incapacitated or Pass Away](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/small-business-owner-incapacitated-pass-away/) - Preparing your company for your incapacity or death is vital to the survival of the enterprise. Otherwise, your business will be disrupted, harming your customers, employees, vendors, and ultimately, your family. For this reason, proactive financial planning -- including your business plan and your estate plan -- is key. Below are some tips on how
- [Are Your Documents Following the Same Script? Basics of Beneficiary Forms and Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/documents-following-script-basics-beneficiary-forms-estate-planning/) - In the event of your untimely death, the manner in which your beneficiaries -- or those people who receive your assets from your estate -- are determined is highly dependent on how your property is titled. Generally, property with title includes vehicles, real estate, bank accounts, savings bonds, and stock certificates. If you die without
- [What Happens To Your Student Loan Debt When You Die?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/what-happens-student-loan-die/) - There are two issues many people avoid thinking about: death and debt. Student loan debt is part of life nowadays for students obtaining advanced or professional degrees. As of 2017, the total national student debt was over $1.4 trillion with college students graduating with an average of $17,126 in debt. So, what happens to student

## Pages

- [Welcome](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/) - The WLG Experience Initial Consult Let’s understand your story first. We will explore with you your goals, concerns, hopes and dreams for yourselves, your loved ones and your community. We’ll learn about your heritage, your family values and what must happen to preserve the life you have built. Learn More Plan Design & Implementation We
- [RWay TrustCare Program®](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/rway-trust-care-program/) - Why? The RWay TrustCare Program® was developed in 1999 as a direct response to our clients' desire that the initial time and financial commitment invested in designing their estate plans be protected. No one wanted a plan that could be technically compromised by a future they could not yet see. We had to find a
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/frequently-asked-questions/) - Estate Planning Long Term Care Planning Planning for Incapacity Special Needs Planning Real Estate Probate and Trust Administration
- [Practice Areas](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/) - Estate Planning Long Term Care Planning Trust Administration & Probate Farm Families With offices in Madison, WI, the attorneys at Wilson Law Group assist clients with Estate & Business Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, and Elder Law & Medicaid Planning throughout Southern Wisconsin.
- [Wilson Law Group Upcoming Events](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wilson-law-group-upcoming-events/) - Workshops for Everyone Workshops for Professional Advisors Workshops for RWay Members Log In To Watch RWay Symposium Workshops
- [Farm Families](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/farm-families/) - NEW - Hear Attorney Dan Purtell's interview on the Mid-West Farm Report! You can also click here to read the article. What To Do With The Family Farm A well-thought-out plan for the farm family is critical to its sustainability, particularly in difficult economic times. What You Know Farmers are very comfortable with the stages
- [Worth Knowing](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/worth-knowing/)
- [Client Confidential Disclosure](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/client-confidential-disclosure/) - Please complete our Confidential Client Disclosure and submit it at least two days prior to your initial consultation. Remember to click the "submit" button to ensure that we receive your form. Click here to download the printable/fillable version of the Client Confidential Disclosure. You may email the completed form to mail@wilsonlawgroup.com. Please call 608.833.4001 for
- [Estate Planning Attorney Serving Madison, WI](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - Wilson Law Group's estate planning practice provides service for wills, revocable trusts, health care directives, financial power of attorney, and more. Wilson Law Group’s Estate Planning Practice Provides Service in the Following Areas: Wills Revocable Trusts Health Care Directives Financial Power of Attorney Marital Property Agreements Charitable Planning Selecting Guardians for Minor Children Beneficiaries
- [WLG Client Newsletter](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wlg-client-newsletter/) - Spring 2026 Winter 2026 Fall 2025 Summer 2025 Spring 2025 Winter 2025 Fall 2024 Summer 2024 Spring 2024 Winter 2024 Fall 2023 Summer 2023 Spring 2023 Winter 2023 Fall 2022 Spring 2022 Summer 2022 Spring 2022 Winter 2022 Fall 2021 Summer 2021 Spring 2021 Winter 2021 Fall 2020 Summer 2020 Spring 2020 Winter 2020 Fall
- [Our Team](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/our-team/)
- [Staff](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/our-team/staff/) - Kathy Elvert Trust Creation Team Leader kathy.elvert@wilsonlawgroup.com Kathy is charged with overseeing our processes and delivery of services regarding estate planning, trust creation, funding your trust, and business planning. Call her with changes to your trust documents and general questions regarding your estate planning. She will assist as she can and connect you with the
- [Madison, WI Estate and Elder Planning Law Firm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/about/) - At Wilson Law Group, knowledge of the law is only part of the equation. We take all the elements of your situation into consideration. From estate planning to trust administration, we work with you as a person, not just a name typed out on a legal document. It's not just the law, it's how the
- [Attorneys](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/our-team/attorneys/)
- [Marital Property Issues](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/marital-property-issues/) - One of the most important facets of Wisconsin estate planning law is the Marital Property Act. This Act governs the property rights of married persons, both during life and at death. Avoiding Probate The Wisconsin Marital Property Act provides that married persons may agree that upon the death of a spouse, either or both spouse's
- [Our Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/our-process/) - The First Step We believe so strongly that every family should have the opportunity to make an informed decision about their planning that we have taken the approach that your initial consultation is without charge. The only commitment we ask is that you take the time to sit down with one of our attorneys to
- [Disclaimer](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/disclaimer/) - Wilson Law Group provides the information on this website to furnish general information about its services and about interesting and important legal issues. All material included in our website is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. Because the law changes quickly and varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, none
- [Long Term Care Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/long-term-care-planning/) - Overview The statistics are startling: if you live past age 65, you have a 50% chance of needing nursing home care at some point in your life. Your chances increase to 60% if you live past age 75. The likelihood that you will need such care makes it even more important to plan for your
- [Testimonials](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonials/)
- [Recorded Workshops for Professional Advisors](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wilson-law-group-upcoming-events/workshops-for-professional-advisors/recorded-workshops-for-professional-advisors/) - The Name on the Check Rule with Dale Krause Click here to view this workshop Join the President and CEO of Krause Financial Services, Dale Krause, J.D., LL.M., as he explores a unique Medicaid Compliant Annuity planning strategy: the “Name on the Check Rule." This is a strategy you can use to your client’s advantage
- [Contact Us](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/contact/) - Madison 7633 Ganser Way, Suite 100 Madison, WI 53719 Phone: 608.833.4001 | Fax: 608.833.1212 If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us by filling out the form below.
