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Estate Planning Blog

Trusted legal guidance for individuals and families, and helping you protect what you’ve built and plan for what comes next.

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  • Medicaid Planning
Missouri Medicaid Spend-Down: What Counts, What Doesn’t, and the 5-Year Trap
Missouri sets its own Medicaid asset limit, and it is higher than the figure most websites quote. Here is what counts, what is exempt, and how the five-year look-back can delay coverage for a family that meant well.
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  • Elder Law
Does Your Spouse Really Have the Final Say? Healthcare Power of Attorney in Missouri
Many married couples assume a spouse can step in and make medical decisions if the other cannot. Missouri law does not work that way. Here is what the document does and what families face without one.
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  • Trust Administration
Beneficiary Deeds in Missouri: The Shortcut That Can Backfire
A beneficiary deed can move your home out of probate for the price of a recording fee. It can also leave your family with debts, disputes, or a house nobody can sell, which is why the details deserve a closer look.
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  • Estate Planning
What “Per Stirpes” Actually Means on Your Missouri Beneficiary Form
Per stirpes is one small phrase on a beneficiary form, and it quietly decides whether a grandchild inherits or receives nothing. Here is what it means, what Missouri assumes when a form is silent, and why the wording is worth a second look.
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  • Estate Planning
What “Per Stirpes” Actually Means on Your Missouri Beneficiary Form
Per stirpes is one small phrase on a beneficiary form, and it quietly decides whether a grandchild inherits or receives nothing. Here is what it means, what Missouri assumes when a form is silent, and why the wording is worth a second look.
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  • Estate Planning
The Tale of Two Mothers: A True Story About Why the Right Estate Plan Matters
Two women in one family died a year apart with nearly identical assets. One estate closed in about six months. The other took seventeen. Here is what made the difference.
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  • Estate Planning
“I Have a Will, So I’m Fine” — and Other Probate Myths That Hurt Families
A will is a good start, but it does not do everything people assume. Here is a plain-English look at the probate myths that quietly cost Missouri families time, money, and peace of mind.
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  • Trust Administration
5 Assets Chesterfield Families Forget to Move Into Their Trust
Creating a living trust is an important part of estate planning, but it's only effective if the right assets are connected to it. Here's what Chesterfield families commonly overlook and why reviewing your trust can help avoid unnecessary complications later.
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  • Probate
The First 3 Things to Do When You’re Named Executor
Being named executor after the loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming. Understanding your first responsibilities can help you avoid common mistakes and move through the Missouri probate process with greater confidence.
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  • Probate
How Chesterfield Families End Up in Probate — and How to Stay Out
Many Missouri families are surprised to learn which assets must pass through probate and which do not. Understanding how probate works, and planning ahead, can help reduce unnecessary delays, costs, and stress for the people you care about most.
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