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If you've been following recent tax law changes, you've probably heard about the increase in the federal estate tax exemption. For many families, that's welcome news. But there is another provision receiving far less attention — one that could have a much broader impact on families with existing trusts. Several clients have already asked whether the recently enacted federal tax legislation (commonly referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill") changes anything about their est

She found the notebook in the top drawer of her mother's desk. Inside were page after page of carefully organized information — usernames, passwords, recovery questions, and notes about nearly every online account. Her mother had always been meticulous, and the notebook reflected that. But when she tried to log in, nothing worked. The bank asked for a six-digit verification code sent to her mother's phone. The phone was locked with biometric security. The email account connec

Many people in Honolulu and across Hawaiʻi believe that once they sign a Power of Attorney (POA), the problem is solved. The document gets tucked away with other important papers, and there’s a sense of relief knowing someone trusted has been legally appointed to help if something ever happens. Then a crisis hits. A parent suffers a stroke. A spouse becomes incapacitated. An adult child walks into the bank with a valid POA — only to hear: “This document is too old.” “We need

For many families in Honolulu and across Hawaiʻi, retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s make up a significant portion — sometimes the largest portion — of their overall wealth. Yet, these accounts are often misunderstood when it comes to estate planning. Unlike most assets, retirement accounts don’t simply transfer to your loved ones tax-free. Instead, they come with a unique set of rules that can dramatically impact how much your family actually receives. Without proper

Many people exploring estate planning hear the same advice: “You should have a trust.” But what’s often overlooked is that not all trusts work the same way. In fact, there are two common ways a trust can be created — and the experience your family has after you pass away can look very different depending on which approach you choose. In our last article we looked at testamentary trusts, which are created through a will. This week, we’ll explore revocable living trusts — trust

Blended families are common here in Honolulu and across Hawaiʻi. Whether you’ve remarried, have children from a prior relationship, or both you and your spouse brought children into the marriage, estate planning becomes more nuanced — and more important. You may already be thinking about who inherits your home, your savings, or other investments. But retirement accounts often carry special rules that can override your intentions. If you don’t understand how those rules work,