- [Special Needs Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/special-needs/) - Planning For Individuals With Special Needs If you currently provide care for a child or loved one with special needs (such as mental or physical disabilities), you must have concern about what may happen to them when you are no longer able to provide and care for them. While you can certainly ensure that they
- [Special Assets](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/special-assets/) - The Family Cabin Of all the assets a Wisconsin family owns, nothing is as treasured as the family cabin or vacation home. When designing a family's estate plan, the cabin is the one asset that the family hopes to preserve after a loved one passes. Families quite often liquidate all their other assets, including the
- [Estate Planning for Young Families](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/planning-young-families/) - Children are a family’s greatest treasure. Think of all the precautions taken to safeguard minor children – from the first purchase of an infant car seat to swimming lessons and even driving instruction. Yet, most parents leave their children completely unprotected from one of life’s most crushing blows – being orphaned upon the loss or
- [Pets and Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/pets/) - Who Will Take Care Of Your Pet When You Can't? It may seem frivolous to some, but to pet owners who love their pets, making sure their beloved animals are taken care of after they are gone is of the utmost importance. Will someone be notified so that your pet's care is not interrupted? Who
- [Multigenerational Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/multigenerational-estate-planning/) - From Generation to Generation Each time you transfer wealth to another person, the transfer is potentially subject to federal transfer tax, in the form of gift or estate tax. The federal transfer tax system is designed to impose a tax on each and every generation (e.g., father to son, son to granddaughter, etc.). The transfer
- [Incapacity Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/incapacity/) - Planning for Disability Disability planning may be the most neglected part of estate planning today. Many people believe that if they are mentally incapacitated, someone (their spouse, their oldest child, their next of kin) is automatically deputized to handle their affairs. That is simply not true. If you have not planned for your disability, then
- [Ethical Wills](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/family-values/) - What Is An Ethical Will? An Ethical Will is a statement of the values, beliefs, thoughts, lessons, dreams and/or memories that you would like to leave to those you love and to future generations. An Ethical Will complements the legal estate planning documents by which you pass on your material possessions. It is not a
- [Estate Taxes](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/estate-taxes/) - Avoiding Uncle Sam No matter how overtaxed you think you are during life, Uncle Sam will want to review your estate after death to ensure you don’t owe him that one final tax: the federal estate tax. Whether there will be any tax to pay depends on the size of your estate and how your
- [Charitable Giving](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/charitable-giving/) - Supporting Charities If given the choice between paying taxes (most often an involuntary act) or making a charitable gift (a voluntary act), most people would choose the latter because it gives them the benefit of knowing who the money will help and how it will be used. The former option, on the other hand, simply
- [Asset Protection Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/asset-protection/) - Shielding Inheritance America is not only the land of opportunity, it is also the land of litigation. In our society today, the possibility that someone may take your assets away from you or your children is ever-increasing—a divorce, lawsuit, or judgment can claim all or a portion. Asset protection planning will ensure your assets are
- [Thank You <!--RWay Members -->](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/thank-you-rway-members/) - Thank you for registering! We look forward to seeing you! Back to Homepage
- [Trust Administration & Probate](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/trust-administration-probate/) - Trust Administration Following the death of your loved one, assets titled in the name of that person’s trust will pass to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust document. Trust Administration is a post-death process consisting of the following steps: Appointment of successor trustee Gathering and valuing of all trust assets Paying trust
- [Our Philosophy](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/about/our-philosophy/) - Wilson Law Group, LLC exists to serve the needs of the community. With more than 50 years of combined experience, our attorneys focus on the areas of foundational and advanced estate planning, including Medicaid and retirement planning and business and succession planning for small business owners. Our Mission Our mission is to be our
- [Advisors Only](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/advisors-only/) - The Wealth Counselor is a monthly electronic newsletter jam-packed with the latest opportunities and practical information of the estate planning world, illuminating opportunities for advisors to grow their own book of business and add value to their clients.
- [Trustee Training: The Administration Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/rway-symposium-2/trustee-training-the-administration-process/) - click here to view a PDF of the presentation click here to view The Role Of Trustees click here to view the sample Trust Summary Diagram click here to view the Administration Timeline Click here to view playlist on YouTube!
- [Trustee Training: The Trust Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/rway-symposium-2/trustee-training-the-trust-process/) - click here to view the presentation click here to view the diagram click here to download the Role Of Trustees Trustee Training Handbook 
- [Probate and Trust Administration FAQ](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/frequently-asked-questions/probate-trust-administration-faq/) - Click any question to view its answer. Q: What is Probate? A: Probate is a legal proceeding under the jurisdiction and supervision of the Probate Court in the decedent’s county of residence. The probate process is used to appoint an executor, gather and value the decedent’s assets, notify and pay creditors, pay court costs and
- [Estate Planning FAQ](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/frequently-asked-questions/estate-planning-faq/) - Click any question to view its answer. Q: What is estate planning? A: Estate planning is a process that accomplishes the following objectives: • Controlling property while you are alive and well • Taking care of yourself and your loved ones in the event of a disability • Giving what you have to whom you
- [Long Term Care Planning FAQ](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/frequently-asked-questions/long-term-care-planning-faq/) - Click on any question to view its answer. Q: How much does a nursing home cost? A: The cost of a nursing home varies between geographic regions and depends largely on the type of care required. A good estimate would place the average cost somewhere between $6,000 and $8,000 per month. These costs are consistently
- [Workshops for Professional Advisors](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wilson-law-group-upcoming-events/workshops-for-professional-advisors/) - Upcoming Workshops Recorded Workshops
- [Workshops for Everyone](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/wilson-law-group-upcoming-events/workshops-for-everyone/) - Upcoming Workshops Recorded Workshops
- [Thank You For Registering For Our Seminar <!-- Seminars Everyone -->](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/thank-you-seminars-everyone/) - Thank you for registering for our seminar! We look forward to seeing you there. Back to Seminars
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- [No Upcoming Events - Seminars for Professional Advisors](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/no-upcoming-events-seminars-for-professional-advisors/) - Please fill out the form below to be notified of future events:
- [No Upcoming Events - Seminars for Everyone](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/no-upcoming-events-seminars-for-everyone/) - Please fill out the form below to be notified of future events:
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- [Thank You <!--Professional Advisors -->](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/thank-you-seminars-professional-advisors/) - Thank you for registering! Back to Seminars
- [Specialty Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/specialty-planning/) - Estate planning covers a very broad spectrum of special planning situations, sometimes requiring a unique approach to each. We refer to each area as "Specialty Planning" referencing the planning approach Wilson Law Group offers various scenarios. This section introduces a few of the specialty planning areas for which we have designed a specific WLG Client
- [Educational Symposium Registration Form](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/educational-symposium-registration-form/)
- [Annual Educational Symposiums](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/annual-educational-symposiums/) - Symposium 1 - Saturday, September 29, 2018 Clarion Suites 2110 Rimrock Road, Madison, WI 53713 8:30am Sessions Trustee Training: The Trust Process The program will provide attendees with an understanding of estate planning concepts, why a trust is useful in family planning, and an introduction to the trust administration process. Attendance is a must for
- [Thank You <!-- Newsletter Subscription -->](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/thank-you-2/) - Thank you for subscribing!
- [Thank You <!-- Registration Form -->](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/thank-you-registration-form/) - Thank you for registering. We look forward to seeing you there!
- [Real Estate FAQ](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/frequently-asked-questions/real-estate-faq/) - Click any question to view it's answer. Q: What are the differences between some common forms of property ownership? A: There are a variety of ways that one can hold title to property: Sole Ownership: owned entirely by one person. Words in the deed such as "Bill, a single man" establish title as sole ownership.
