Welcome to Estate of Mind… HWK’s blog focusing on estate matters

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...

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...

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...

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...

When people begin getting their affairs in order through the creation of an estate plan, they often face a delicate balancing act between saving on income and estate taxes, protecting their hard-earned savings from their ultimate beneficiaries’ creditors, and providing maximum benefit to their...

Estate planning involves deciding how to plan for the management of your money, property, and well-being before your death and how to distribute your money and property after your death. A comprehensive estate plan should consider the impact that taxes can have on your estate and ensure that your...