Why Business Owners Deserve More Than an Easy or Cheap Estate Plan Coming Soon: Expanded Services at Adams Law Office, LLC for Business Owners 

Imagine this: you’ve just completed your estate plan using a quick DIY online form or a low-cost legal service. Maybe your financial advisor included one as part of your overall plan for a minimal fee. These routes promise simplicity and savings—some even claim you’ll be done in 30 minutes or less. You click “submit,” receive your documents, and breathe a sigh of relief, feeling like your future is now secure. 

But for business owners, that sense of security may be misleading. 

Unless you’ve worked with a legal professional who truly understands the relationship between your business and personal planning, there’s a good chance something essential was missed—the alignment between your estate plan and your business documents. Without this alignment, your business could be left vulnerable during a time of transition. 

At Adams Law Office, LLC, we understand how critical this coordination is. That’s why, as part of our expanding services, we will soon be offering tailored support to help business owners like you integrate your business documentation with your estate plan—ensuring both work in harmony to protect what matters most. 

Why Easy or Cheap Estate Planning Falls Short for Business Owners 

Your business is not just another asset—it’s a living, breathing entity with its own legal and operational framework. It requires more than just a mention in your will; it requires a customized plan that connects your personal wishes with your business’s continuity strategy. 

Unfortunately, many business owners don’t realize that their personal estate plan and their business documents must be perfectly aligned. For example, if your trust says one thing and your LLC operating agreement says another, your intentions could be legally challenged—or even disregarded. 

What Business Documents Need to Be Reviewed 

As part of our upcoming services at Adams Law Office, LLC, we’ll offer business owners the opportunity to review and align key governance documents, including: 

● Operating Agreements (LLCs) 

We’ll ensure your agreement covers ownership transfers, trustee roles, and business

continuity strategies. 

● Corporate Bylaws (Corporations) 

We’ll align bylaws with your trust, wills, and succession plans to support smooth transitions. 

● Buy-Sell Agreements 

When appropriate, we’ll draft or revise buy-sell agreements to provide liquidity and preserve stability for your heirs and partners. 

The Real Cost of Misalignment: A Story Worth Heeding 

Consider “Michael,” who had a detailed personal estate plan, including a trust that transferred his business to his children. However, because he never updated his company’s bylaws, the business fell into the hands of a long-gone co-founder. Legal disputes ensued, over $100,000 in fees were spent, and the company barely survived. 

This is the kind of preventable disaster that we aim to help our clients avoid. 

Coming Soon: Seamless Legacy Planning for Business Owners 

Our Legacy Planning model has long helped families create secure, integrated estate plans. Now, we’re excited to expand this offering to business owners. Soon, Adams Law Office, LLC will provide specialized services designed to ensure your business documentation and estate plan work as one. 

Here’s what you can expect: 

● Comprehensive Review of your estate plan and business documents

● Customized Operating Agreements or Bylaws that reflect your personal planning goals

● Clear Succession Strategies that name decision-makers and detail their roles

● Ongoing Updates to keep your documents aligned as your business evolves

Protect What You’ve Built 

Your business deserves more than a basic estate plan. It deserves a coordinated legal strategy that protects your legacy and provides clarity for your successors. 

Stay tuned for the official launch of these new services at Adams Law Office, LLC. In the meantime, if you’re ready to start building your personalized legacy plan—or want to ensure your current one truly supports your business—schedule a complimentary consultation with us today. 

Together, we’ll make sure everything and everyone you care about is protected. !

The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025: What It Could Mean for You and Your Loved Ones

Have you spent a lifetime building something meaningful, only to fear that a large part of it could be lost to taxes before it reaches the people you care about most? That’s the concern many American families face with the estate tax—often referred to as the "death tax." Now, a new legislative proposal is gaining traction, one that could significantly reshape how wealth is passed down through generations. But what could these changes actually mean for you and your family?

Let’s explore the potential impact on you and those you love.

The Estate Tax: A Century-Old Tradition at a Crossroads

Estate taxes have been part of the American tax landscape for over a century, yet they continue to spark debate and controversy. Currently, these taxes apply to estates that exceed a certain value, meaning that when someone passes away, a portion of their assets may go to the government before reaching their heirs.

Imagine spending decades nurturing a vibrant garden, only for someone to step in at the end and take some of your most cherished plants before your children have a chance to enjoy them. That’s how many families view the estate tax—an added hardship during an already emotional time.

The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025 (“DTRA”) aims to eliminate this tax entirely, which supporters argue would remove what they see as unfair double taxation. After all, these assets were typically built with income that was already taxed once during the owner's lifetime. Why, they ask, should it be taxed again simply because of death?