- [Special Needs Planning FAQ](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/frequently-asked-questions/special-needs-planning-faq/) - Q: What is special needs planning? People planning for beneficiaries with a disability must address the following concerns: · Where will the beneficiary with special needs be living and who will provide for their personal needs? · Who will make medical decisions and arrange for proper care? · How can financial assets be left to
- [Planning for Incapacity FAQ](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/frequently-asked-questions/planning-incapacity-faq/) - Q: What is a Durable Power of Attorney? In a durable power of attorney, you, “the principal,” name a chosen “agent” to exercise legal authority on your behalf as if you were doing it yourself. Your agent can exercise this authority even if you become incapacitated. The authority granted can be whatever powers you want
- [Veterans](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/specialty-planning/veterans/) - If you or your spouse served in the US Military, there are several benefits you may be eligible for. One of the more commonly known benefits regards eligibility for burial in a VA National Cemetery. Particulars on utilizing this benefit can be found at www.cem.va.gov. Lesser utilized benefits include Death Pension Benefits and the Survivors
- [Individuals](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/specialty-planning/individuals/) - Planning for an individual can sometimes appear to be more complex than for a family of four! Legacy transition is not always as clear as it is when children are involved. There tends to be more in depth conversations about extended families, charitable inclinations, heritage and passion for community. Your estate planning attorney can be
- [Families](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/specialty-planning/families/) - Families are ever changing: Newly married dreaming of your promising future together; your first child, a new career, a first home. The years focused on raising children, dentist appointments and sports. Your children’s SATs, college tuition and becoming empty nesters. Insurance policies, 401K contributions and your first mailing from AARP. Yes, life does change and
- [Proactive Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/long-term-care-planning/proactive-planning/) - Planning for the elderly focuses on the needs of the fastest growing demographic of the U.S. population. It includes areas such as Medicaid and asset protection planning, disability planning, advice regarding long-term care policies, and end-of-life decision-making. The good news is that modern medicine and healthier lifestyles make it possible for us to live longer
- [Crisis Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/practice-areas/long-term-care-planning/crisis-planning/) - When your loved one enters a nursing home, they will be expected to pay for their stay using their own resources. With the monthly cost approaching $10,000 in some places, this can have a devastating effect on the assets accumulated during a lifetime of diligent saving and investment. Protecting their assets in a constantly-changing legal environment
- [Request an Appointment](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/request-an-appointment/)
- [Thank You <!-- Request an Appointment -->](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/thank-you-request-appointment/) - Thank you for submitting your appointment request. Someone will get in touch with you shortly.

## Our Team

- [John L. Haslam](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/team/john-l-haslam/) - john.haslam@wilsonlawgroup.com Attorney John Haslam is an Estate Planning Law Specialist and Accredited Estate Planner® as certified by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and accredited by the American Bar Association. Attorney Haslam is a member of WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, and the Wisconsin Council of Estate Planning Attorneys. He is also a member of the
- [Rebecca Coleman](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/team/rebecca-coleman/) - rebecca.coleman@wilsonlawgroup.com Attorney Rebecca Coleman is a 2020 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Psychology. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School and served as treasurer of Marquette’s American Constitution Society and was an active member of the
- [Cherish Buss](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/team/cherish-buss/) - cherish.buss@wilsonlawgroup.com Attorney Cherish Buss, a 2017 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Gender and Women’s Studies. She then earned her Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School. While enrolled at Marquette, she was an active member of Marquette’s Estate Planning Society and Association for Women Lawyers Student Chapter.
- [Daniel B. Purtell](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/team/daniel-b-purtell/) - daniel.purtell@wilsonlawgroup.com Attorney Daniel Purtell is an Estate Planning Law Specialist and Accredited Estate Planner® as certified by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and accredited by the American Bar Association. Attorney Purtell is an active member of WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, the Wisconsin Council of Estate Planning Attorneys (former president), the Madison Estate Council, and
- [Wayne W. Wilson](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/team/wayne-w-wilson/) - wayne.wilson@wilsonlawgroup.com Attorney Wayne Wilson is an Estate Planning Law Specialist and Accredited Estate Planner® as certified by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and accredited by the American Bar Association. Wayne is the founder of Wilson Law Group, LLC; a founding member and former chairman of the Wisconsin Council of Estate Planning Attorneys;

## Testimonials

- [Beyond](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/beyond/) - "Wilson Law does a great job - very professional and helpful through the entire process and beyond. I highly recommend their firm." -Marcia
- [Kindess & Humor](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/kindess-humor/) - "John Haslam was a pleasure to work with for our estate planning! He is approachable and genuine, and he guided us through everything with kindness and humor. We will refer everyone we can!" -Sarah
- [Made the Process Work](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/made-the-process-work/) - “Dan was great to work with. We had a little more difficult situation than others and he made the process work for our situation.” -Greg
- [Part of the WLG Family](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/part-of-the-wlg-family/) - “We first learned about Wilson Law Group during a seminar [at] the Columbia County ADRC. We made an appointment with Attorney John Haslam. He was able to put together the [perfect] Will for us within months of our first visit. John had done a presentation which was not even close to the ones that put
- [Professional Through & Through](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/professional-through-through/) - “We are very happy with John from Wilson Law Group. He did an excellent job, answered all of our questions, and was professional through and through. I would HIGHLY recommend him if you need a will or trust set up!” -Tim
- [Confidence](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/confidence/) - "My wife and I decided to update our will. The experience was so thorough, we couldnt help but feel used by our previous attorney. We are confident that our estate will do exactly what we want it to." -Charles & Joanne
- [Courteous & Friendly](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/courteous-friendly/) - "Cherish did a great job going over the details of our trust signing. Thanks to all the staff, they were courteous and friendly." -Lisa
- [Thorough](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/thorough/) - "John took the time to explain all of our questions and options thoroughly. Walked out of the office feeling very good about our estate planning and knowing that he is there for us as future quesions arise." -Cory & Rochelle
- [Clarity & Detail](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/clarity-detail/) - "My husband and I had a really wonderful experience with Cherish. She listened to all of our questions and responded with clarity and detail. We always felt that she had our best interests in mind. We would both highly recommend her as an estate planning attorney." -Janet
- [Great Experience](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/great-experience/) - "We had a great experience with Wilson Law Group. My husband and I worked with the firm on a rather complicated estate plan and Cherish Buss ably guided us through the process. All questions were answered in a timely manner and the chance to review documents after signing and to keep documents updated for a
- [Timely & Thorough](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/timely-thorough/) - "It has been a pleasure working with Dan Purtell and the rest of the team at Wilson Law Group. He is always very thorough in his explanations and timely in his follow up. Highly recommend!" -Beth Anne
- [More Than Just the Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/more-than-just-the-trust/) - "I had Dan and his group set up a family trust and was totally impressed and well educated by his presentation. It's a daunting task for most, but the concise way he took the time to explain the plan both before and during the signing was amazing. The material we took home is complete and
- [Outstanding to Work With](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/outstanding-to-work-with/) - "Dan Purtell at the Wilson Law Group is outstanding to work with. Dan is very personable, thorough, patient in answering all my questions, and devising a transparent plan for my trustees to distribute my estate without delay or extra costs by avoiding probate. You will do very well for yourself and your family by utilizing
- [Great Experience](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/beyond-2-2-2/) - "We had a great experience with Wilson Law Group setting up our will. John made the process very simple to understand and was a pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend them!" -Jeff
