During the initial stages of estate planning, one of the early questions you may face could be deciding between a will or a trust. Each person’s situation is unique, and your specific facts will determine the best course of action for you. It’s essential to note that estate planning is for all estates, so even…
When celebrities disinherit their heirs, it creates some juicy gossip and clickbait. Making this decision for yourself, however, can feel heavy and overwhelming. There are many reasons why you may choose to disinherit a child or relative. Maybe your heir has become financially successful and no longer needs the money from your estate. Perhaps you…
In the past 2+ years of pandemic living, many of us got used to doing tasks for ourselves that we never would have considered before. Whether it was homeschooling your children, becoming a seasoned pro at baking sourdough, or giving your dog a haircut, closed businesses and difficult scheduling necessitated some new do-it-yourself hacks. For…
Schromen Law, LLC is a supporter/ally of the LGBTQ community. We put in the work to competently and consciously represent individuals/couples in this community, and we strive to be intentionally supportive of and sensitive to gender expressions. We are always thrilled to help LGBTQ individuals and/or couples with their estate planning needs — from pre-…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this year, more than ever, it is important to raise awareness and reduce stigma. Mental illness can affect anybody, at any time. Treating a mental health condition is rarely an easy task, and recovery is oftentimes not a straight line. For some, a mental health condition and/or substance…
A traditional “nuclear family,” typically consists of a mother, father, and two children. However, what makes up a typical family structure in our society has shifted to a more complex structure, including step-children, cohabitation, same-sex couples, and blended family structures. While basic estate planning principles are similar for any family, there may be extra steps…
It is common that an event or experience will cause someone to take steps to start their estate planning. In my experience, it is the expecting, or birth, of a baby that most often leads people into my office. It may seem that amidst buying baby clothes and developing a birth plan, estate planning would…
Legally, pets are classified as property, but to owners, they mean much more than that. Pets are companions, best friends, and members of the family. For many people, pets are an integral part of the family. A pet gives unconditional love. But what happens to our pets when we can no longer care for them?…
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin With this famous line written in 1789, Benjamin Franklin offered a friend some wisdom that has become one of his most-quoted quips. While some taxes are certain, Estate and Inheritance tax laws continue to evolve. An Estate Tax is…
Bringing up the topic of estate planning with parents is something that many people avoid. It is an awkward, seemingly morbid, conversation to start with aging parents. You may fear your parents will feel you are invading their privacy, or assessing your inheritance prematurely. However, it is an incredibly important and necessary conversation to start. “Hey,…
