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Eckert & Krautkramer, LLC practices extensively in the area of elder law, which encompasses preparation and planning for present and future financial and healthcare needs.

10/29/2026

Do Not Wait for the Perfect Time to Plan

There is no perfect time to create an estate plan—but waiting too long can leave your family unprotected when they need you most.

Many people put off estate planning because they think they are too young, do not have enough assets, or simply have not found the time. But estate planning is about more than wealth. It allows you to choose who will manage your finances, make healthcare decisions if you become incapacitated, and receive your assets after your death.

Waiting for retirement, a major life event, or a health scare can mean losing the opportunity to make these important decisions yourself. Without a plan, state law or the court may determine what happens instead.

Contact our office today to get started on an estate plan that protects you, reflects your wishes, and provides peace of mind for your family.

10/22/2026

What Not to Do When Estate Planning

A few common estate planning mistakes can leave your family facing unnecessary stress, expense, and uncertainty.

One of the biggest mistakes is waiting for the “right time” to plan. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or older adults—it helps protect your assets, prepare for incapacity, and ensure your wishes are followed.

Other costly mistakes include assuming a will covers everything, overlooking beneficiary designations, relying on generic online forms, and failing to update your plan after major life changes. Choosing the wrong executor or trustee can also create complications for your loved ones and make settling your estate more difficult than needed.

Your estate plan does not have to be perfect, but it should reflect your circumstances and goals.

Contact our office today to review your estate plan, avoid common pitfalls, and help protect what matters most to you and your family.

10/15/2026

Digital Vaults: The Tool You May Be Missing

If something happened to you tomorrow, would your family know where to find your important financial records, insurance policies, medical information, and estate planning documents?

A digital vault provides a secure place to organize these essential records and share selected information with the people you trust. Whether your family faces a medical emergency, a natural disaster, or the responsibility of settling your estate, having everything organized in one place can save time, reduce stress, and help prevent important assets from being overlooked.

However, a digital vault does not replace a legally valid estate plan or give someone authority to act on your behalf. It works best alongside properly prepared estate planning documents.

Contact us to discuss how digital vaults and estate planning can work together to protect your family.

10/08/2026

Before You Go to Court Over an Estate

When a loved one dies, disagreements over a will, trust, or inheritance can quickly turn into a family conflict. Before heading to court, however, it is important to understand what litigation can really cost—not just in money, but in time, privacy, and relationships.

Estate disputes can involve significant fees, expert witnesses, court costs, and months or even years of proceedings. Even winning a case may feel like losing if the legal expenses consume much of the inheritance.

That does not mean going to court is always the wrong choice. Strong evidence of undue influence, financial exploitation, or other wrongdoing may justify taking legal action. In other situations, mediation may provide a faster, less expensive, and more private path toward resolution.

Contact us before you take the fight to court to discuss your options and the potential costs involved.

10/01/2026

How Well Do You Know Your Own Estate Plan?

If someone handed you your estate plan today, could you pass a pop quiz about what it actually says?

Do you know who would manage your estate? Who would make financial and medical decisions if you became incapacitated? Who would care for your minor children? Do your beneficiary designations and asset titles still match your plan? And does your family know where to find your original documents when they need them most?

Having an estate plan and understanding what is in it are two different things. Life changes, memories fade, and decisions made years ago may no longer fit your family or circumstances or reflect your current wishes and goals.

Contact our office today for an estate plan checkup and make sure you know the answers before your family needs them.

09/24/2026

Making Sense of Per Stirpes

A few words in your estate plan can make a big difference in how your family inherits.

Have you ever wondered what happens if one of your children dies before you? Does that child’s share automatically pass to your grandchildren—or could the inheritance be divided differently?

Terms such as per stirpes, by representation, and per capita describe different ways an estate may be distributed among children and other descendants. Under a per stirpes distribution, a deceased child’s share generally follows that child’s family branch. Other methods may divide assets differently, potentially producing very different results for your grandchildren.

The terminology can be confusing, and the specific language of your estate plan matters. Contact our office today to review your plan and make sure your inheritance wishes are clearly understood.

09/17/2026

Estate Planning Traps Most People Miss

Think your estate plan is up to date? You may be overlooking problems that could create headaches for your family later. An estate plan is not something you create once and forget. As your family, finances, and circumstances change, your plan can become outdated without you realizing it.

Common traps include outdated beneficiary designations, failing to name backup decision-makers, leaving your family without access to important digital information, and gaps in incapacity planning. Other problems arise when your wishes are unclear, a trust has not been properly funded, or you leave beneficiaries property with unexpected expenses, liens, or costs.

A good rule of thumb is to review your estate plan every three to five years—or after a major life event.

Contact our office today to review your plan and help protect your family from these overlooked traps.

09/10/2026

Considerations Before Heading South for Winter

For many snowbirds, cooler weather means it’s time to head south. Before leaving, take a few minutes to make sure your estate plan is ready to travel with you.

If you split your time between states, your residency and domicile can affect taxes, property rights, and your estate plan. Owning property in multiple states can also create additional probate complications.

Before heading south, review your estate planning documents and ask whether your decision-makers and beneficiaries are still appropriate. Make sure your powers of attorney will work where you spend the winter and that your beneficiary designations coordinate with your overall plan.

A little preparation now can help prevent significant problems later. Contact our office before you head south to review your estate plan and make sure you are protected wherever the winter takes you.

09/03/2026

When “We’ll Figure It Out” Becomes a Problem

When a parent’s health crisis hits, families often discover that what they thought they had figured out does not hold up. Good intentions and family agreements do not create legal authority. Hospitals, banks, and other institutions rely on formal documents.

Without a valid power of attorney or other estate planning documents, important decisions can be delayed, and the courts may ultimately determine who has authority to act. Unclear roles can also create confusion and conflict among family members.

A well-designed plan establishes who is responsible, provides backup decision-makers, and puts your wishes in writing. The goal is to help your family move from “What do we do now?” to “We know exactly what to do.”

Contact our office today to put a plan in place before your family faces a crisis.

08/27/2026

The Invisible Estate

Your estate may contain more than you realize. Airline miles, hotel points, credit card rewards, gift cards, travel credits, and other loyalty rewards can represent significant value—but they are often overlooked.

Unlike money in a bank account, rewards points are generally governed by the program’s terms and may not automatically pass to your heirs. Some programs forfeit points at death, while others may allow transfers or redemption after following specific procedures.

The first step is knowing what you have. Keep an inventory of your rewards accounts, approximate balances, and the rules governing them. Make sure your personal representative knows where to find this information and how to access it when the time comes.

Contact our office today to discuss your “invisible estate” and make sure your valuable digital rewards don’t disappear when you do.

Address

630 N 4th Street
Wausau, WI
54403

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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