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
Before you choose an estate planning attorney, understand the common missteps that can quietly affect families — and how to approach planning with clarity and confidence.