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August 14th: Today’s Estate Planning Post is Brought to You by the Number 14

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
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August 14th: Today’s Estate Planning Post is Brought to You by the Number 14 By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi August 14, 2026 If you grew up watching public television , you might remember a certain jazzy, animated train that used to chug along the tracks, enthusiastically counting all the way up to 14.  But today, on August 14th, we are not counting freight cars. We’re looking at your filing cabinet.  While the world has gone largely digital, there are still certain critical documents where a PDF on a laptop just won't cut it in an emergency. If your family ever needs to step in to handle your affairs or settle an estate, they will need the real deal. In honor of today's date, here are the 14 essential legal and financial documents you should print out, organize, and keep as hard copies in your home right now. Power of Attorney for Health Care and Power of Attorney for Finances; Authorization for Final Disposition (Wisconsin residents) or paperwork related to burial Deed for your...
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# The Real College Packing List: Why Legal Documents Belong Next to the Mini-Fridge

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
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# The Real College Packing List: Why Legal Documents Belong Next to the Mini-Fridge By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi August 7, 2026 Okay, so he's starting his senior year of high-school....but my "type A" mind is already zooming ahead to next year, the year he'll head off to college.  My oldest is just in the college application phase, but my strategic mind is already thinking about packing lists.  So much so I kept the box from a recent printer I bought, saying "this will come in handy when you move into the dorms".  He gave me a knowing look and kindly let my hyper-planning brain spin.   This looming life event shows up in my YouTube feed as well.  I found myself watching a Holderness video in which their daughter provides advice on kids heading off to college.  The packing list contains the obvious: Twin XL sheets, a shower caddy, a mini-fridge, endless boxes of snacks, and... if you are my child, a healthcare power of attorney. If you look at typical b...
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Growing Up, Moving On: Why Your Estate Plan Needs to Evolve as Your Kids Hit Their Teens

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
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Growing Up, Moving On: Why Your Estate Plan Needs to Evolve as Your Kids Hit Their Teens By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi July 31, 2026 The days are long, but the years are short.  If you are a parent of a teen or young adult you likely just nodded in agreement.  In what feels like a blink of the eye, my youngest just celebrated her Sweet 16 earlier this week.  Before she was born, even before her older brother was born, my estate plan was drafted to plan for the children we hoped for down the road.  Yes, I am that "type A" of a person, but as an estate planning attorney I knew it would be less emotional to write before I had a small bundle in my arms.  When you first draft an estate plan with young children, the focus is almost entirely on protection and survival. You are consumed by the heavy "what-ifs": Who will raise them if the worst happens? How will they be financially supported until they reach adulthood? At that stage, guardian designations and straightforw...
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National Drive-Thru Day: Why There is No "Value Menu" for a Good Will

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
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National Drive-Thru Day: Why There is No "Value Menu" for a Good Will By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi July 24, 2026 Today is July 24th, which means it is officially National Drive-Thru Day . It is a celebration of the ultimate American innovation of convenience. We’ve all relied on them. You pull up to a speaker, read off a standardized menu, hand over a few dollars, and a minute later, a paper bag is handed through your car window. It is cheap, it is fast, and it satisfies an immediate need.  Parenting two teenagers who run cross country as well as track means we have our fair share of trips through the Culver's drive-thru.  It's fast and relatively affordable.  But it's not exactly a quality meal for two athletes.  We are living in the digital age.  Are you bombarded with social media ads for online will kits or do you receive email offers from a nonprofit you donate to that wants to give you a "free will"? In the internet era, it is incredibly tempting t...
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How Deep is Your Bench? What the World Cup Can Teach Us About Estate Planning

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
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How Deep is Your Bench? What the World Cup Can Teach Us About Estate Planning By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi July 17, 2026 Worldwide, it is anticipated that 1.5 billion (yes, that is with a "b" not an "m") are expected to watch the World Cup Final  this Sunday when Spain takes on Argentina.  Even I will tune in, having recently fallen in love with this sport that seems to be unifying people from across the globe. But I won't try and fool you that I know much of anything about soccer.  What I know about the sport can be sourced to watching episodes of Ted Lasso and a few pointers I picked up watching the Ghana vs. Panama match I attended while in Toronto this past June.  My knowledge is limited, yet I have heard it said that championship depends on the "depth of the bench".  Basically, the term refers to the overall quality, skill, and reliability of the substitute players on a roster.  I emphasized the word substitute because it serves as the inspiration...
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The Trust vs. The Allegation: Understanding "Slayer Statutes" in the Wake of Tragedy

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
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The Trust vs. The Allegation: Understanding "Slayer Statutes" in the Wake of Tragedy By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi July 10, 2026 The headlines out of California recently have been nothing short of devastating. Late last year, the tragic deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, stunned the public. Now, a complex legal battle is unfolding in a Los Angeles County probate court, thrusting a quiet corner of estate law directly into the national spotlight. Their son, Nick Reiner, who has pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with their deaths, recently petitioned the court to compel a trustee to release over $1.5 million from a trust his parents established for him. His defense argues that he is presumed innocent and legally entitled to his own resources to fund a private criminal defense. The trustee, however, has withheld the funds. This aspect of the trial highlights a fascinating and rigid legal mechanism embedded in probate codes across the country:...
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Red, White, and True Independence: Why Turning 18 Requires More Than Just a Vote

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi
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Red, White, and True Independence: Why Turning 18 Requires More Than Just a Vote By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi July 3, 2026 Image by M. Gustafson Gervasi 2026 The Summer of 2026 holds to significant birthdays for me.  First, our nation turns 250 years old.  As a member of the legal profession, I hope we see renewed reverence for the rule of law, and strengthen our democratic institutions.  Second, my oldest child turns18 in late summer.  Both of these events cause my mind to think about independence, duty and responsibility that culminate in a desire to educate young adults on a key task they should consider completing on our near their birthday. Turning 18 ushers in a new chapter of your life, heavily dosed with a helping of independence. You can vote, sign up for the selective service, and sign contracts. You are officially an adult in many aspects of life.  However, with this independence comes a responsibility. Many families are surprised to learn that with t...
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