A romantic estate in the English countryside. A long-term partner. An estranged wife. A $29 million fortune. And yes—a court battle. This is not the latest Netflix legal drama. It’s a real story, and it’s the kind of estate planning train-wreck we help families avoid at Norton Estate Planning &
Let’s talk taxes. (Wait! Don’t leave. This one actually matters.) There’s a big proposal in the works that could affect millions of families—eliminating the step-up in basis. And if that happens? You or your loved ones could end up selling off the family home just to pay the IRS. At
Everyone’s talking about The Great Wealth Transfer—the $84 trillion expected to move from older generations to their heirs over the next two decades. Sounds like a massive win for the next generation, right? Not so fast. Without proper planning, that money could vanish into court fees, taxes, or bitter family
For many recent graduates, buying a home may feel like a far-off dream, especially with rising home prices and the challenge of saving for a down payment. But what if there was a program designed specifically to help graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions
The call came late at night. Sarah had just settled into bed when her phone buzzed. On the other end, her mother’s voice was shaky. “Your father is gone,” she said. Sarah felt her heart stop. Her father, Robert, had always been the strong, steady presence in her life. Losing
For many people, buying a home is a lifelong dream, but the biggest hurdle often isn’t finding the right house—it’s coming up with the money for a down payment. If you’ve been putting off homeownership because you’re worried about the upfront costs, you might be in for a pleasant surprise.
The True Cost of Not Having a Will (And Why You Need to Tune In to This Podcast Episode!) Let’s talk about something that most people avoid like last year’s fruitcake—estate planning. I know, I know. It’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but trust me, not having
The Smith family’s estate plan wasn’t just about who got the house or the bank accounts. They wanted to preserve their family’s stories—the tales of great-grandpa’s courage in WWII, grandma’s secret recipe for peach cobbler, and the values that had guided their family for generations. Legacy planning goes beyond financial
When Tom passed away, his family discovered that his estate had to go through probate. What followed was a year of court hearings, legal fees, and endless disputes among his children over sentimental items. Tom had a will, but without additional planning, his family was left to navigate the probate
Jenny’s life was filled with joy, but it also had its challenges. Her son, Michael, was born with special needs, and she’d spent his entire life ensuring he had the best care and opportunities. When a friend mentioned “Special Needs Trusts,” Jenny realized she had no idea how to protect
