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Imagine unlocking the front door of a loved one’s home for the first time after the funeral. Closets packed with decades of clothing. Cabinets filled with dishes no one ever used. A garage stacked floor-to-ceiling with tools, holiday decorations, and boxes labeled miscellaneous . Drawers full of papers, keepsakes, and objects whose stories are already fading. For many families, this moment is overwhelming — and it happens every single day, including right here in Honolulu and

When Honolulu families begin thinking about estate planning, one of the first questions that comes up is simple — do I need a will, a trust, or both?  Unfortunately, the answers you’ll hear from friends, social media, or online “experts” often conflict, leaving you more confused than confident. The truth is this: estate planning isn’t about choosing the right document . It’s about creating a plan that actually works when your loved ones need it most — during moments of stress

You may already know you “should” have a will or a trust — but have you ever had a real conversation with your family about why  your money exists in the first place? A thoughtfully written f amily mission statement, paired with a well-designed estate plan, can dramatically increase the odds that both your wealth and your relationships survive for generations. You spend a lifetime working, saving, and building a life for the people you love. Yet studies consistently show that

If you have an IRA, 401(k), or other retirement savings, recent changes in federal law could significantly affect how — and how quickly — your loved ones receive those assets after your death. The SECURE Act 2.0, passed in late 2022, introduced some of the most sweeping retirement planning changes in decades. While many people assume these updates only matter during retirement, the reality is far more personal: the law directly impacts your beneficiaries, including how much t

When 39-year-old food influencer Michael Duarte passed away unexpectedly during a routine trip to Texas, the shock rippled far beyond his millions of followers. Just days earlier, he had been sharing recipes, laughing with his 6-year-old daughter Oakley, and building the life he loved with his wife, Jessica. His vibrant presence — the sizzling barbecue videos, the creative flavor mashups — made it hard to imagine that anything could stop his momentum. But on November 8, 2025,

When siblings come together to care for aging parents, we imagine it will bring the family closer. In reality, it often does the opposite. Long-buried tensions resurface, old patterns return, and what should be a season of support becomes a source of lasting strain. I see this frequently in families here in Honolulu and throughout Hawaiʻi — and it’s one of the most emotionally challenging aspects of aging-parent care. With more than 37 million Americans providing unpaid elder

If you’ve ever played White Elephant, you know exactly how quickly things can get competitive. Someone “steals” the one gift worth having, alliances form between spouses, and poor Cousin Sarah ends up stuck with the singing fish for the third year in a row. It’s all in good fun — mostly. Now imagine that same energy, except the “prizes” are Dad’s classic car, Mom’s jewelry, or the beach house your parents bought decades ago. No rules. No turns. No laughing afterward. And unli

Each November, we pause to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who serve our country. But beyond ceremonies and flags, Veterans Day is also a reminder of something deeply personal — the need to protect the people who stand behind you. In Hawaiʻi, where ʻohana means everything, proper estate planning is one of the most meaningful ways to honor your service and safeguard your family’s future. Why Some Families Need a More Specialized Estate Plan Military and civilian famil

Many families focus on building  wealth, but far fewer think about keeping  it. Studies show that most families lose their wealth by the second generation — and nearly 90% lose it by the third. This isn’t because parents don’t care. It’s because key pieces of planning are missing. In Honolulu and across Hawaiʻi, where family ties are strong and property often carries deep emotional and cultural value, preserving wealth for future generations requires more than financial succe

Many couples in Hawaiʻi share homes, finances, and a lifetime of memories without ever marrying. But under Hawaiʻi law, those relationships aren’t automatically recognized. If something happens to you, your partner could lose access to your home, savings, or even the right to make medical decisions on your behalf. Through my Life & Legacy Planning®  process, I help Honolulu couples ensure their wishes are honored and their partners are legally protected — no matter what life

From October 20–26, 2025, families across Hawaiʻi will join others nationwide in recognizing Estate Planning Awareness Week — a reminder that the most loving thing you can do for your ʻohana is to plan ahead. While many think of “estate planning” as piles of legal documents, it’s far more than that. True planning isn’t just about wills or trusts — it’s about protecting your loved ones, passing down your values, and ensuring your family can navigate life’s hardest moments with

When someone you love dies, grief is heavy enough. Add legal confusion, frozen bank accounts, and court paperwork — and even the most organized ʻohana can feel overwhelmed. That’s exactly what happens to many families across Hawaiʻi when there isn’t a clear plan (or a guide) in place. Below are true-to-life scenarios that show how easily things can go sideways — and why working with the right lawyer in Honolulu can spare your loved ones unnecessary stress, expense, and confli

If you’ve been told that estate planning starts with a quick initial consultation and ends with a stack of documents, you may be heading...

October marks LGBTQIA+ History Month — a time to reflect on the resilience, courage, and victories of those who fought for equality. It’s...

Protect your future in Hawaiʻi with a Life & Legacy Plan. Learn how thoughtful planning safeguards your care, dignity, and ʻohana.

Losing someone you love reshapes your world in ways you may never expect. Some changes are obvious — you no longer share birthdays,...

When my colleague’s son moved into his first apartment for college, he quickly realized how expensive groceries could be. “Food is so...

I would give anything to hear my grandmother’s voice again. My grandmother had been the heart of my family — the one who told stories...

Imagine this: you and your spouse spend decades building a successful business, investing wisely, and creating stability for your family....

Labor Day has always been about honoring the American worker — the people who build our communities, keep our economy moving, and create...