Why an Advance Health Care Directive Is the Best Gift You Can Give Your Family
Ariane Sims Ariane Sims

Why an Advance Health Care Directive Is the Best Gift You Can Give Your Family

Imagine being unable to speak for yourself during a medical crisis, and your family members are left guessing what you would want. This nightmare scenario plays out in hospitals across California every day, but it doesn't have to happen to you. An Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) is your voice when you can't use it: a powerful legal document that ensures your medical wishes are followed and prevents your loved ones from fighting over difficult decisions…

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Off to College? Why Your 18-Year-Old Needs More Than a Laptop—The Vital Paperwork Every Parent Should Know About
Ariane Sims Ariane Sims

Off to College? Why Your 18-Year-Old Needs More Than a Laptop—The Vital Paperwork Every Parent Should Know About

When your teen turns 18 and heads off to college, it’s a huge milestone—for both of you. But as they toss their cap in the air and start packing up their room, most families aren’t thinking about something just as important as laptops and bedding: legal adulthood and the shift it brings to your rights as a parent. Once your child turns 18, you suddenly lose access to their medical and financial information—even in an emergency. That’s why having the right documents in place is vital before move-in day.

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How Beneficiary Designations Put Your Family at Risk
Ariane Sims Ariane Sims

How Beneficiary Designations Put Your Family at Risk

Many financial advisors, accountants, and even other lawyers will tell you that you don’t need an estate plan and that naming beneficiaries on your accounts is enough. But they’re not telling you about the risks you may unknowingly take with your family's financial future…

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The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025: What It Could Mean for You and Your Loved Ones
Ariane Sims Ariane Sims

The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025: What It Could Mean for You and Your Loved Ones

Have you ever worked your entire life to build something valuable, only to worry about a significant portion being taken away after your death, and before it gets to the people you love? That's the reality many American families face when thinking about the estate tax – sometimes called the "death tax." There's a legislative proposal gaining momentum that could change everything about how wealth transfers between generations. But what would these changes really mean for you and your loved ones?

Let’s explore the potential impact on you and those you love…

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Gene Hackman’s Estate: A Wake-Up Call
Ariane Sims Ariane Sims

Gene Hackman’s Estate: A Wake-Up Call

Gene Hackman's $80 million fortune is in legal limbo after his wife died just days before he did, highlighting the estate planning crisis that countless families face, including possibly yours…

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