Avoid These 5 Costly Estate Planning Mistakes
Dear Friend, Estate planning isn’t something you can “set and forget.” Because life changes. Families change. Laws change. And if your estate plan doesn’t keep up, the people you love could pay the price. At Bascom Law, we’ve seen it all—families forced into court, assets tied up in red tape, and loved ones left scrambling… […]
Estate Planning for Parents of Special Needs Children
Dear Friend, There’s a kind of love only a parent of a special needs child understands. It’s fierce. Protective. Endless. And it doesn’t stop at the end of your lifetime. If you’re raising a child with special needs—whether they’re five or fifty—your #1 question is this: “What will happen to my child when I’m no […]
The Vacation Home No One Wants—And the Fight That Followed
They thought they were doing the right thing. They worked hard, bought a modest lake cabin, and made memories there every summer. Fishing, grilling, laughter, fireflies—the kind of nostalgia that sticks to your soul. So when it came time to update their Estate Plan, they said the same thing many parents do: “Let’s just leave […]
Can You Leave Money to Your Dog
You’ve probably heard the story. A woman leaves her fortune—millions of dollars—not to her children, but to her dog. The tabloids run with it. The internet laughs. And somewhere, a family lawyer quietly nods and says, “She wasn’t wrong.” Because here’s the truth: yes, you can leave money to care for your pets. And in […]
The One-Page Letter That Changed Everything
It wasn’t the Estate Plan that brought her comfort. It wasn’t the Trust. It wasn’t the life insurance or the bank account access. It wasn’t even the instructions we helped her father write so meticulously. It was a letter. A single page. Folded in thirds. Tucked inside a folder labeled “For My Daughter.” That letter—simple, […]
The Secret Power of Leaving Money to a Charity—Even If You’re Not a Millionaire
There’s a funny misconception out there—that only the ultra-wealthy can leave a meaningful legacy. You know the kind. Foundations. University buildings. Park benches with their names carved into the metal. But the truth is, you don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference. You just need a plan. And if you’ve ever thought, […]
When the Bank Says No: Why DIY Estate Plans Backfire
They thought they had everything covered. They printed the Will and Power of Attorney from an online website. They filled in the blanks, signed it in front of two witnesses, tucked it in a drawer—and felt relieved. “I’m glad we got that taken care of,” they said. Then life happened. A stroke. A death. A […]
The Most Important Conversation You’re Not Having With Your Parents
There’s a quiet fear many adult children carry, whether they talk about it or not. It sounds like this: “What’s going to happen when Mom or Dad is gone… and I don’t know what to do?” If that thought has ever crossed your mind, you’re not alone. And if you’re a parent reading this, there’s […]
The Estate Plan No One Talks About
Blended families are built on love, second chances, and a deep desire to do right by everyone involved. But when it comes to the legal side of things—especially after a remarriage—love alone isn’t enough. Without a carefully designed Estate Plan, even the most well-meaning intentions can turn into resentment, lawsuits, or irreversible loss. And I’ve […]
The Myth of “We’ll Figure It Out Later”
Dear Friend, There’s a phrase I hear more often than I care to admit: “We’ll take care of it when the time comes.” It sounds harmless. Even responsible. Like you’re being practical—waiting for the right moment, the right time, when things feel a little more settled. But here’s the problem… When the time comes, it’s […]