- [Extremely Happy](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/beyond-2-2/) - "We were extremely happy with the services we received at Wilson Law. Dan was thorough and was able to explain complicated topics in ways that we could easily understand. He really helped us put a plan in place that we were comfortable with and met our unique family needs. I would highly recommend Dan to
- [Wonderful team to work with!](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/beyond-2/) - "Wilson Law Group have been a wonderful team to work with. I have had the pleasure to work with Dan and John through the process of getting a trust and then losing my husband and transferring everything over. They have been thorough in the process, supporting all of my questions. Feel lucky that I have
- [Legalese Made Understandable](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/legalese-made-understandable/) - "Everything was well-explained and helpful. Legalese made understandable. Thank you." -Kate
- [Three Generations](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/three-generations/) - "Dan has been doing my work for ten years. Did my Dad's trust, my trust, and set up an LLC for my business. Glad I made that first call ten years ago. I will not hesitate to call him again when I need to have anything updated or if I just have a question. My
- [Thoughtful & Helpful](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/thoughtful-helpful/) - “He was very helpful years ago with setting up my mom’s Trust, so when my husband and I decided to set up our own, I never gave it a second thought that I would go back to Dan again. He was as thoughtful and helpful as we expected he would be.” -Anonymous
- [Caring, Knowledgeable, Professional](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/caring-knowledgeable-professional/) - "John Haslam is one of the most caring, knowledgeable, and professional lawyers we have worked with. Highly recommend him and this law firm!!" -the Grays
- [Very Pleased](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/very-pleased/) - "Highly recommend Wilson Law Group. My wife and I were very pleased with the team who prepared our trust and walked us through the entire process. We will refer our friends and family." -Dean
- [Extremely Thorough](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/extremely-thorough-2/) - “We worked with Dan to update our estate planning documents. He was extremely thorough, did an excellent job of incorporating our wishes into the new documents, and described in detail all of the changes and the reason for them. I would highly recommend his services!” -Vince
- [A Wonderful Experience](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/a-wonderful-experience/) - "We had a most wonderful experience creating a Living Trust. The team was prepared, experienced, coordinated, and responsive. We left with a completed task and a secure feeling that all contingencies had been considered and addressed. They have my highest recommendation!" -Charles
- [Best Law Firm Ever](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/best-law-firm-ever/) - “Best law firm ever. Always watch out for the client's best interest. If we need more done, we’ll go nowhere else.” -David & Kathy
- [A Delight to Work With](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/a-delight-to-work-with/) - “John has been just a delight to work with. He is knowledgeable, helpful, open, and a trusted advisor. My experience in the past had tainted my view about the value of an attorney. John has totally changed that perception. Meeting John and working with him on our estate planning has been such a relief and
- [Patience & Respect](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/patience-respect/) - “My wife and I were very pleased with the results of our recent appointment to review our updated estate planning portfolio and trust signing. I now know exactly what we need to do to clean up a few legal matters so that we will have everything in order. We left the appointment feeling much more
- [Excellent Service](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/service-has-been-excellent/) - "Your service has been excellent. You have made a complex subject easier to understand. You have given me confidence that my family will be well taken care of." - Eric
- [Peace of Mind](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/peace-of-mind/) - "My husband and I knew we had to protect the family dairy business we've worked so hard to build over the last 30 years. Dan Purtell and the entire staff at Wilson Law Group worked closely with us to create the type of trust that meets the exact needs of our family. The very first
- [Peace of Mind & Clarity](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/peace-of-mind-clarity/) - “Always organized, always thorough, always willing to explain things in lay terms, interested in seeing that clients get the most appropriate service determined after patiently listening to the client's needs and concerns. Having Attorney John Haslam help us to make a plan means our heirs will not be left with problems after we have passed.
- [Peace of Mind](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/peace-of-mind-2/) - “Dan has helped set up and maintain our trust for many years. We meet every two years and he always makes sure things are updated for the latest legal changes. He is very open to meeting with all sorts of folks to talk through their situation. Since our sons are out of town he was
- [Incredibly Knowledgeable](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/incredibly-knowledgeable/) - “Working with Dan Purtell on our Trust has been outstanding. Very professional and incredibly knowledgeable on all the details of estate planning. We feel great knowing our Trust will cover all our needs.” -Dan
- [Well Informed](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/well-informed/) - "We have been clients since 2009. Well informed and quality services with our Living Trust. Highly recommended from us." -Gayle
- [An Absolute Pleasure](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/an-absolute-pleasure/) - "It was an absolute pleasure to work with John in connection with updating my estate planning documents. He was extremely thorough, and did an excellent job of incorporating my wishes into the new documents. I would highly recommend his services!" -Jay
- [Common Sense](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/common-sense/) - “We've worked with Dan for years. He gives common sense advice in language that is easy to understand. The end product is a very organized trust plan that will be a great benefit to our family and will make things easier for them during difficult times.” -Alan & Patty
- [No Pressure](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/low-key/) - "Excellent at explaining the trust options. Low key, no sense of being pressured into a decision. Very personable." -Jim
- [Thoroughly Professional](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/thoroughly-professional/) - "Thoroughly professional in revising my estate plan and managing my wife's estate. All involved are pleasant and helpful." -Bill
- [Eternally Grateful](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/eternally-grateful/) - “Mr. Haslam helped me through probate for my father's untimely passing and create a living trust for my family. While clearly an expert in both fields, I particularly appreciated his ability to break down legalese into a plan of action I could understand. Further, he and his staff stay on top of deadlines and are
- [Easygoing](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/easygoing/) - “John and his team did an excellent job of helping my wife and me put together a living trust for our family's long term security. He has an easygoing and easy to understand style while at the same time explaining all details and answering all questions.” -Gary
- [Complicated Made Easy](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/complicated-made-easy/) - “Got us to move off dead center that we have been sitting on for many years. Complicated made easy by the talent and know-how of the staff. We will rest easier now that we have made the move to a revocable trust. Thanks for all your help.” -Michael
- [First Class](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/first-class/) - “The Wilson Law Group are first class. They are extremely helpful in assisting you in all estate planning affairs. When you have a question, they promptly get you an answer. They work to put your family in the best possible position to settle your estate.” -Ruth
- [We Felt Important](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/we-felt-important/) - “From the first phone call to Wilson Law Group we felt that what we had chosen the right law firm for us. Choosing a law firm to work with is personal, after speaking to a few other firms we felt the approach from Wilson Law met our needs. They were interested, professional, caring and personable.
- [Feel At Ease](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/care-concern-well/) - "You are very welcoming and make us feel at ease. The care and concern for our well-being is appreciated." - Richard
- [Patient and Professional](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/patient-and-professional/) - "We appreciated John's expertise while working on our farm estate plan. He is patient and professional. It is very clear that he keeps up with the changes in estate planning related to agriculture. We would recommend him to fellow farmers." - Leo & Karen
- [Extremely Thorough](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/extremely-thorough/) - “I contacted Wilson Law Group to get my trust and will updated. They are extremely thorough, and very helpful. They took me through every single step and did a lot of hand holding because I'm not great at these sorts of things. I feel so much better that I have this done and know that
- [As Smooth As Can Be](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/as-smooth-as-can-be/) - “Very competent and professional operation. As smooth as can be. Since I am a lawyer myself, I have particular appreciation for the quality of this operation.” -Gina
- [Worthwhile Experience](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/worthwhile-experience/) - “Working with the Wilson Law Group to create our Living Trust has been a very worthwhile experience. The time and consideration that Dan has taken to provide us with a clear understanding of how everything fits, has been first class. From the first time we worked with Dan, we were made to feel at home.”
