We know—2026 sounds like it’s forever away. But when it comes to your estate plan, the calendar is not your friend. Right now, the federal estate and gift tax exemptions are sky-high. But unless Congress steps in (and when was the last time they did anything quickly?), those exemptions are set to drop like a…
When Hollywood legend Gene Hackman passed away in February 2025 at the age of 95, he left behind more than an impressive film career—he left behind a tangled estate plan. Despite decades of success and ample resources, even someone as iconic as Hackman made a mistake that families across the country can learn from: assuming…
When people think about estate planning, they usually think about wills and trusts—not obscure tax laws. But let us introduce you to one you should care about: the step-up in basis. There’s been talk in Washington about eliminating it, and if that happens? Families could face massive tax bills on inherited property. Like, “sell Grandma’s…
Everyone’s buzzing about “The Great Wealth Transfer”—a jaw-dropping $84 trillion projected to change hands between generations over the next 20 years. Sounds like champagne and private islands, right? Not so fast. Here’s the catch: most Americans still don’t have an estate plan. That means a giant chunk of that money could vanish into legal fees,…