The potential repeal brings both opportunities and challenges that deserve careful consideration. Let's explore what this could mean from different perspectives.

Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks for American Families

Aside from a single year in 2010 when it was temporarily eliminated, the federal estate tax has ranged widely—from a modest 10% when it was first introduced in 1916 to a steep 77% during the mid-20th century (1941–1976). Today, the rate stands at 40% for estates exceeding $13.99 million. However, that threshold is set to drop in 2026 to about $6–7 million per person, adjusted for inflation, unless Congress takes action—effectively cutting the current exemption in half while maintaining the 40% tax rate on amounts above it.

For individuals with illiquid or highly appreciated assets—like business owners or those who own large parcels of land—this looming change could present serious challenges. The estate tax in these cases can create a painful dilemma: sell off parts of a business or property to cover the tax bill, or take on significant debt to meet IRS obligations. Either option can chip away at a family's legacy.

On the other hand, opponents of estate tax repeal raise important points. The tax contributes to public revenue that supports vital services—education, infrastructure, and social safety nets that benefit society as a whole. Eliminating it could shift the tax burden to middle- and working-class Americans through other means.

There’s also concern about wealth inequality. Some economists argue that without an estate tax, ultra-wealthy families could pass on vast fortunes across generations largely unchecked, potentially deepening existing economic divides.

So, as you consider your own estate planning, ask yourself: What legacy do you want to leave? Is it about preserving every possible dollar for your heirs, or contributing to a system that supports opportunity for all? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—only what aligns with your values and goals.

How the Repeal Could Change Your Estate Planning Strategy?

If the DTRA passes, it would dramatically change how many Americans approach their estate planning. Let's explore what this might mean for your personal strategy:

Simplified Planning for Larger Estates: For those with estates valued above the current exemption threshold, planning could become significantly simpler. Many complex strategies designed specifically to minimize estate tax exposure – like certain types of trusts, family limited partnerships, or life insurance arrangements – might become unnecessary.

Focus Shift to Income Tax Planning: Without estate taxes to worry about, the focus would likely shift to income tax planning for heirs. This means potentially more attention to basis step-up rules, timing of asset transfers, and other strategies to minimize capital gains taxes when assets are eventually sold.

More Flexibility in Charitable Giving: Many wealthy individuals currently incorporate charitable giving into their estate plans partly for tax benefits. Without estate tax incentives, charitable giving patterns might change, allowing decisions based purely on philanthropic goals rather than tax advantages.

What does this mean for you? If your estate might exceed the current exemption threshold (approximately $13.99 million for individuals or $27.98 million for married couples for 2025), now is the time to connect with me to discuss potential scenarios. Even if your estate falls below these thresholds, changing tax laws can have ripple effects on overall estate planning best practices.

Preparing for an Uncertain Future with a Legacy Plan

While the DTRA represents a significant potential change, it's important to remember that tax legislation is notoriously difficult to predict. Bills can change dramatically during the legislative process, and what passes may look very different from what was initially proposed.

Given this uncertainty, how should you approach your estate planning? Here are some practical steps to consider:

While traditional estate planning often focuses narrowly on documents and tax avoidance, Adams Law Office, LLC Legacy Planning Process takes a more comprehensive and adaptable approach. Unlike conventional estate plans that sit in a drawer gathering dust, our VIP Membership Program includes regular reviews to ensure your plan evolves as tax laws, your assets, and your family dynamics change. We won't just help you create documents; we'll be your trusted advisor throughout your lifetime, proactively reaching out for updates and providing education so you fully understand what will happen to your loved ones and assets if you become incapacitated and when you die. With Legacy Planning, you'll have peace of mind knowing your plan will actually work when your family needs it most, regardless of how tax laws might change in the future.

How I Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence?

At Adams Law Office, LLC we understand how tax legislation like the DTRA can impact your loved ones’ financial future. Whether this act passes or not, having a comprehensive Legacy Plan ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are protected, and your plan works the way you want, regardless of changing tax laws. 

Don't leave your loved ones’ future to chance or uncertainty. That's why when you work with us, we’ll start with a Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you've ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. Then, together, we’ll create a plan for you that prepares your loved ones for whatever lies ahead. 

Click here to schedule a consultation to learn more

Why Reviewing Your Trust Regularly Isn't Optional—It's Essential

You’ve taken a meaningful step by creating an estate plan that includes a trust—well done! This decision reflects your commitment to protecting your loved ones from family court battles and conflict, making sure your wishes are clearly understood and respected, and avoiding unnecessary stress or confusion for your family. That’s a big achievement! However, it’s important to remember that an estate plan isn’t something you create once and forget about. It’s a dynamic set of documents and tools that require ongoing attention and updates to ensure they will function properly when your family needs them most—and not fall short at a critical time.