- [Comforting Sense of Security](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/comforting-sense-of-security/) - “Very professional and efficient. John provided excellent advice on what should be included in our estate plan and a thorough explanation of how the plan is structured. Easy to work with, excellent communication skills and very accommodating. We now have a comforting sense of security. One of us especially liked the visuals - so much
- [No Hard Sell](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/no-hard-sell/) - “I actually enjoyed the process of working through all the decision making with Attorney John Haslam. He was especially patient, present and down-to-earth in his approach. I learned a lot. No hard sell. I feel confident and comfortable with the results of my estate plan.” -Patrice
- [Friendly & Thorough](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/friendly/) - “Very professional, friendly and thorough.” -Adam & Michelle
- [Outstanding Service](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/outstanding-service/) - “Outstanding service! Friendly, concise, professional.” -Kevin
- [Wonderful Experience](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/wonderful-experience/) - “Had a wonderful experience with everyone on staff we had contact with. We were treated professionally at all times.” -Clement
- [Helped Us Make Our Decisions](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/helped-us-make-our-decisions/) - “We are so appreciative of John Haslam’s effort and expertise with our estate planning. He presented information in a clear, concise manner that helped us make our decisions.” -Kurt & Mary Sue
- [Clearly Laid Out](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/clearly-laid-out/) - “We have had the pleasure of dealing with Dan at Wilson for over 10 years. From the start the approach was clearly laid out with a long term horizon in mind. Our circumstances have changed significantly since we started with Dan and our Living Trust has evolved to reflect this. We were out of the
- [Understanding](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/understanding/) - “Professional, understanding, accommodating and helpful.” -Donald
- [Concise & Supportive](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/concise-supportive/) - “My wife and I first hired Wilson Law Group in 2005 to put together a Living Trust. Dan was concise and supportive. He educated us about the whole process. Recently we came back to have them update our trust. Again, Dan and the staff at Wilson Law Group made us feel comfortable and did not
- [Outstanding Team](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/outstanding-team/) - “An outstanding team of lawyers focused solely on estate planning. They know how to ensure your wishes are carried forward in your estate. A pleasure to work with.” -Gary
- [Attention to Detail](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/attention-to-detail/) - “The whole team was pleasant to work with. We appreciate their attention to detail and how helpful they were during this process.” -Dennis & Tammy
- [Comprehensive](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/comprehensive-estate-planning/) - "I think you have nailed comprehensive estate planning." -John
- [Caring and Personal Manner](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/treated-caring-personal-manner/) - "We appreciate that we are treated in a caring and personal manner, that our concerns/questions are listened to and addressed – and feel good knowing that you are constantly staying on top of developments. Thanks so much for the wonderful service you provide!" - Richard & Elizabeth
- [We Feel Like Your Only Client](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/closeness-feel-staff/) - "We hope you never change the closeness we feel to the staff when we call. We know you have grown and added more clients and staff, but we feel that when you talk to us, we’re the only client you have." - Milt & Judy
- [Keeping Us Informed](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/we-appreciate-your-workshops/) - "We appreciate your workshops and your efforts in keeping us informed on law changes and other issues which have an impact on us. Thank you." - Roland & Joyce
- [At Peace](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/pleasure-to-work-with-all-of-you/) - "It's been a pleasure to work with all of you. Thank you for helping us to plan this next chapter of our journey and feel at peace with what will be." - Susan & Mike
- [Expert Guidance](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/like-RWay-maintenance-program/) - "We are so pleased with the estate planning and trust documents you have created for us, especially the way you developed a color coded chart to illustrate how the process will work over time. Your expert guidance and paying attention to all the "what ifs" we never would have thought of gives us peace of
- [Very Thorough](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/your-office-has-been-very-thorough/) - "We feel we have made an excellent decision for our family members in setting up our trust. Your office has been very thorough in explaining the trust processes and benefits of having a trust. Your support and directions are important to us." - Janet & Dennis
- [Keep Up the Good Work](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/feel-confident-advised/) - "We depend on our bi-yearly update and feel confident how we are advised. Keep up the good work." - Patricia & Keith
- [Exceeds Expectations](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/exceeds-expectations/) - "Exceeds expectations - always available to help. Current, helpful, competent staff, answers questions and instills confidence in the planning process." - Joanne
- [Satisfied in Every Way](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/satisfied-every-way/) - "We were pleased with Dan Purtell's patience and thoroughness as he walked us through the estate planning process. Our many questions were answered in an easily understandable fashion. We are satisfied in every way with the final product prepared by the staff at Wilson Law Group." - Beth
- [Knowledgeable, Professional, and Trustworthy](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/knowledgeable-professional-trustworthy/) - "My husband and I have trusted Wilson Law Group for many years to help us with our estate planning. They're knowledgeable, professional, trustworthy, and their RWay program is a wonderful way to keep their clients educated and informed about changes that may affect their financial well-being. We've even brought both of our mothers and our
- [Easy to Follow](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/testimonial/easy-to-follow/) - “My husband and I have had a wonderful experience with Wilson Law Group. Our attorney John Haslam is professional while displaying a nice sense of humor and empathy for life situations. He did a fantastic job of explaining different options in a way that was clear and not over my head. One of my favorite

## Events

- [Annual Educational Symposium 1](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/annual-educational-symposium-1/) - *Registration begins at 7:45AM* Symposium 1 Classes – Sept. 23, 2023 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. : Trustee Training, The Trust Process 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. : Trustee Training, The Administration Process 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. : LegalVault 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. : Funding Your Trust Seminar Summaries Trustee Training The Trust Process This
- [Annual RWay Forum](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/annual-rway-forum/) - Thursday, April 9, 2026 RSVP by March 18, 2026 5:00 – 6:00 Registration and Cocktails 6:00 – 7:00 Dinner and Dessert 6:45 – 8:30 Speakers 8:30 – 8:45 Raffle and Closing Remarks
- [RWay Symposium, April 25, 2026](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/rway-symposium-4-25-26/) - Seminar Summaries Trustee Training: The Trust Process This program will provide attendees with an understanding of estate planning concepts, the value of trusts in comprehensive planning, and an introduction to the trust administration process. Attendance is a must for every Trustee and successor Trustee. A Trustee Handbook will be included. This program is a
- [RWay Symposium, October 4, 2025](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/rway-symposium-10-4-25/) - Seminar Summaries Trustee Training: The Trust Process This program will provide attendees with an understanding of estate planning concepts, the value of trusts in comprehensive planning, and an introduction to the trust administration process. Attendance is a must for every Trustee and successor Trustee. A Trustee Handbook will be included. This program is a precursor
- [CANCELLED: Annual Educational Symposium 2](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/annual-educational-symposium-2/) - Symposium 2 Classes – April 26, 2025 8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. : Current Events in Estate Planning 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. : Income Tax for Trusts 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. : Planning Under Medicare After Age 65 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. : Scams & Protecting Your Identity Seminar Summaries Current Events
- [RWay Forum Dinner 2025](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/spring-forum-dinner-2025/) - This event is exclusively for ACTIVE RWay members*. Thursday, April 3, 2025 5:00 pm Registration and cocktails 6:00 pm Dinner and dessert 6:45 pm Guest speakers 8:25 pm Raffle and closing remarks Complimentary parking at the Monona Terrace Ramp. RSVP by March 14
- [Annual Educational Symposium 1](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/annual-educational-symposium-1-2/) - Symposium 1 Classes – October 12, 2024 8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. : Trustee Training, The Trust Process 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. : Trustee Training, The Administration Process 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. : Funding Your Trust 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. : LegalVault Seminar Summaries Trustee Training The Trust Process This program will provide attendees
- [**CLOSED Symposium II](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-ii/) - This event is exclusively for RWay Members and their Guests* Event registration has closed. Phone- 608-833-4001 Email – mail@wilsonlawgroup.com Schedule: 8:15am-9:15am- Current Events 9:30am-10:30am- Are You Ready For Your Future? 10:45am-11:45am- Cyber Threats & Fraud 12:00pm-1:00pm- Pre-Planning Your Funeral
- [Spring Forum Dinner 2024](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/spring-forum-dinner-2024/) - This event is exclusively for ACTIVE RWay members*. Our special guest speaker this year is Jeff Finup. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:00 pm Complimentary parking at the Monona Terrace Ramp. *Exclusive invitations have been mailed to active RWay clients..
