Succession planning in family-controlled businesses presents unique challenges, especially when internal competition shapes the future of leadership. The current situation at Bertelsmann, Europe’s largest media company, reflects this reality as brothers Carsten and Thomas Coesfeld prepare to compete for the top position. For those advising closely held businesses, including an experienced business succession planning lawyer, […]

Asset protection strategies continue to evolve, with courts playing an integral role in shaping their effectiveness. In a recent decision, a Delaware Magistrate reinforced the validity of a long-standing domestic asset protection trust (DAPT), providing welcome news for individuals and families focused on shielding their wealth. For those working with an asset protection lawyer, this

The Commissioner v. Zuch ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court is sending a clear message to taxpayers and estate administrators: timing is imperative when responding to IRS collection efforts. For individuals working with an estate tax planning lawyer, understanding the impact of this decision is paramount to avoid losing valuable appeal rights. On June 12,

Troubling reports from Scotland have highlighted just how fragile estate planning can become when administrative systems fail to keep up. The country is currently facing significant delays in processing powers of attorney (PoA), with over 67,500 applications stalled within Scotland’s Office of the Public Guardian. Families are being forced to wait up to a year

The legal dispute surrounding Jimmy Buffett’s marital trust has sparked significant conversations within the estate planning and legal communities. While this high-profile case centers around Buffett’s estimated $275 million estate, the core issues reflect the same concerns that any trusts lawyer deals with when advising wealthy families, business owners, and individuals with difficult estate plans.

In recent years, more LGBTQ+ individuals and couples have begun taking urgent steps to safeguard their futures through wills, trusts, and legal directives. For many, the motivation comes from growing uncertainty around legal protections. Working with an experienced wills and probate lawyer is becoming a priority, especially as political conversations raise concerns about marriage rights,

As the U.K. faces a mounting crisis over Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding, international families and legal professionals are watching closely. With deficits projected to hit £5 billion by March 2026, many local councils warn they are heading toward bankruptcy. In response, the government is reportedly considering limiting access to legally mandated Education,

Wendy Williams, the iconic television host, is once again in the public spotlight—not for her career, but for her ongoing legal battle over guardianship. Her situation, marked by claims of “imprisonment” in an assisted-living facility and restricted access to her own finances, has sparked widespread concern and reignited national discussions around adult guardianship law. For

In a recent alert that’s raising national concern, the FBI reported a staggering 43% increase in elder fraud-related financial losses, totaling nearly $4.9 billion in 2024. One of the most impacted states was Texas, which alone accounted for roughly $490 million in losses. These crimes not only exploit seniors financially but also erode their sense

Across the U.S., small business owners are confronting a quiet but urgent crisis. According to new June 2025 data from Teamshares, more than two-thirds of small business owners expect to retire within the next two years. Yet nearly 70% of them have not developed or communicated a formal succession plan. This staggering disconnect could jeopardize