Welcome to Estate of Mind… HWK’s blog focusing on estate matters
Whether you’re new to estate planning or looking to update your current strategies, our blog offers insights, practical advice, and the latest updates to help you make informed decisions. Explore topics ranging from wills and trusts to tax implications and asset protection, all designed to empower you, safeguard your loved ones’ future, and put you into an estate of mind.
Our blog content is not legal advice but rather general information. Please consult with our legal professionals for personalized advice.
Consider a Pet Trust
Why Every Pet Parent Needs to Consider a Pet Trust Today 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...
Debunking Common Misconceptions About Wills
Debunking Common Misconceptions About Wills The majority of Americans do not have a will, and the number of US households with a will has been in steady decline.[1] At the outset, it is important to dispel a recurring myth about estate planning: It is not just for the wealthy—or older adults,...
Add Estate Planning to Your Kid’s College Checklist
You may have been running around for weeks, getting your new college student off to school. It's exhilarating, and your heart likely is bursting at the seams. You're probably prouder than words can express, but you’re also a little afraid, too. How can you make sure your child is going to be safe...
From Field to Heirloom: Strategies for Passing Down Sports Memorabilia in Your Estate Plan
You may have spent decades building up your sports memorabilia collection. Maybe you have some rare cards and autographed pictures that have steadily gained value over the years, and now they are worth a significant amount of money. You go to great lengths to keep these items in mint condition....
The Importance of Adult Children Discussing Estate Planning with Their Parents
As we journey through life, certain conversations can be tough but necessary. One such conversation is estate planning with our aging parents. Discussing estate planning is often seen as daunting, uncomfortable, and even morbid. However, its significance cannot be overstated. Open, honest...
Sun, Sand, and Succession: Estate Planning Tips for Your Vacation Property
A vacation property can be one of the most valuable things you can pass down to your loved ones, from both a sentimental and financial standpoint. However, mixing money and family can be tricky. Without a well-thought-out strategy for the ownership transition, hard feelings and disputes could...
Ballots to Beneficiaries: How Potential Presidential Policies Could Shape the Future of Your Estate Plan
Ready or not, we are entering another presidential election season. If you are like most Americans, the economy is top of mind when it comes to evaluating the candidates. But even if you do not intend to vote, the tax policies of the next administration could have a major impact on your personal...
What Happens to An Adult Child Living at Home When Their Parents Pass Away?
Today, more young adults are living at home with their parents than at any time since the 1940s. While opinions vary on this trend's causes and implications, financial reasons are typically the primary motivation. Most adult children who still live at home plan to move out eventually. However, if...
Did Aretha Franklin Die Without a Will?
Did Aretha Franklin Die Without a Will? A Cautionary Tale for Estate Planning Too little estate planning can put your heirs in a bind and tie up your estate in time-consuming and costly probate litigation. As the legal saga of Aretha Franklin’s estate shows, inadequate estate planning—in...
Gloria Vanderbilt: No Trust Fund Kids for Her
We are at the precipice of what is being called “The Greatest Wealth Transfer in History,” as baby boomers are set to pass down $84 trillion to younger generations.[1] Every parent wants to see their children succeed. But some may wonder whether an inheritance will help promote or hinder the...