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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