When we prepare a Last Will and Testament, protecting the original document is critical — and under Kentucky law, it’s even more important than most people realize. If the original will cannot be found at the time of your death, Kentucky law presumes that you revoked it intentionally. Courts can infer that you destroyed it…
A lot of folks think they can save time and money by using online will forms like LegalZoom. I understand the appeal — but here’s why I think it’s a risky move, especially here in Kentucky. 1. It’s Often a Rip-Off If you’re just curious what a valid will looks like, you don’t have to…
Online legal services have made it easier than ever to generate a will from your couch for $30 and a few clicks. It sounds convenient. It might even look official. But in Kentucky, there’s something those services won’t tell you — and it could affect everything you’re trying to protect. Your Will Becomes a Public…
Most people think of a will as an accident document — something you sign in case something happens, filed away and forgotten. A list of names and assets. Dry, impersonal, generic. It doesn’t have to be that way. A properly drafted will is one of the few legal documents that is entirely yours. It speaks…
Here’s something that surprises a lot of people: your will may not control who gets some of your most valuable assets. Life insurance policies, retirement accounts (401(k)s, IRAs), bank accounts with payable-on-death designations, and transfer-on-death investment accounts all pass by beneficiary designation — not by will. And when those designations are outdated, the results can…
A living will is one of the most personal legal documents you can create — and one of the most important. It allows you to make decisions about your own medical care in advance, so that if you’re ever unable to communicate your wishes, your family and doctors know what you want. In Kentucky, living…
A will isn’t a “set it and forget it” document. Life changes — and when it does, your estate plan needs to change with it. One of the most common problems I see in probate work is a will that was perfectly fine when it was signed ten or twenty years ago but no longer…
When most people think about estate planning, they think about bank accounts, real property, and physical possessions. But in 2026, some of your most important assets may exist entirely online — email accounts, social media profiles, cryptocurrency, cloud-stored documents and photographs, digital subscriptions, and online business accounts. If your estate plan doesn’t address these, your…
If you’ve started thinking about estate planning beyond a basic will, the word “trust” has probably come up. But trusts come in many flavors, and the most fundamental distinction is between revocable and irrevocable trusts. Understanding the difference — and when each makes sense — is key to choosing the right tool for your situation….
A power of attorney is one of the most important legal documents you can have — and one of the most overlooked. If you’re over 18 and don’t have one, you’re leaving yourself and your family vulnerable to a situation that’s far more common than most people think: the inability to manage your own affairs…