Think of it this way: Would you keep wearing clothes you bought twenty years ago without making sure they still fit? Probably not. In the same way, your estate plan—including your trust—needs regular check-ins to make sure it still fits your current life, assets, the legal landscape, and personal wishes. Let’s take a closer look at why reviewing your estate plan regularly is so important and how often you should be reviewing it.

Life Changes, and Your Trust Should Also

Life rarely stays the same for long. Since you created your trust, you have likely experienced changes in your personal and financial life. Each of these changes can impact how effective your trust will be in protecting your assets and providing for your loved ones.

Major life events—like getting married, going through a divorce, or welcoming a child or grandchild—can significantly change your family dynamics and your intentions for your estate plan. These milestones often require updates to your plan to reflect your current wishes. For instance, if you have recently had a new grandchild, you may want to add them as a beneficiary in your plan. On the other hand, if you have divorced, it is likely you will want to remove your ex-spouse from your trust and other planning documents.

Your financial landscape is constantly changing. Maybe you have bought new property, launched a business, or received an inheritance. These new assets need to be properly included in your trust.

If they are not, they could end up going through probate—undermining one of the main reasons you created a trust in the first place.

Even changes in your relationships can necessitate updates to your trust. The person you appointed as successor trustee five years ago might no longer be the best choice. Without regular reviews, your trust may not accomplish what you currently intend, potentially leading to conflict among your loved ones or assets being distributed in ways you no longer want.

Laws Change, Even When Your Wishes Don't

Even if your circumstances haven’t changed much, the legal and tax environment is always shifting. These changes can have a major impact on how your trust functions and how well it protects your assets, making regular reviews essential.

Tax laws, in particular, frequently change with new administrations and shifting political priorities. For instance, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 doubled the federal estate tax exemption, dramatically changing estate planning considerations for many families. That law is about to sunset if Congress does not act to update it.  If your trust was created before this change, it might contain provisions that are no longer necessary or beneficial under current law. If the law changes, you trust may need updates to reflect the old law as it reverts.

State laws governing trusts and estates also change regularly. These modifications can affect everything from how your trust is administered to the rights of beneficiaries. Without regular reviews, your trust might not take advantage of beneficial new laws or might run afoul of new requirements.

By reviewing your trust periodically, you can ensure it remains compliant with current laws and takes advantage of any new beneficial provisions. This proactive approach helps protect your assets and your loved ones from unexpected legal complications.

How Often Should You Review Your Trust?

Given the importance of keeping your trust updated, you might be wondering how frequently you should review it. While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine the right schedule for your situation.

As a baseline, we recommend reviewing your trust annually under our VIP Membership Program, even if you don't think anything significant has changed. This regular schedule helps ensure you don't overlook gradual changes that might have occurred in your life, your assets, or the law.  If you are not in our Membership Program, we recommend that you at least review your plan on your own every three to five years, so that you can make sure your plan is tracking with the changes in your life.

However, certain life events should trigger an immediate review, regardless of when you last updated your trust:

The Consequences of an Outdated Trust Can Be Severe

Failing to review and update your trust regularly can lead to serious consequences that undermine your initial reasons for creating it. These consequences can range from financial losses to family conflicts that could have been avoided with proper planning.

One of the biggest risks is that assets you have acquired after setting up your trust may not have been properly transferred into it. This process, known as trust funding, is essential to keeping those assets out of probate. If you have bought new property, opened new accounts, or gained valuable assets without moving them into your trust, those items could still end up in probate—defeating the very purpose of having a trust in the first place.

An outdated trust can also lead to unintended beneficiaries receiving your assets. If you have not updated your trust after major life changes, your assets might go to people you no longer wish to benefit—or might not go to those you do want to include.

Family conflict is another potential consequence of an outdated trust. Unclear or outdated provisions can leave your loved ones arguing over what you really intended. These disputes can damage family relationships and lead to expensive, time-consuming litigation.

Tax consequences can also arise from an outdated trust. Changes in tax laws might mean your trust no longer minimizes estate taxes effectively. Without updates to address these changes, your beneficiaries might face larger tax bills than necessary, reducing their inheritance.

Finally, know that reviewing your trust does not always mean you will need to make changes. Sometimes you will find that your current trust still perfectly reflects your wishes and circumstances. Even then, the review process is valuable for refreshing your understanding of your plan and giving you peace of mind.

