Blog Articles
The White Elephant Gift Nobody Wants: Family Conflict
Holiday White Elephant gift exchanges are meant to be fun — a little chaotic, a little competitive, and mostly harmless. Someone steals a gift they really want. Someone else ends up with something they definitely don’t. A few laughs, maybe a lingering joke, and then everyone moves on. But when families are left without a clear estate plan, that same dynamic can play out after a loss — only this time, it’s not gag gifts on the table. It’s a family home, a classic car, treasured jewelry, or a cabin filled with memories. And there’s no laughter at the end.
Caring for Aging Parents: How to Protect Relationships and Plan Ahead
When adult siblings come together to care for aging parents, something unexpected often happens. Instead of bringing families closer, the experience frequently exposes old wounds and creates new rifts that never fully heal. What should be a time of unity becomes a source of lasting conflict.
With over 37 million Americans providing unpaid eldercare, these painful dynamics play out across the country every single day. And while you may be focused on caring for your own parents right now, there's an uncomfortable truth you need to face: someday, your children might be in this exact position, trying to coordinate your care.
The question is, will you leave them a roadmap or a minefield?
How to Talk to Your Loved Ones About Death, Money, and Estate Planning at the Holidays
As the holidays approach, families gather to share food, laughter, and stories. But amid the joy, there is often an unspoken truth: many families avoid the conversations that matter most. What will happen when you are gone? How will your loved ones be cared for? What legacy will you leave behind?
This season offers a rare opportunity to bring love, not fear, into these important conversations. In this article, you will learn how to shift your mindset about death and money, how to open heartfelt conversations with your family, and how to turn those talks into meaningful action with a Life & Legacy Plan.
