Sharpe Planning

05/27/2026

Something to consider before your child leaves for college - once your son or daughter becomes a legal adult, you, as the parent, no longer have automatic rights to make medical or financial decisions on their behalf, even in an emergency. That is why it is so important to have the right legal documents in place. Swipe through the attached images to learn more about health care proxys, HIPAA authorizations, living wills, and durable financial power of attorney.

If your child needs help preparing or executing these documents, we can help. Give us a call today.

05/13/2026

May is Older Americans Month, and in honor of the month, we wanted to share a couple of key proactive steps you can take to ensure your estate plan meets your needs and protects your family. Here are some key actions you can take today:

🔹 Organize important documents - Your estate plan is only effective if the right people can access it. Make sure documents like wills, trusts, insurance policies, account statements, property records, and beneficiary designations are easily accessible to trusted family members. Include written passwords and other important papers as well.

🔹 Inventory your assets - Take stock of your financial, physical, and digital property, and cross-reference it with your estate plan to ensure nothing has been left out. If you've recently acquired an asset you'd like to include, or notice something missing, let's discuss it.

🔹 Plan memorial or final arrangements - While difficult, this is a crucial step. Determine where you'll be laid to rest, document specific requests for final arrangements, and consider pre-paying for services. This helps ease the burden on loved ones and ensures your final wishes are respected.

Taking these steps can help bring you and your family clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. If you have questions about your estate plan, feel free to reach out. We are here to help.

05/06/2026

May is Older Americans Month, and to honor the month, I wanted to take a moment to share a few key areas where our team can help to ensure your estate plan meets your needs as you and your family get older.

📋 Living trusts help ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes while potentially avoiding probate. Unlike a will, a trust can take effect during your lifetime and allow for seamless asset management if you become incapacitated.

📋 Powers of attorney authorize trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf, preventing delays, confusion, or court intervention.

📋 Advance health care directives allow you to outline medical treatment preferences and appoint a health care agent to advocate for those wishes if you become incapacitated.

Having these documents in place brings clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. If you have questions about your estate plan or would like to discuss these documents, feel free to reach out.

04/29/2026

While major assets often get the most attention, some of the biggest conflicts I see involve personal items like heirlooms, furniture, or jewelry, which often carry deep sentimental value and can lead to disputes when they are not clearly addressed. Without a clear plan:

🔹Unclear distribution can create confusion between family members.
🔹Sentimental items may not end up with the right person.
🔹Small oversights run the risk of creating emotional rifts within your family.

It can be a good idea to use a personal property memorandum to clearly outline who should receive which items, while keeping your will easy to update.

If you have questions about your current estate plan or would like to schedule a review, do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you.

04/22/2026

Naming a primary beneficiary is an important step, but it is not enough on its own. If that person is unable or unwilling to inherit your assets and no backup plan is in place, you risk:

🔹Assets ending up in probate.
🔹The distribution of assets not reflecting your wishes.
🔹Your plan lacking the flexibility life demands.

With this in mind, it can be a good idea to name alternative beneficiaries and include contingency clauses to keep your plan aligned and your assets protected, even when life changes.

If you are unsure whether your estate plan is flexible enough, now is a good time to review it. Contact us today to get started.

04/15/2026

This spring, we are sharing an important reminder that estate planning helps protect you and your loved ones in all seasons of life. With a strong foundation and regular updates, your estate plan can grow with you.

If you do not already have an estate plan or need to update your existing plan, give us a call. We are here to help you.

04/13/2026

Giving large gifts to family seems generous, but federal tax rules can reduce what heirs receive.

Maximize estate planning.

04/08/2026

Today, much of what we own lives online, including:

✅ Bank accounts
✅ Email addresses
✅ Digital photos
✅ Social media accounts
✅ Cryptocurrency

However, if these assets are not listed in your estate plan, they can go unaccounted for, resulting in your loved ones not having legal access to retrieve them. With that in mind, it is important to keep an up-to-date list of your digital assets and login information in a secure location, and appoint a digital executor to make managing these assets easier.

Many older plans do not account for digital assets. If you are unsure how to incorporate them in your estate plan, contact us today. We are here to help.

04/01/2026

Taxes are likely top of mind right now, and people often do not associate estate planning with taxes. However, it is important to ensure your estate plans are set up to work efficiently alongside your tax strategy. Swipe to learn more.

If you would like to review your current estate plan or it has been a few years since your documents were last updated, please reach out. We are here to help you navigate any changes with clarity and confidence.

02/06/2026

New parents should name a designated guardian in their will, in the event both parents die or are unable to care for the child.

Selecting a Durable Power of Attorney is key.