Don't Leave Your Family's Future to Chance

Your trust is more than just paperwork—it is a powerful expression of your love and intention to support your family, even after you are gone. By reviewing and updating it regularly, you continue to show that same thoughtfulness and responsibility. It also helps spare your loved ones from unnecessary confusion, conflict, and expensive legal battles during an already emotional time.

At Adams Law Office, LLC, we are here to support you in this ongoing process. We understand that reviewing legal documents is not high on anyone’s list of favorite activities, but we strive to make the process as simple and painless as possible—and we build it into our ongoing services once we begin working together. Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. Review your plan today and let us know if we can do anything to help you bring it up to date with your current wishes.

Book a consult today to get started!

Planning a Trip? Protect Your Children with a Kids Protection Plan

With Spring Break on the horizon and summer just around the corner, you’re likely busy planning the perfect family getaway—booking flights, securing accommodations, and organizing fun activities. However, one essential aspect of travel planning often goes unnoticed: ensuring your children’s safety and well-being in case of an emergency. While no one likes to imagine worst-case scenarios on vacation, taking the right precautions can provide peace of mind, allowing you to fully relax and cherish your time together.

Let's explore why having a Kids Protection Plan (“KPP”) in place before traveling is essential and what steps you can take to protect your children. Please note: most lawyers, even at the top estate planning firms, often make at least one of 6 common mistakes that the KPP is designed to address, when naming legal guardians for children in an estate plan. 

The Hidden Risks of Traveling Without Protection

Amid the excitement of vacation planning, it’s easy to focus solely on the fun ahead. However, travel comes with unique risks that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you were to become incapacitated due to a car accident or another emergency while away from home, what would happen to your children in those crucial first hours or days? Without the right legal documentation, they could be temporarily placed in the care of strangers or social services until authorities determine who has the legal right to look after them.

Traveling internationally adds another layer of complexity, as each country has its own laws regarding child custody and emergency care. Without clear legal documentation appointing a temporary guardian, your children could endure unnecessary stress while authorities navigate bureaucratic procedures to determine their care. Even domestic travel can pose challenges—if you become incapacitated in another state, local officials may not immediately recognize out-of-state guardianship arrangements without the proper paperwork in place.

Essential Components of Protection While Traveling

A comprehensive KPP, which we create for you as part of the Legacy Planning process,  provides crucial legal documentation and instructions that activate immediately if something happens to you. This includes designation of temporary guardians who can care for your children until your long-term guardians can arrive, as well as detailed information about your children's medical needs, allergies, medications, and daily routines.

When you partner with us to create a Kids Protection Plan (KPP), we include essential components that many parents often overlook. First, you'll receive ID cards listing emergency contacts who can step in to care for your children if you're unable to. Second, we provide medical power of attorney forms, ensuring designated caregivers can authorize necessary medical treatment. Third, your KPP includes temporary guardianship documentation, preventing your children from being placed with strangers while authorities locate their long-term guardians. Lastly, if there is someone you would never want raising your children, we document that confidentially as well. 

In addition to the essentials, your Kids Protection Plan (KPP) includes detailed information about your children’s daily lives—their favorite foods, bedtime routines, fears, anxieties, and comfort items—helping caregivers provide a sense of normalcy during a stressful time. You can also include important passwords for electronic devices, social media accounts, and educational platforms your children may need to access, ensuring continuity in their routines and communication.

Take Action Before You Travel

Before heading off on your Spring Break adventure, schedule time with me and we will help you think through all the potential issues that could arise so that you can make the best decisions for you and your kids. We’ll start by carefully selecting both local and long-distance temporary guardians who can respond quickly in an emergency, considering factors like their proximity to your vacation destination, their ability to travel on short notice, and their familiarity with your children's needs.

Then, we’ll support you in creating an emergency response plan that outlines exactly what should happen in various scenarios. This includes who should be contacted first, in what order, and what immediate actions they should take. 

Your plan must be easily accessible to designated guardians and include clear instructions for first responders or authorities who may need to reference it in an emergency. We’ll ensure you have the necessary documents readily available and that your chosen guardians know exactly how to access them. Additionally, we’ll be here to support them during an emergency, providing guidance so they know exactly what steps to take.

Preparing these arrangements isn’t about focusing on worst-case scenarios—it’s about ensuring peace of mind so you can fully enjoy your vacation. With the right protections in place, you can focus on making lasting memories with your children rather than worrying about "what-ifs." Think of it as travel insurance for your children’s well-being—something you hope you’ll never need but will be immensely grateful to have in case of an emergency.