- [Educational Workshop for Financial Professionals, Estate Planning Update – 2023 and Beyond](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/educational-workshop-for-financial-professionals-estate-planning-update-2023-and-beyond/) - *Registration begins at 8:15AM* This event is complimentary, lunch is provided, and seating is limited! Program Topics: Foundational Estate Planning Secure Act Update Proactive Planning for Long Term Care Expenses Return Estate Taxation and Strategies Legacy Planning and Asset Protection Importance of Collaboration in Planning Please Register as soon as possible as seating is
- [RWay Symposium 1 2020 - Focus on Health & Wellness (ONLINE ONLY)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/rway-symposium-1-2020-focus-on-health-wellness/) - Presented by Eric Foxman Wellness is more than avoiding sickness and injury. It is a process of self-awareness, conscious change, and making thoughtful decisions to improve oneself. This course will examine how proven, science-based methods like exercise and smart food choices can ensure you live a healthy and fulfilling life…and have fun while doing it!
- [Long Term Care Planning (Virtual)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/long-term-care-planning-virtual/) - Many people worry that the prohibitive cost of long-term care will decimate their savings and ruin their estate. However, with the proper planning, you may be able to take long-term care off your list of worries and focus on the present. Topics include paying for nursing home care, applying for Medicaid, planning for incapacity, and
- [Opportunities in Estate Planning (CE)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/opportunities/) - While estate planning has always been a crucial part of comprehensive personal planning, recently the interest in preparing for incapacity and death has increased greatly. In our experience, the point-person to motivate clients to prepare their affairs is the financial professional. The goal of this workshop is to ensure that advisors understand foundational concepts, learn
- [The "Name on the Check" Rule with Dale Krause](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/advisor-ce-program/) - Join the President and CEO of Krause Financial Services, Dale Krause, J.D., LL.M., as he explores a unique Medicaid Compliant Annuity planning strategy: the “Name on the Check Rule.” This is a strategy you can use to your client’s advantage in protecting their retirement accounts during the Medicaid spend-down process. Dale will discuss how the
- [Current Events: 2021 (Advisor CE Program) - WEBINAR](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/current-events-2021-advisor-ce-program-webinar/) - Click here to register for this event.
- [RWay Symposium 1 2020 - Trustee Training: The Trust Process (ONLINE ONLY)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/rway-symposium-1-2020-trustee-training-the-trust-process/) - This program will provide attendees with an understanding of estate planning concepts, why a trust is useful in comprehensive planning and an introduction to the trust administration process. Attendance is a must for every Trustee and successor Trustee. A Trustee Handbook will be included. This program is a precursor for the Trustee Training (The Administration
- [RWay Symposium 1 2020 - Trustee Training: Administration Process (ONLINE ONLY)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/rway-symposium-1-2020-trustee-training-administration-process/) - The Trust Administration workshop provides Trustees with a detailed description of the decisions to be made and the tasks to be completed following the death of a Trustmaker. These include valuing assets, administering retirement plans and annuities, dividing and distributing trust assets, and preparing estate and fiduciary income tax returns. It is important to know
- [RWay Symposium 1 2020 - Using Trusts To Protect Your Assets From Long-Term Care Costs (ONLINE ONLY)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/rway-symposium-1-2020-using-trusts-to-protect-your-assets-from-long-term-care-costs/) - The cost of long-term care is very high and increases every year, which leads to many people exhausting their entire life savings paying for it. Using an Irrevocable Trust may protect your assets from the costs of long-term care for those who cannot qualify for other planning alternatives. This program will review the pros and
- [RWay Symposium 1 2020 - Funding Your Trust (ONLINE ONLY)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/rway-symposium-1-2020-funding-your-trust/) - Funding is a critical function of maintaining your trust. Even though your current assets are coordinated with your trust, it is your responsibility to make sure that all assets acquired in the future are also coordinated with your trust. This workshop will help you understand how to properly maintain your trust funding. It also provides
- [WEBINAR - Women and Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-for-women-2/) - Women, now more than ever, are achieving more, living longer, shattering ceilings, and breaking certain traditional roles, while simultaneously embracing others (sometimes without support). While taking on the world, many women are neglecting their own financial self-care. Learn how estate planning can help you care for your family, protect your growing earnings, support the causes
- [WEBINAR - Women and Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-for-women/) - Women, now more than ever, are achieving more, living longer, shattering ceilings, and breaking certain traditional roles, while simultaneously embracing others, (sometimes without support). While taking on the world, many women are neglecting their own financial self-care. Learn how estate planning can help you care for your family, protect your growing earnings, support the causes
- [WEBINAR - Planning for Pets](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-workshop-5/) - Pets are beloved members of our families that often get overlooked in estate planning. They may not have college funds or retirement accounts that need to be managed, but the unconditional love and emotional support a pet can provide is priceless. One way you can show your appreciation for them is by including them in
- [WEBINAR - Planning for Pets](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-workshop-6/) - Pets are beloved members of our families that often get overlooked in estate planning. They may not have college funds or retirement accounts that need to be managed, but the unconditional love and emotional support a pet can provide is priceless. One way you can show your appreciation for them is by including them in
- [WEBINAR - Planning for Loved Ones with Special Needs](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-workshop-3/) - The most vulnerable people are the ones that require the most security. It can often feel like there is no amount of protection great enough that you can give to your loved ones with special needs. However, having a proper estate plan is a good start. This webinar will go over some of the best
- [WEBINAR – Planning for Loved Ones with Special Needs](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-workshop-4/) - The most vulnerable people are the ones that require the most security. It can often feel like there is no amount of protection great enough that you can give to your loved ones with special needs. However, having a proper estate plan is a good start. This webinar will go over some of the best
- [WEBINAR - Estate Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-workshop-2/) - One of our most popular programs, this free webinar from Wilson Law Group is an essential primer on the basics of estate planning and the common pitfalls you should avoid. Presented by Attorney Noelle Augelli. Topics include: o Identifying Your Estate Planning Goals o Asset Protection Strategies for You and Your Beneficiaries o Strategies for
- [WEBINAR - Estate Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-workshop/) - One of our most popular programs, this free webinar from Wilson Law Group is an essential primer on the basics of estate planning and the common pitfalls you should avoid. You will be able to speak to the attorney and ask your questions at the end. Presented by Attorney Noelle Augelli. Topics include: o Identifying
- [WEBINAR - Charitable Legacies (with the American Cancer Society)](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-charitable-legacies-with-the-american-cancer-society-2/) - Our own Attorney Noelle Augelli is partnering with Erica Borowski from the American Cancer Society for this special webinar on charitable giving. Learn how to incorporate charities into your estate plan to leave a rewarding legacy of kindness and hospitality. Click here to register.
