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Estate Planning for Your Pets
There's an old court case that goes something like this. A very rich man once left his black cat to his longtime maid, along with a trust fund to be used for the cat’s care and a stipend to the maid. The trustee began to get suspicious when the cat lived a LONG time....
Asset Protection and the $54 Million Pair of Pants: What One Lawsuit Teaches About Protecting Your Family’s Inheritance
“After 2 years in court, I realized we could lose everything we had worked for…I felt heartbroken and overwhelmed.” If you’ve heard us talk about asset protection before, you know we're not usually talking about the ultra‑wealthy with private jets and offshore...
The Hidden Costs of Doing Nothing: Why Waiting to Plan Could Cost Your Family Everything
Why Waiting to Plan Is So Costly Delaying estate and elder care planning almost always leads to higher taxes, legal fees, family conflict, and emotional stress. High-profile cases like Prince, Aretha Franklin, and Stan Lee show how even wealthy, successful people can...
Our Blog
Estate Planning for Your Pets
There's an old court case that goes something like this. A very rich man once left his black cat to his longtime maid, along with a trust fund to be used for the cat’s care and a stipend to the maid. The trustee began to get suspicious when the cat lived a LONG time....
Asset Protection and the $54 Million Pair of Pants: What One Lawsuit Teaches About Protecting Your Family’s Inheritance
“After 2 years in court, I realized we could lose everything we had worked for…I felt heartbroken and overwhelmed.” If you’ve heard us talk about asset protection before, you know we're not usually talking about the ultra‑wealthy with private jets and offshore...
The Hidden Costs of Doing Nothing: Why Waiting to Plan Could Cost Your Family Everything
Why Waiting to Plan Is So Costly Delaying estate and elder care planning almost always leads to higher taxes, legal fees, family conflict, and emotional stress. High-profile cases like Prince, Aretha Franklin, and Stan Lee show how even wealthy, successful people can...
The 12 Days of Estate Planning: A Holiday Family Checklist
Here’s a practical, step-by-step checklist to organize your estate planning for your family’s peace of mind. It covers essentials like updating wills, sharing digital access, while also preparing you for “what ifs.” And, as our gift to you, here's a link to download a...
What to Know About Caregiving by 50, 60, and 70: A Guide for Families
Quick Takeaways (TL;DR) Start caregiving conversations early: Talk with loved ones about their wishes for aging, long-term care, and end-of-life scenarios well before decisions are urgent. Key planning milestones: At 50, focus on financial and legal prep; in...
Spread Thanksgiving Cheer: Help Us Provide Baskets for Local Seniors
As Thanksgiving approaches, Edwards Group is excited to continue our tradition of giving back to the community. This year, we’re partnering again with Senior Services of Central Illinois to provide Thanksgiving baskets for local seniors who could use a little extra...
Two Types of Asset Organization Mistakes (And How to Avoid Heartache)
TL;DR Summary (Executive Summary) Asset organization is crucial—forgetting key details or mismatching legal documents can cause hardship for your family. The two biggest mistakes: 1) not keeping an updated, detailed master list; 2) letting your accounts/titles/plans...
Is There Really a “Reading of the Will”? What Actually Happens After Someone Dies?
People often ask us, “When do we have the reading of the Will?” That’s understandable, because for decades, movies and TV shows have shown dramatic “Will readings” where families gather in a lawyer’s office for a big reveal. Think Knives Out – the millionaire leaves...
3 Medicaid Myths that Could Cost Your Family
Those of us who are entering our senior years (or who love someone who is) are used to hearing about Medicare, the program that offers healthcare to those over 65. Many of us are knowledgeable about the details and benefits of Medicare; we are familiar with how it...
6 Estate Planning Challenges Blended Families Face—and How to Avoid Them!
Blended families face unique estate planning challenges, but with open communication and the right legal tools, families can avoid conflict and ensure all loved ones are protected. A blended family is a celebration of hope. It’s also an opportunity for challenges. If...