Your Next Steps for Peace of Mind

At Adams Law Office, LLC we support you to create a comprehensive Legacy Plan that includes a Kids Protection Plan so your children are always protected, no matter where your travels take you. Take the first step today by booking a Legacy Planning Session, where you’ll get educated on what will happen if you become incapacitated and when you pass so you can make the very best decisions for your loved ones. From that place of empowerment, we’ll then work together to create your comprehensive Legacy Plan that gives you peace of mind, knowing you’ve done all you can for the people you love most.

Book a consult today to get started!

Trusts & Homeowner’s Insurance: What You Need to Know So You Don’t Get a Claim Denied In the Future

Creating an estate plan with a living trust is a vital step in safeguarding your home and family from costly legal proceedings. However, many homeowners overlook the need to update their homeowner’s insurance after transferring their property into a trust. Failing to do so could result in a denied insurance claim, leaving you responsible for costly repairs. Let’s explore how to align your trust and insurance to ensure your home remains fully protected.

The Hidden Risk of Trust Ownership

Transferring your home into a trust alters its legal ownership structure. While you may continue living in the home and serving as the trustee, the trust itself becomes the legal owner. If your trust is revocable, this change won’t affect your taxes since you remain the owner for tax purposes. However, the title change could give your homeowner’s insurance company a reason to deny a claim. Even if such a denial could be challenged in court, avoiding that hassle altogether is the best approach.

Insurance companies base their coverage decisions on legal ownership. If there's a mismatch between the property's legal owner and the named insured on your policy, the insurer might deny your claim. Imagine discovering after a major fire that your insurance company denies your claim because your policy doesn't reflect your trust ownership. This nightmare scenario happens more often than you might think, but it's easily avoidable with proper planning.

Aligning Your Insurance with Your Trust

The key to avoiding issues is to notify your insurance company as soon as you transfer your home into a trust. Most insurers are familiar with trust ownership and can update your policy accordingly. This is usually done by adding the trust as an additional insured or including a trust endorsement to ensure proper coverage.

When updating your policy, consider these key elements:

Property Coverage: Ensure the policy's replacement cost accurately reflects current building costs in your area. Construction prices have soared recently, and many policies haven't kept pace.

Liability Protection: Your policy should protect both you personally and the trust from liability claims if someone is injured on your property.

Additional Structures: Don't forget to include coverage for detached garages, workshops, or other structures on your property under the trust's ownership.

Most insurers make these updates with minimal or no additional premium costs, but the protection they provide is invaluable. This small administrative task could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars if disaster strikes.

Common Mistakes That Put Your Property at Risk

Homeowners often realize too late that they weren’t fully protected when disaster strikes. However, by understanding the most common pitfalls, you can take proactive steps to safeguard yourself:

Delayed Notification: Many people wait months or even years to inform their insurance company about the trust transfer. During this gap, they're paying for insurance that might not protect them. Instead, notify your insurance company as soon as you create or update your trust.

Incorrect Trust Names: Insurance policies must list the trust's exact legal name. Even small discrepancies could cause problems during a claim. If your trust is "The Johnson Family Living Trust dated January 15, 2025," that's exactly how it should appear on your insurance policy.

Overlooking Policy Reviews: Your insurance needs will change over time. Regular reviews ensure your coverage keeps pace with your home's value and your family's needs.

Multiple Property Confusion: If you own multiple properties in trust, each property's insurance policy must correctly reflect the trust ownership. Don't assume that updating one policy covers all your properties.

Creating a Comprehensive Protection Plan

Avoiding these pitfalls is a key component of my comprehensive estate planning approach, known as Legacy Planning. If you have a DIY estate plan, one downloaded from a budget legal site, or even a plan created by a traditional estate planning attorney, you may receive the necessary documents—but not a fully integrated plan that anticipates and addresses potential risks. That’s why our Legacy Planning process includes…:

We Help You Protect What Matters Most

At Adams Law Office, we ensure your Legacy Plan works as intended, including proper alignment with your homeowner’s insurance coverage. We'll help you avoid costly mistakes and maintain comprehensive protection for your home and family. Our membership process includes regular reviews to keep your plan current and effective.

Act Now to Secure Your Legacy
✅ Download Our Free Guide: “Homeowner’s Insurance & Trusts: Avoid These 5 Costly Mistakes” – Ensure your policy fully protects your home and loved ones.
✅ Schedule a Policy Review: Contact us today for a free homeowner’s insurance audit to confirm your trust is correctly listed.
✅ Share This Resource: Know a homeowner with a trust? Forward this article to help them avoid claim denials.

Don’t Wait for Disaster to Strike
Outdated homeowner’s insurance could leave your family vulnerable. Take action now to align your coverage with your trust.

📞 Contact us today to schedule your Legacy Planning Session and secure seamless protection for your home and family.