- [WEBINAR - Estate Planning & Long-Term Care](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-long-term-care/) - Many people worry that the prohibitive cost of long-term care will decimate their savings and ruin their estate. However, with the proper planning, you may be able to take long-term care off your list of worries and focus on the present. This free webinar from Wilson Law Group is presented by Attorney Noelle Augelli. Topics
- [WEBINAR - Estate Planning & Long-Term Care](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/webinar-estate-planning-long-term-care-2/) - Many people worry that the prohibitive cost of long-term care will decimate their savings and ruin their estate. However, with the proper planning, you may be able to take long-term care off your list of worries and focus on the present. This free webinar from Wilson Law Group is presented by Attorney Noelle Augelli. Topics
- [WEBINAR - Proactive Planning for Long Term Care](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/proactive-planning-for-long-term-care/) - As more and more of your clients face the specter of long term care costs, there is a distinct need for a complete analysis of the options they might have to protect assets, provide direction to successors during incapacity, and ensure that they will receive the best care possible. This program will review the current
- [Symposium 3 - Current Events in Estate Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-3-current-events/) - Current Events in Estate Planning As we all know, estate planning is essential to making sure your assets and values pass on to future generations in the way that you want. This program is designed to keep you up to date with how changing laws and court decisions can impact your existing planning. We will
- [Symposium 3 - Trustee Training: The Administration Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-3-trustee-training-administration-process-2/) - Trustee Training: The Administration Process The Trust Administration workshop provides Trustees with a detailed description of the decisions to be made and the tasks to be completed following the death of a Trustmaker. These include valuing assets, administering retirement plans and annuities, dividing and distributing trust assets, and preparing estate and fiduciary income tax returns.
- [Symposium 3 - Have You Done Your Homework?](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-3-have-you-done-your-homework-2/) - Have You Done Your Homework? Not only is your trust binder full of important legal documents, but it also contains documents to guide your family in implementing your plan. This workshop offers a guided session to completing your Memorandum for Distribution of Personal Property, Remembrance and Services Memorandum, Child Care Exhibit, Key Information section, and
- [Symposium 3 - Funding Your Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-3-funding-your-trust/) - Funding Your Trust Funding is a critical function of maintaining your trust. Even though your current assets are coordinated with your trust, it is your responsibility to make sure that all assets acquired in the future are also coordinated. This workshop will help you understand how to properly maintain your trust funding. It also provides
- [Symposium 3 - The Truth about Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-3-the-truth-about-organ-tissue-and-eye-donation-2/) - The Truth about Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation Presented by Donate Life Wisconsin Making a decision about donation comes, for many families, at a time of great stress, anxiety, and sadness. By understanding the facts about donation, you can educate and prepare your family about your decision to become a donor, and they will find
- [Symposium 3 - Trustee Training: The Trust Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-3-trustee-training-trust-process/) - Trustee Training: The Trust Process This program will provide attendees with an understanding of estate planning concepts, why a trust is useful in comprehensive planning, and an introduction to the trust administration process. Attendance is a must for every Trustee of every trust. A workbook will be included. We encourage you and your successor Trustees
- [WEBINAR - Crisis Planning for Long-Term Care](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/crisis-planning-for-long-term-care/) - It is not uncommon to have a client who may be heading toward the nursing home sooner rather than later. When proactive planning such as long-term care insurance and divestment are no longer available, other options still remain. This program will review the use of exempt assets, spousal impoverishment rules, promissory notes, and Medicaid-compliant annuities,
- [WEBINAR - The Wilson Law Group Experience](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/the-wilson-law-group-experience/) - In this webinar tailor-made for financial advisors, you will learn how partnering with Wilson Law Group can benefit you AND your clients. While this is not a CE-approved course, it will highlight the relationship-based process that Wilson Law Group utilizes from the Initial Consultation through ongoing membership in our RWay TrustCare Program. Presented by Attorney
- [WEBINAR - Estate Planning & Long Term Care - 11am - 12pm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/estate-planning-long-term-care/) - Many people worry that the prohibitive cost of long term care will decimate their savings and ruin their estate. However, with the proper planning, you may be able to take long term care off your list of worries and focus on the present. This free webinar from Wilson Law Group is presented by Attorney Noelle
- [WEBINAR - Estate Planning & Long Term Care - 6pm - 7pm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/estate-planning-long-term-care-6pm/) - Many people worry that the prohibitive cost of long term care will decimate their savings and ruin their estate. However, with the proper planning, you may be able to take long term care off your list of worries and focus on the present. This free webinar from Wilson Law Group is presented by Attorney Noelle
- [WEBINAR - Estate Taxation & Basis Step-up](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/estate-taxation-basis-step-up/) - Estate planning used to be all about estate taxation, and for good reason. Back in 2000, the estate tax exemption per person was only $675,000 with an effective tax on every dollar above that amount at a 55% rate. Strategies like gifting, family limited partnerships, irrevocable life insurance trusts, complex gifting programs, and the use
- [WEBINAR - Protective Planning for Young Families - 6pm - 7pm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/estate-planning-for-young-families-6pm/) - Estate planning: it’s not just for your twilight years. If you are a family with young children and have not given much consideration to your estate plan, this free webinar from Wilson Law Group will leave you with lots of important information and much to think about. Presented by Attorney Noelle Augelli. Topics include: Issues
- [WEBINAR - Protective Planning for Young Families - 11am - 12pm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/estate-planning-for-young-families/) - Estate planning: it’s not just for your twilight years. If you are a family with young children and have not given much consideration to your estate plan, this free webinar from Wilson Law Group will leave you with lots of important information and much to think about. Presented by Attorney Noelle Augelli. Topics include: Issues
- [WEBINAR - Monthly Estate Planning Workshop - April 14, 2020](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/monthly-estate-planning-workshop-april-2020/) - This meeting will take place via Zoom. Please make sure to provide an email address when you RSVP so we will be able to send you a link to participate. Topics include: -Identifying your estate planning goals -Asset protection strategies for you and your beneficiaries -Strategies for probate avoidance/minimization -Specialized planning: family businesses, special needs
- [WEBINAR - The SECURE Act & Planning Options](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/the-secure-act-planning-options/) - With the passage of the SECURE Act, effective January 1, 2020, the landscape of planning with qualified accounts has changed dramatically. In the past 15+ years, attorneys and advisors were careful to promote the use of the stretch or inherited IRA to the next generation. The massive value of a lifetime stretch-out with tax free
- [WEBINAR - Dirty Dozen Estate Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them - 6pm-7pm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/dirty-dozen-estate-planning-mistakes-how-to-avoid-them-6pm/) - One of our most popular programs, this free webinar from Wilson Law Group is an essential primer on the basics of estate planning and the common pitfalls you should avoid. Presented by Attorney Noelle Augelli. Topics include: Identifying Your Estate Planning Goals Asset Protection Strategies for You and Your Beneficiaries Strategies for Probate Avoidance/Minimization Specialized
- [WEBINAR - Dirty Dozen Estate Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them - 11am-12pm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/dirty-dozen-estate-planning-mistakes-how-to-avoid-them/) - One of our most popular programs, this free webinar from Wilson Law Group is an essential primer on the basics of estate planning and the common pitfalls you should avoid. Presented by Attorney Noelle Augelli. Topics include: Identifying Your Estate Planning Goals Asset Protection Strategies for You and Your Beneficiaries Strategies for Probate Avoidance/Minimization Specialized
- [WEBINAR - COVID-19 and Your Health Care Directives - 11am - 12pm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/covid-19-and-your-health-care-directives/) - In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to have plans in place regarding your health. This free webinar from Wilson Law Group will highlight three vital health care documents every person should have and give you the tools you need to feel confident that your wishes will be heard no matter what.
