Santaella Legal Group, APC

Estate plans don't update themselves. Documents you signed years ago may still be legally valid, but that does not necessarily mean they reflect your life today or that they will work as you expect when needed. Here are 7 common estate planning traps that show up over time, along with 7 questions you can use as a simple audit.

The Estate Planning Audit Every Family Should Do Estate plans don't update themselves. Documents you signed years ago may still be legally valid, but that does not necessarily mean they reflect your life today or that they will work as you expect when needed. Here are 7 common estate planning traps that show up over time, along with 7 questions yo...

In 2023, victims of financial fraud aged 60 and older lost an average of $34,000 to scams. Estate planning is one of the most targeted areas because the stakes are high and the process is unfamiliar to many. Here's what the most common scams look like, and how to protect yourself.

Protecting Seniors From Estate Planning Scams In 2023, victims of financial fraud aged 60 and older lost an average of $34,000 to scams. Estate planning is one of the most targeted areas because the stakes are high and the process is unfamiliar to many. Here's what the most common scams look like, and how to protect yourself.

You get a call saying you inherited land you never knew existed. Your first instinct: hang up. But what if it's real? More people than you'd think have unclaimed money or property. This post walks through how to tell a legitimate heir search from a scam, and why it all comes back to having a clear estate plan.

Could You Own Land Without Knowing It? You get a call saying you inherited land you never knew existed. Your first instinct: hang up. But what if it's real? More people than you'd think have unclaimed money or property. This post walks through how to tell a legitimate heir search from a scam, and why it all comes back to having a clear e...

Estate planning looks a little different when you’re single. There’s no spouse to default to, and the people you’d want involved may not be who state law would choose. Here’s what to think about when building a plan that actually reflects your life.

Estate Planning for Single People: What You Need to Know Estate planning looks a little different when you're single. There's no spouse to default to, and the people you'd want involved may not be who state law would choose. Here's what to think about when building a plan that actually reflects your life.

Most people named as executor expect to distribute a few assets and close some accounts. What they don't expect is months of paperwork, creditor claims, family pushback, and probate court. Here's a realistic look at the role, and the rights that come with it.

Executor Rights, Responsibilities, and How to Handle Common Challenges Being named executor is an honor — but the role is more complex than most people expect. Here's what executors need to know before they begin in this blog post.

When you buy a home, you work with a realtor, a lender, an inspector, and a title company. But there's one more call most people forget to make: their estate planning attorney. Here's why it matters and what they can help you with.

How to Integrate a New Home Into Your Estate Plan A new home is one of your biggest assets, and it needs to be properly integrated into your estate plan. Here's how to get that right.

Most new homeowners spend time picking paint colors and setting up utilities, and forget that a new home is also a major asset that needs to be accounted for in their estate plan. Here are three things worth revisiting right after you close.

New Home? Here's What to Update in Your Estate Plan Buying a home is a major milestone — and a good reminder to make sure your estate plan still reflects your life. Here's where to start in this blog post.

When someone passes away, their family is often left scrambling, searching for documents, guessing passwords, and tracking down accounts across multiple locations. A death box won't eliminate the grief, but it can eliminate the chaos. Here's what it is and what goes in it.

What Is a Death Box — and Why Does Your Family Need One? A death box organizes everything your family needs to settle your affairs — so they spend less time searching and more time grieving. Learn more in this blog post.

If you were suddenly unable to speak for yourself, could your medical power of attorney confidently make decisions on your behalf? Naming someone you trust is a start, but if they don't know your wishes, preferences, and priorities, the document can only do so much. Here's what they actually need to know.

What Your Medical Power of Attorney Agent Needs to Know Naming a healthcare agent is just the beginning — they also need clear guidance to make the right calls for you. Learn what to share with them in this blog post.

Most people avoid talking about their estate plan with family, and that silence often leads to confusion, conflict, and hurt feelings later. The good news? One honest conversation can prevent most of it. Here's how to have it well.

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