Retirement Trusts after the SECURE Act
Tallgrass Estate Planning Attorney Riley Kern gave a continuing education presentation to the Oklahoma Bar Association's Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Section on May 7. While the presentation was no intended for an audience of non-lawyers, we recognize that there are other attorneys who visit our site and might benefit from this information, and there are many non-lawyers who want to learn more than just the basics about the law.
Care Comes in Many Forms
If you are a caregiver for a loved one, you are making an amazing difference in that person's life. You are offering more of your self, your strength, your emotions, and your time than the rest of us can imagine. And while you are giving so much out of love, you are also likely living with a great deal of anxiety, stress, loneliness, isolation, and irritation.
Probate: Now what?
It’s likely our loved one took the most common path – the one that led to probate. Maybe they left a will or communicated their wishes at the last Thanksgiving dinner. But, they are gone now. And here you are, in the land of probate. We’ve been here too. If you're like many people, you feel lost and without a map. So here are a few things to help you know what to expect.
We Just Want You To Be Happy: Getting the Right Counsel
We get it: We're not right for everyone. We are an unorthodox group of attorneys who work in a non-traditional way, and many people would prefer a more conventional approach. Not often, but it happens. That's totally fine.
Legendary Voice, Common Problems
This month, we lost one of the Greats. Thankfully, we and future generations will be able to dance and fall in love to her songs for decades - hopefully centuries - to come. Nothing but Respect for the Queen.By now, you may have heard that Aretha Franklin died "intestate," that is, without creating a will or other estate plan.
What even IS estate planning?
A little while ago we posted an explainer of what an “estate” even is. So, now that we’ve all read that, the next big question is, “What is estate planning?” Most people think of estate planning as “what happens to my stuff when I die.” But it starts far, far earlier than that.
Estate Planning Rewrites: Roger Rabbit
As a refresher for those who haven’t seen Who Framed Roger Rabbit? in a while: Part of Los Angeles is a cartoon animation called Toontown, filled with cartoon actors (“Toons”) who star in real live-action films and live amongst real people. Toontown is owned by businessman Marvin Acme, who is tragically murdered, and Roger Rabbit—one of the biggest Toons in the biz—is the prime suspect.
Hello. We're Tallgrass. Nice to meet you.
Please allow us to introduce ourselves. We are a team of attorneys who imagine a different way to work and help clients. We are a work in progress, just like you and your family. And here are a few things that drive how we work and where we're headed.
How to Adult (at least a little)
"Adulting" is one of my favorite neologisms, even though it's been criticized harshly by some. If you're new to the word, you've still probably already figured out what it means. It's just a playful way to describe doing typically "adult" things that no one particularly likes to do but everyone has to - doing laundry instead of just buying more underwear, eating your vegetables instead of pizza rolls, actually going to the doctor, paying your taxes, changing a tire, etc, etc, etc. You get the gist.
Your Plan: Wisdom and Generosity
Less than a month until the filing deadline. Some of you show-offs have already filed your returns, and others (like me) are saying you'll get around to it "tomorrow." Not everyone will receive a refund, of course, but those who do should have a plan for how to use it.
Procrastination: It's Not a Matter of Time
If you are not someone who struggles with procrastination, congratulations. If you are like me, however, there always seems to be a list of things you just can't bring yourself to get around to. You tell yourself you'll do it tomorrow, because tomorrow, magically, you will "feel like it" or you will have time or the stars will otherwise align.
Resolution: 4 Reasons Why This is the Year We Do Our Estate Plan
A good estate plan clarifies your wishes and values. If you are temporarily or permanently disabled, who should be in charge of medical decisions about you? What types of decisions should they make? And who should be in charge of your finances? How should they use your money? Should they give to your church? Should they take care of another family member?
Misconceptions: "I don't have much, so I don't need an estate plan."
Estate planning is not about how much stuff you have. It's just not. And yet, the sentiment "We don't have much" is a common response when the topic comes up. I want to take just a few paragraphs to let you know why you need an estate plan, whether you have millions or nothing more than a mortgage and a life insurance policy (or less).
