Hall Legal Services

06/04/2026

While marriage equality provides many legal protections, estate planning remains an important step for both married and unmarried same-sex couples. Learn more about strategies that can help safeguard your loved ones and legacy.

An estate plan tailored for same‑sex couples is both an expression of love and a practical necessity. While marriage equality offers some protections, significant legal and financial differences remain, particularly for unmarried partners. By creating a clear plan that addresses property ownership...

06/02/2026

Selecting the right executor requires choosing an organized, reliable individual who can manage complex administrative tasks, navigate family dynamics, and dedicate months to settling your estate. To prevent delays and legal hurdles, avoid automatically appointing co-executors, obtain the candidate's prior consent, and name an alternate or estate attorney to handle the process.

This decision can be one of the toughest parts of estate planning

05/28/2026

Estate planning puts you in control of your assets and care—start with an inventory, update beneficiaries, and set durable powers of attorney and health‑care directives. Review regularly and consult an estate‑planning attorney for a confidential, state‑specific review.

For estate planning, take inventory, account for family needs, establish directives, review beneficiaries, note state tax laws, weigh getting help and reassess.

05/26/2026

Did you know that outdated beneficiary designations on your retirement accounts or life insurance policies can completely override your trust? Do not let a simple paperwork mismatch misdirect your inheritance. Check out these five vital trust rules and call us to update your plan.

Seniors should review these five revocable living trust rules before June to avoid probate mistakes, tax confusion, and Medicaid surprises.

05/21/2026

Estate planning involves more than simply filling out forms or using online templates. Learn more about the role an estate planning attorney can play in helping protect your assets and long-term wishes.

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate-planning/lawyers-role/

05/19/2026

Your financial advisor can tell you why you need a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT) to protect your wealth, but only an experienced estate planning attorney can legally build it. Read this excellent breakdown on the power of SLATs, and contact our legal team when you are ready to execute your plan.

https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/wealth-management-insights/protect-assets-with-a-SLAT

05/14/2026

Beneficiary forms on retirement accounts, life insurance, and POD/TOD accounts generally control who receives those assets — review and update your beneficiary designations after major life events to avoid unintended outcomes.

Most Americans believe their will distributes their estate, but that's not the case with retirement accounts, life insurance, and more.

05/12/2026

The 2026 tax laws offer massive wealth-saving opportunities, but your financial advisor can’t do it alone. Advanced strategies like SLATs, GRATs, and Dynasty Trusts require expert legal drafting to actually work. Read this breakdown of the new rules, then contact our attorneys to legally secure your assets.

Don't wait until it's too late! Get your estate planning strategies in place before 2025. Visit Citizens Private Bank to find out how you can prepare.

05/07/2026

An executor must inventory assets, notify creditors and beneficiaries, file the will with probate court, and submit a final accounting before distributing assets; consider consulting a probate attorney for next steps.

An executor must act in an estate’s best interest while performing all tasks necessary to lead the estate through the probate process and distribute its assets.

05/05/2026

A revocable (living) trust is flexible and can avoid probate but offers little creditor protection; an irrevocable trust is harder to change but can shield assets and provide estate-tax benefits — consult a qualified estate/trust attorney to determine which fits your situation. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/071615/what-difference-between-revocable-trust-and-living-trust.asp