BERYS LAW | Business, Real Estate, Wills/Trusts

Estate planning has traditionally focused on tangible property like homes, vehicles, and financial accounts. However, in today’s digital age, much of our personal and financial lives are managed online. From social media to cryptocurrency, digital assets are now an essential part of estate planning. Recognizing what qualifies as a digital asset and ensuring they are included in your estate plan can save your loved ones unnecessary confusion and protect your legacy.

Defining Digital Assets

Digital assets include any electronic record, file, or account that holds personal, sentimental, or monetary value. These assets can range from financial holdings to personal online content. Importantly, they are often protected by unique usernames, passwords, and terms of service agreements, making access difficult for family members if not properly planned for in advance.

Common Types of Digital Assets

Financial Accounts – Online banking, PayPal, Venmo, investment platforms, and cryptocurrency w...

Military service members and their families face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning. Frequent relocations, overseas deployments, and the inherent risks of service require a proactive approach to protecting assets, providing for loved ones, and ensuring legal affairs are in order. Whether you’re active duty, in the reserves, or retired, these tips will help you build a solid military estate plan.

1. Start Early—Don’t Wait for Deployment

One of the most common mistakes service members make is delaying estate planning until just before deployment. Life in the military is unpredictable, and emergencies can happen at any time. Start your estate plan as soon as possible so your loved ones are protected no matter what.

2. Draft a Comprehensive Will

A will outlines how your assets will be distributed and who will care for your minor children if something happens to you. Without one, state laws will decide for you—which may not align with your wishes. Include instructions fo...

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult enough without the added burden of navigating the legal system. One of the most common questions families face during this time is whether they need a probate lawyer. While not every estate requires legal assistance, certain situations make hiring a probate attorney not just helpful—but necessary. This guide will help you understand when it's time to bring in a professional.

What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate. This includes validating the will (if one exists), identifying and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property to heirs or beneficiaries. In simple cases, probate may be straightforward. But complications can arise quickly, especially with larger or contested estates.

Discover: What Are Probate Delays?

When You Might Not Need a Probate Lawyer

Some estates can be handled without a lawyer. For instance:

• The estate is small and qualifies for...

Creating a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your assets and loved ones—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood legal documents. Many people avoid writing a will because of myths or misinformation. Let’s debunk 10 common myths about wills and reveal the truths you need to know.

1. Myth: Only the wealthy need a will

Truth: Regardless of how much money or property you have, a will ensures your wishes are respected. Without one, the state decides how to distribute your assets, which can create confusion, delay, and family conflict.

2. Myth: I’m too young to need a will

Truth: Adults of any age should have a will, especially if they have dependents, own property, or want to specify who inherits their belongings. Unexpected events can happen at any stage of life.

Read more: The Best Age to Start Estate Planning – And Why It Matters

3. Myth: A will avoids probate

Truth: A will does not avoid probate. Instead, it guides the probate process by instructi...

Life is unpredictable, and while no one likes to imagine being incapacitated, planning for that possibility is one of the most responsible things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. If you become unable to communicate due to an accident, illness, or cognitive decline, who will make medical decisions on your behalf? Without legal preparation, your family might face delays, confusion, or even court battles during already stressful moments. Here’s how to ensure your family can act quickly and confidently if you can’t speak for yourself.

1. Create a Medical Power of Attorney (Health Care Proxy)

The most important step is designating someone you trust to make healthcare decisions for you through a legal document called a Medical Power of Attorney, or sometimes a Health Care Proxy. This person, called your “agent” or “proxy,” will be able to communicate with doctors, approve or refuse treatments, and advocate for your preferences.

Make sure the person you choose understands your ...

Talking to your family about estate planning is one of the most important conversations you’ll ever have—yet it’s also one of the most difficult. Discussing money, death, and future responsibilities can be uncomfortable, emotional, and even tense. However, avoiding the topic can lead to confusion, disputes, and unnecessary stress down the road. The good news? With thoughtful preparation and a compassionate approach, you can have a productive and peaceful conversation that brings clarity and peace of mind to everyone involved.

Start Early and Choose the Right Moment

Don’t wait until a health crisis or family emergency forces the conversation. Ideally, bring it up during a calm, low-pressure time when everyone is relaxed and open to discussion. You might introduce the topic around a family gathering or after a life event like a wedding, birth, or retirement—times when legacy and planning are already top of mind.

Let your family know in advance that you’d like to talk about estate plan...

When most people think of estate planning, they imagine writing a will or assigning beneficiaries to their financial assets. While that’s certainly part of it, estate planning encompasses much more—especially when it comes to your health. Health and estate planning are deeply connected, and taking care of one without considering the other can leave you and your loved ones vulnerable in times of crisis.

Planning for the Unexpected

Life is unpredictable. Accidents, sudden illnesses, or cognitive decline can strike at any time, regardless of age. That’s why health directives—like a living will or a healthcare power of attorney—are essential components of any comprehensive estate plan. These legal documents ensure your medical wishes are respected if you’re unable to speak for yourself, and they appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf.

Without these preparations, your family may face confusion, conflict, or even legal challenges about what kind of care you should rece...

Estate planning is often associated with wills and trusts, but one of the most powerful and flexible tools in an estate planner’s toolkit is life insurance. Whether you're aiming to protect your loved ones, manage taxes, or transfer wealth efficiently, life insurance can play a critical role in achieving your goals. For individuals and families alike, understanding how to integrate life insurance into an estate plan is essential for long-term financial security.

Why Life Insurance Matters in Estate Planning

At its core, life insurance provides a tax-free death benefit to beneficiaries, ensuring financial stability for your loved ones after you pass away. Unlike many other estate assets, life insurance proceeds are typically paid out quickly, helping survivors manage immediate expenses like funeral costs, mortgage payments, or outstanding debts. For those with larger estates, life insurance can also offer strategic advantages in reducing estate taxes and preserving wealth across gener...

Estate planning involves several important decisions, and for those using trusts to protect and manage assets, appointing a trust protector can add an extra layer of oversight and security. While not always necessary, a trust protector can play a vital role in ensuring that a trust remains effective and adaptable over time. Understanding what a trust protector is—and whether you need one—can help you make smarter, more flexible estate planning choices.

What Is a Trust Protector?

A trust protector is a person or entity appointed to oversee a trust and ensure that it operates according to the trust creator’s (or grantor’s) intentions. Unlike a trustee, who manages the day-to-day administration of the trust and handles distributions to beneficiaries, a trust protector serves a supervisory role. Their powers and responsibilities are defined in the trust document and can vary widely depending on the grantor’s preferences.

Trust protectors are more common in irrevocable trusts, which are ...

In today’s digital age, our lives are increasingly intertwined with online platforms, from social media accounts and email to cryptocurrency wallets and cloud storage. While traditional estate planning focuses on physical and financial assets, the question of what happens to your digital assets after your passing is equally important. Without proper planning, these assets could be lost, inaccessible, or even misused. Estate planning for digital assets ensures that your online presence is managed according to your wishes and that your loved ones can access critical accounts when needed.

What Are Digital Assets?

Digital assets encompass a broad range of online accounts and electronic records, including:

• Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
• Email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook)
• Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud)
• Online banking and investment accounts
• Cryptocurrencies and digital wallets (Bitcoin, Ethereum, PayPal, Venmo)
• Digital subscription...