- [WEBINAR - COVID-19 and Your Health Care Directives - 6pm - 7pm](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/covid-19-and-your-health-care-directives-6pm/) - In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to have plans in place regarding your health. This free webinar from Wilson Law Group will highlight three vital health care documents every person should have and give you the tools you need to feel confident that your wishes will be heard no matter what.
- [Planting the Seeds for a Secure Future, January 21st](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/planting-the-seeds-for-a-secure-future-3/) - As advisors who practice in Wisconsin, we know many farm families who have become clients or who need help in planning for both their financial and legal goals. While the family farm is often seen as simply a business, the reality is that farming and often the multi-generational commitment that goes with it requires specialized
- [Planting the Seeds for a Secure Future](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/planting-the-seeds-for-a-secure-future/) - As advisors who practice in Wisconsin, we know many farm families who have become clients or who need help in planning for both their financial and legal goals. While the family farm is often seen as simply a business, the reality is that farming and often the multi-generational commitment that goes with it requires specialized
- [Planting the Seeds for a Secure Future](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/planting-the-seeds-for-a-secure-future-2/) - As advisors who practice in Wisconsin, we know many farm families who have become clients or who need help in planning for both their financial and legal goals. While the family farm is often seen as simply a business, the reality is that farming and often the multi-generational commitment that goes with it requires specialized
- [Estate Planning Workshops for Advisors](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/estate-planning-workshops-for-advisors/) - We are happy to announce that our firm will be offering education for advisors. These programs are offered exclusively to advisors free of charge and by invitation only, with a limit of 40 attendees. All of the programs will qualify for CE credits for licensed insurance professionals. Click here to view the full workshop flyer
- [Symposium 1 - Trustee Training: The Trust Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-1-trustee-training-the-trust-process/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Trustee Training: The Trust Process This program will provide attendees with an understanding of estate planning concepts, why a trust is useful in comprehensive planning, and an introduction to the trust administration process. Attendance is a must for every Trustee of every trust. A
- [Symposium 2 - Pre-Planning Your Funeral](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-2-pre-planning-your-funeral/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Pre-Planning Your Funeral Presented by Ric Vanderhoef Controlling the cost of your funeral is an important aspect of your estate plan. In this program, we will explore options for prepaying funeral and burial costs, requirements for cremation, and other matters every person should consider
- [Symposium 2 - Trustee Training: Administration Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-2-trustee-training-administration-process-2/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Trustee Training: Administration Process The Trust Administration workshop provides Trustees with a detailed description of the decisions to be made and the tasks to be completed following the death of a Trustmaker. These include valuing assets, administering retirement plans and annuities, dividing and distributing
- [Symposium 2 -Trustee Training: Trust Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-2-trustee-training-trust-process/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Trustee Training: Trust Process This program will provide attendees with an understanding of estate planning concepts, why a trust is useful in comprehensive planning, and an introduction to the trust administration process. Attendance is a must for every Trustee of every trust. A workbook
- [Symposium 1 - Trustee Training: Administration Process](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-1-trustee-training-administration-process/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Trustee Training: The Administrative Process The Trust Administration workshop provides Trustees with a detailed description of the decisions to be made and the tasks to be completed following the death of a Trustmaker. These include valuing assets, administering retirement plans and annuities, dividing and
- [Symposium 2 - Using Trusts to Protect Your Assets from Long Term Care Costs](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-2-using-trusts-to-protect-your-assets-from-long-term-care-costs/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Using Trusts to Protect Your Assets from Long Term Care Costs Using an Irrevocable Trust may protect your assets from the costs of Long Term Care for those who cannot qualify for other planning alternatives. This program will review the pros and cons of
- [Symposium 2 - The Future of IRA Planning](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-2-the-future-of-ira-planning/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. The Future of IRA Planning If you are a person or couple with retirement accounts (IRAs, 401K, 403(b), etc.) of $100,000 or more, you should be aware of the new congressional proposals regarding restrictions on inherited IRAs. The stretch IRA is one of the
- [Symposium 2 - How to Pay for the Cost of Long Term Care](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-2-how-to-pay-for-the-cost-of-long-term-care/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. How to Pay for the Cost of Long Term Care Presented by Industry Experts Long Term Care is increasingly expensive, leading many to exhaust their entire life savings paying for it. Long Term Care insurance and other strategies can provide crucial funds to pay
- [Symposium 1 - Income Taxes for Trust](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-1-income-taxes-for-trust/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Income Taxes for Trust Income taxes are often a secondary discussion topic during the course of planning an estate. However, basic knowledge of trust and estate income tax rules is essential to avoiding common mistakes that can cost thousands of dollars. This program will
- [Symposium 1 - Cyber Threats & Fraud](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-1-cyber-threats-fraud/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Cyber Threats and Fraud Presented by an Industry Expert Individuals and businesses continue to face the danger of fraud and monetary loss on the internet. These attacks, and the expert criminals that launch them, are more patient and resilient than ever before. This program
- [Symposium 1 - LegalVault](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-1-legalvault/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. LegalVault This workshop is for anyone who would like to learn more about the benefits and functions of their LegalVault account. LegalVault enables you to keep, track, and review your documents outside of your regular estate planning meetings, control access to your estate planning
- [Symposium 1 - Travel Today: Tips & Safety](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/event/symposium-1-travel-today-tips-safety/) - Please Ensure You Fill Out The Full Form Before Clicking Submit. Presented by Clara Christianson An expert in the field of travel will share with you key tips on how to plan for and enjoy a safe trip. Topics to be covered include: history of traveling and what has changed, tips for traveling, preparing to

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- [Workshops for RWay Members](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/events/category/workshops-for-RWay-client-members/)
- [RWay Symposium 1 2019](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/events/category/symposium-1-2019/)
- [RWay Symposium 2 2020](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/events/category/symposium-2-2020/)
- [RWay Symposium 3 2020](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/events/category/symposium-3-2020/)
- [Webinars](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/events/category/webinars/)
- [RWay Symposium 1 2020](https://wilsonlawgroup.com/events/category/rway-symposium-1-2020/)