Family Feud - not a game show you want to be in! If you know the game show ‘Family Feud’ there are winners and losers.  Similarly, when it comes to family feuds over family wealth there will be winners and losers but with devasting effect, tearing families apart.   With my recent client, whose names have been changed for anonymity, such devasting effect can’t be understated.  This brings into focus the importance of ‘ Family Inclusive Estate and Succession Planning ’ and havi

"I love you wills" - don't let love be a burden Valentine's Day brings romance, roses, chocolates and champagne. For an estate planning lawyer, Valentine's Day means reviewing clients that have "I Love You” Wills.   It is used by many married couples where each spouse leaves all their assets to the survivor.  Upon the surviving spouse passing, then their remaining assets are left to their children.  While this type of estate planning is simple, for an estate planning lawyer,

Death is not a Joke! Jokes aside, death is no laughing matter, particularly, if you don't have a will. Dying without a will can be disruptive and have serious consequences including: Unintended outcomes Beneficiaries that you wanted to benefit could miss out due to strict succession rules that may trigger a distant relative inheriting assets. You could lose control over minor children leading to those children being raised by someone else that was never intended. Financial d