Q&A: Retirement Accounts and Estate Planning – Your 401(k) Questions Answered
Your 401(k) is likely one of your largest assets — but it may not be as protected as you think. Here is what Kansas City families need to know about how retirement accounts fit into an estate plan. Is naming a 401(k) beneficiary enough? It is an important first step, but it may not be
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Q&A: Protecting Your Children, Estate Planning FAQs for Families
For parents, estate planning is less about paperwork and more about making sure your children are protected — no matter what happens. Here are the questions we hear most from Kansas City families with minor children. Do young parents need estate planning? Yes — and in many ways, having young children makes estate planning more
Read MoreQ&A: Wills, Trusts & Probate
Your Estate Planning Questions Answered: Wills, Trusts, and Probate Estate planning comes with a lot of questions — and a lot of misconceptions. Here are some of the most common ones we hear from Kansas City families, answered in plain English. Is estate planning only for wealthy families? No — and this is one of
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Mastering Estate Planning: Navigating the Complex Waters of legacy, Protection, and Growth
In the world of wealth management and legacy planning, estate planning often finds itself in the shadow of more thrilling topics like investment and wealth creation. Yet, its importance cannot be understated. As Craig Gordon, Vice President and Shareholder at Prevail, passionately outlines, estate planning, though daunting and complex at times, is crucial to safeguarding
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How Business Owners Can Build Wealth and Protect It: A Financial and Legal Guide
How Business Owners Can Build Wealth and Protect It: A Financial and Legal Guide Building a business is one of the most rewarding things you can do — but it also comes with financial risks that most people don’t learn about until it’s too late. At a recent event, financial advisor Kerry Lawing and estate
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Who Actually Needs an Estate Plan? (Hint: Probably You)
One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter every day is this: “I don’t need an estate plan — I’m not wealthy enough.” It’s one of the most common myths in personal finance, and it could end up costing your family dearly. The truth is: almost everyone needs some form of estate plan. Here’s why: If
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Will vs. Trust: What’s the Difference in Estate Planning?
Will vs. Trust: What’s the Difference in Estate Planning? It’s one of the most common questions we get — and one of the most misunderstood areas of estate planning: what’s the difference between a will and a trust? What a Will Does A will is a legal document that provides instructions to a judge about
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What Age Should Your Kids Inherit? Estate Planning for Families Explained
It’s one of the most important questions in estate planning — and one that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer: at what age should your children inherit? If you do nothing, the default answer under Kansas and Missouri law is 18. And while 18-year-olds are legally adults, most parents we work with aren’t comfortable with the
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Is a 401(k) Beneficiary Designation Enough? Estate Planning & Tax Risks Explained
One of the most common questions we hear from 401(k) participants is: “I already have a beneficiary on file — isn’t that enough?” The short answer is no — and here’s why it matters. Having a beneficiary designation on your 401(k) is important, but it’s only one piece of a complete estate plan. Tax laws
Read MoreEstate Planning Is More Than a Will: What Every Kansas City Family Needs to Know
Estate Planning Is More Than a Will: What Every Kansas City Family Needs to Know Most people think estate planning means signing a will and calling it a day. The reality is much more comprehensive — and much more important — than that. At Schowengerdt Law, we cover estate planning from the ground up: foundational
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