Field Notes
Planning Realities & Hard Truths
These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re patterns. If you’ve seen a plan fall apart, you’ll know what I mean.
What You’re Really Paying For Isn’t on the Page
The Will isn’t the value. The judgment behind it is.
Why I Almost Never Recommend Joint Ownership with Adult Kids
Joint ownership sounds simple. It’s usually a trap.
The Emotional Cost of a Trust - When Control Becomes Judgment
Controlled their money, but gained their hatred.
Why Your Will Might Not Even Matter
Your Will only controls what flows through your estate.
The real problems start with what doesn’t.
The Will Isn’t the Risk—The People Are
Most Wills don’t fail on paper. They fail when the wrong people get involved.
The Cottage Succession Plan Isn't About the Cottage
Too many wrong assumptions can break the best plan.
This site shares real-world insights from my work as an estate planning lawyer. It’s not legal advice, and it won’t cover every situation. But it will show you what tends to go wrong—and what usually holds up.