If your parent gave you power of attorney, you may have been able to handle important financial and legal matters for them while they were alive. But what happens when your parent dies? A power of attorney generally ends at death, so you cannot simply continue using it. Learn what happens next, who may have authority to handle your parent's estate, and what steps you should take after a parent dies.

A will and a power of attorney serve different purposes, and knowing the difference is an important part of estate planning. A will names the person who will administer your estate after your death, while a power of attorney can give someone authority to act on your behalf while you are alive. Learn why outdated documents can leave your family without the authority they need and why reviewing your plan matters.

Your estate planning attorney can prepare the documents, but they cannot plan for what they do not know. Family relationships, beneficiary designations, property in another state, and concerns about a beneficiary, long-term care, and sentimental belongings can all affect your estate plan. Discover 10 things to discuss with your attorney so you can make the most of your estate planning meeting and help ensure your plan reflects your family, your goals, and your wishes.

If you died tomorrow, who would handle your estate? It may not be the person you expect. The estate dispute involving actress Daveigh Chase shows why choosing the right person to administer your estate matters. Learn how Alabama and Florida determine who can serve, what to consider when choosing an executor or personal representative, and how thoughtful planning can help your family avoid uncertainty.

Worried that Medicaid could force you to sell your home to pay for nursing home care? The answer may surprise you. In Alabama, your home may be protected for Medicaid eligibility purposes, but liens and estate recovery can still affect your property. Learn what Alabama Medicaid rules mean for your home, when your property may be at risk, and how planning ahead may give you more options to protect what you have worked hard to build.

Blended families often have unique estate planning needs. In Alabama and Florida, unadopted stepchildren generally do not automatically inherit from a stepparent. This guide explains how stepparents can provide for stepchildren, protect children from previous relationships, and coordinate wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and asset ownership. Thoughtful estate planning can help ensure your wishes—not default inheritance laws—determine who receives your assets.

Many people assume their will or trust controls everything after they pass away. But assets such as life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and certain bank accounts often pass according to the beneficiary designation on file—even when it does not match the rest of their estate plan. Learn why keeping your beneficiary designations up to date is essential to ensuring your assets pass to the people you intend to receive them.

Many people assume their loved ones will have to go through probate after they pass away, but that is not always the case. Whether probate is required often depends on how your assets are owned and whether you have taken steps to coordinate your estate plan. In this article, we explain what probate is, which assets typically go through probate, which assets may avoid it, and how thoughtful estate planning can help make the process easier for your family.

Caring for a loved one is one of life's greatest acts of love—but it can also be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. Whether you are helping an aging parent, spouse, or another family member, the right legal planning can ease uncertainty and reduce stress. In this guide, you will learn practical caregiving tips, the essential estate planning documents every Alabama family should have, and how planning ahead can help protect both you and the people you love.

Sending a child off to college is an exciting milestone, but many parents overlook an important part of the preparation process. Once your child reaches the age of legal adulthood—18 in Florida and 19 in Alabama—you may no longer have the legal authority to make healthcare or financial decisions on their behalf. Learn which legal documents every college-bound student should consider before move-in day and why planning ahead can provide peace of mind.

If your spouse or parent already needs nursing home care, you may be wondering whether it is too late to protect your savings, family home, or other hard-earned assets. While planning options become more limited once long-term care is needed, it is not always too late. Depending on your circumstances, Alabama Medicaid planning strategies may still be available. Learn what families should know about crisis Medicaid planning, the five-year look-back period, and the options that

Can a handwritten document change your estate plan? After Larry King's death, a handwritten will surfaced that appeared to conflict with his existing estate planning documents, leading to litigation between his widow and children before the parties ultimately reached a confidential settlement. In our latest article, we examine the estate planning lessons from the dispute, including the risks of informal changes and how Alabama and Florida law treat handwritten wills.

Florida's summary administration limit increased from $75,000 to $150,000 on July 1, 2026, making Florida's simplified probate process available to many more families. While the change will allow more estates to avoid formal administration, summary administration is not always the best option. Learn how the new law works, which assets count toward the limit, and when formal probate may still provide important protections for beneficiaries and creditors.

When someone dies, what happens to their debts? Do children inherit credit card balances? Does a revocable living trust protect assets from creditors? This guide explains how debts are handled after death in Alabama and Florida, including the probate process, creditor claim deadlines, insolvent estates, trust assets, final tax returns, and common misconceptions. Learn what families, personal representatives, and trustees need to know to navigate estate administration with con

Most people think estate planning is all about legal documents. But what would happen if your loved ones needed important information during an emergency or period of incapacity? An estate plan provides legal authority, while an emergency binder provides practical information. Learn why both are important, what should be included in an emergency binder, and how the Family Blueprint can help you organize everything in one place.

If you have minor children, choosing who would care for them is one of the most important estate planning decisions you will make. But should that same person also manage their inheritance? This article explores the differences between guardians and trustees, when it may make sense to separate those roles, and how thoughtful planning can help protect your children and their future.

Many families avoid difficult estate planning conversations because they feel uncomfortable or overwhelming. But avoiding them can create more stress during a crisis. Whether it is choosing who will make decisions if something happens to you, discussing medical wishes, or naming guardians for children, these conversations matter. Learn the key estate planning discussions every family should have—and why having them now can make life easier later.

What happens to your online accounts after death? From email and banking platforms to social media and digital photos, much of life now exists online. Without planning, loved ones may struggle to access important information, pay bills, or preserve meaningful memories. Learn how digital assets fit into estate planning and the practical steps that can make things easier for your family.

Many people assume estate planning is mainly for married couples or parents, but it can be even more important for adults without a spouse or children. Without a plan, important decisions about healthcare, finances, and inheritance may be left to distant relatives or the court. Learn how estate planning helps protect your independence, appoint trusted decision-makers, and ensure your wishes are followed.

Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) are an estate planning tool used to help individuals plan ahead for the potential cost of long-term care in Alabama. This article explains how MAPTs work, the importance of the 5-year Medicaid look-back rule, and why timing is critical. It also discusses probate avoidance, incapacity planning, and key considerations families should understand before establishing an irrevocable trust as part of a long-term care planning strategy.