Do you draft wills and trusts?

No, we don't practice law. We coordinate with estate planning attorneys to ensure your legal documents align with your financial strategy. We'll refer you to a qualified attorney and work with them to implement the plan.

Should I convert my IRA to a Roth for my heirs?

Often, yes. Inherited traditional IRAs are now subject to the 10-year rule, which can push heirs into high tax brackets. Converting to a Roth during your lifetime (when you control the timing and tax impact) can save your heirs tens of thousands in taxes. We model this scenario as part of your estate plan.

What's a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

A QCD allows you to donate up to $105,000 per year directly from your IRA to charity (after age 70½). The distribution counts toward your RMD but doesn't increase your taxable income — a powerful strategy for reducing taxes and supporting causes you care about.

When should I update my estate plan?

Review your estate plan annually and update it after major life events like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant asset changes, or moves to a different state. We conduct an annual beneficiary audit for all clients to ensure your designations still match your intentions.

What happens to my beneficiaries if I don't have an estate plan?

Without an estate plan, state law decides who gets your assets, courts appoint guardians for minor children, and your family may face lengthy probate processes and unnecessary taxes. Proper planning ensures your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Do I need a trust if I have a will?

A will requires probate — a public, court-supervised process that can take months and cost thousands. A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely, keeps your affairs private, and allows for seamless transfer of assets to your beneficiaries. For most retirees with significant assets, a trust is worth the upfront cost.

How often should I update my estate plan?

Review your estate plan every 3-5 years, or sooner after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child or grandchild, death of a beneficiary, significant changes in net worth, or moving to a new state. Tax law changes can also necessitate updates.

What happens to my retirement accounts when I die?

Non-spouse beneficiaries must withdraw all inherited retirement account funds within 10 years under the SECURE Act (with required annual distributions for most). A surviving spouse has more flexibility — they can roll the inherited IRA into their own IRA and delay distributions until their own RMD age. Proper beneficiary designations are critical because they override your will.

Estate & Legacy Planning

Protect What
You've Built.

The Architecture of Legacy.

Estate planning isn't about how much you have — it's about making sure your assets go where you want, when you want, with minimal taxes and zero family conflict. We coordinate every piece so nothing falls through the cracks.

Start Your Estate Plan

Couple walking together planning their legacy

"Estate planning isn't about death. It's about protecting the people you love while you're alive."

Mike Stevens

Also Seen On

Scope

Trusts, wills, beneficiaries, legacy

Coordination

With your estate attorney

Review

Annual

Beneficiary Audit

Included

Cost

Included

Does This Sound Familiar?

The most common estate planning gaps we see with families approaching or already in retirement.

Your will was drafted 20 years ago

Life has changed. Your family has grown. Your assets have shifted. But your estate plan hasn't been updated since 2005.

Your beneficiaries don't match

Your will says one thing, but your IRA beneficiary form says another. And beneficiary designations override your will — every time.

You don't have a plan at all

You know you need a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive. But you haven't gotten around to it, and your family is at risk.

Your heirs will lose 40% to taxes

Inherited IRAs are a tax bomb. Without proper planning, your kids could lose nearly half of what you leave them to income taxes.

The Solution

Comprehensive Coordination.
Transparent Results.

Estate Metrics

Protection Efficiency

Wealth Preserved vs. No Planning 40%more

Review Frequency Annual

Beneficiary Audit Included

What We Coordinate

Complete Estate Alignment

We don't draft legal documents — that's what estate attorneys do. But we coordinate the entire process, ensuring your financial plan aligns with your legal documents and your beneficiary designations match your intentions.

Will and trust review with attorney referrals
Beneficiary designation audit and updates
Roth conversion strategies for tax-free inheritance
Inherited IRA distribution planning for heirs
Annual gifting strategies ($18,000/year per person)
Charitable giving (QCDs, donor-advised funds)
Life insurance as a wealth transfer tool
Power of attorney and healthcare directive coordination

Couple reviewing their estate plan together

Wealth Transfer

Three Steps to
Legacy Clarity

It's simpler than you think.

Become a Client

Step 01

Review & Audit

Review existing documents, beneficiary designations, and account titling to identify gaps and risks.

Step 02

Coordinate with Attorney

Work with your estate attorney (or refer you to one) to create or update your legal documents.

Step 03

Implement Tax Strategies

Execute wealth transfer strategies (Roth conversions, gifting, charitable planning) to minimize taxes for heirs.

Critical Warning

Your Beneficiary Designations Override Your Will

This is the most common and costly estate planning mistake we see.

Your 401(k), IRA, life insurance, and annuity contracts all pass to whomever is named on the beneficiary designation form — regardless of what your will or trust says. If you named an ex-spouse 20 years ago and never updated it, they will inherit your retirement account. Your current spouse, children, or trust will have no legal claim.

Accounts with beneficiary designations that override your will:

401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans
Traditional and Roth IRAs
Life insurance policies
Annuity contracts
Transfer-on-death (TOD) brokerage accounts
Payable-on-death (POD) bank accounts

We conduct an annual beneficiary audit for every client — reviewing each account to ensure designations are current, consistent with your estate plan, and aligned with your wishes. It takes one outdated form to undo years of careful planning.

CRITICAL WARNING

Beneficiary Designations Override Your Will

Your beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and annuities override your will and trust documents. It does not matter what your will says — the beneficiary form on file with your custodian controls who inherits those assets.

We see this mistake regularly: a client updates their will after a divorce or remarriage but forgets to update the beneficiary designation on their 401(k) or IRA. The result? The ex-spouse inherits the account, and the current spouse has no legal claim.

As part of every client engagement, we conduct an annual beneficiary audit to ensure your designations are current, consistent with your estate plan, and structured for maximum tax efficiency for your heirs.

Common Questions

Estate Planning FAQ

Learn how to protect your legacy and minimize taxes for your heirs.

Ask About Estate Planning

Ready to protect your legacy?

Every family's story is different. Schedule a complimentary visit to discuss your estate planning goals and see how we coordinate every piece — taxes, beneficiaries, documents, and strategy.

Schedule Your Visit

A Fiduciary Promise

Protect What
You've Built.