Below is a review of the posts on Facebook and LinkedIn from the past week. You can check out the full posts by clicking on the links.
NOTE: remember that we now post every other day.
The posts on Sunday 6/28/2026, here and here, were about When Good Intentions Fail: The $4 Million Estate Planning Mistake. That’s a big oops. Estate planning is easy to put off. It feels uncomfortable, complicated, and rarely urgent, until it is.
The post is a real-life story about what can happen when estate planning is incomplete, and why good intentions alone don’t protect the people you care about. Note: Names and identifying details were changed to protect privacy, but the facts and outcome are real.
The $4 Million Estate Planning Mistake That Changed Everything
This is a real-life story that happened last year. It’s also a cautionary example of estate planning mistakes that weren’t obvious at the time, but proved devastating in hindsight. The subject of the story was Margaret, who had built a life of significance. She was financially independent and a successful healthcare professional. She had no children of her own but a clear vision for her legacy:
- $4 million to her nephew, Bill, who was deeply involved in her care during her later years and whom she regarded as a son; and
- $2 million to her husband, Martin, from her latest marriage.
As Margaret got older, her mental health began to decline. Family members noticed changes that looked very much like dementia. But Margaret refused to get a formal diagnosis. Unfortunately, the lack of a formal diagnosis was the single thread that derailed Margaret’s whole plan.
The Estate Planning Mistake No One Thought Would Matter
Without a documented dementia diagnosis, Margaret was still considered legally competent. That opened the door to a series of decisions that completely changed the outcome of her estate. After Margaret clearly began to deteriorate, it happened fast. At the same time, Martin, her husband, transferred all of their joint assets at the bank into his personal account and then persuaded Margaret, during a period of significant cognitive decline, to sign an updated will that left everything to him. Are you cringing yet?
When Margaret passed away, Bill, the person she intended to leave the majority of her estate to, was left with almost nothing, except for physical assets like clothing and a car. Why did Bill only get $600,000 (still a large sum, but less than 1/3 of what Margaret had intended)? See the post.
Good Intentions Are Not Enough
Why did the system fail Margaret? Because in the eyes of the law, intent is invisible; documentation is everything. Her estate failed for several reasons:
- The lack of a medical “trigger”: with no formal diagnosis, there was no legal mechanism to stop what happened from happening (see the post);
- The vulnerability of joint titling: because Margaret had moved money into joint accounts, the assets could legally be used by either account holder;
- The absence of a trust: A will is a “death document,” but a trust is a “life document” that can protect someone (and their assets) while they are alive.
Estate Planning 101: What You Actually Need (and Why It Matters)
There are two common misconceptions about estate planning: ” I don’t have enough money to need estate plans” and ” I have a will, that’s enough for an estate plan.” Both are wrong in ways that can have real consequences.
Estate planning isn’t just about wealth or what happens after you die. It is about control: who makes decisions for you, who manages your money, and how your wishes are carried out when you’re no longer able to advocate for yourself.
So what does a basic estate plan actually include? What follows is an overview of the essentials:
1. A Will: Instructions After You Die. This is usually the first document people think of. It answers basic but important questions like those listed in the post. But what many people don’t realize – or don’t really remember – is that a will only takes effect after death. It does nothing if you’re alive but sick, injured, or in cognitive decline.
How did this have an effect in Margaret’s case? See the post. Bottom line: A will is necessary, but it’s not sufficient by itself.
2. A Revocable Living Trust: Protection While You’re Alive. A revocable living trust is often misunderstood as something only “very wealthy” people need. In reality, its most important function has nothing to do with taxes. See our posts of Tues. 6/16/2026, here and here, for more details on a Living Trust.
A Living Trust is the document that protects you before death. If Margaret’s assets had been held in a trust, what would have changed? See the post.
3. Durable Power of Attorney: Who Can Act for You Financially. A Durable Power of Attorney (POA) allows someone else to manage your finances if you can’t, including doing those things noted in the post. It is important that it be durable (not springing) to ensure its viability. But POAs are actually powerful tools (see the post), so make sure to keep your POA up to date.
4. Healthcare Directives: Who Makes Medical Decisions. See the post for what it does and why you need it.
5. How Your Assets Are Titled: The Hidden Deal-Breaker. This is what most people overlook. How an account is titled often determines what happens to it, regardless of what your Will says. Some examples are in the post. In Margaret’s situation, joint accounts allowed assets to be moved legally, even though that contradicted her intentions. For estate planning to work, documents and titling must align.
Why the Basics Matter More Than You Think. You probably don’t need a complex or expensive plan to avoid what happened in Margaret’s case. But you do need the right foundation. Margaret’s story is extreme, but the things that let it happen are very common.
TAKEAWAY: Getting the basics right with your estate planning can make the difference between a plan that reflects your wishes and one that quietly guards you and your assets when you need it most. Work with an estate planning attorney to safeguard you and your assets.
The posts on Tuesday 6/30/2026, here and here, provided 12 Warning Signs Your HOA (or Condo) Is Out of Control. So what should you do if you notice any of these things? Contact the condo/HOA attorney (or your own lawyer who is well-versed in community association law).
Ok, so you pay your dues and follow the rules, but somehow your HOA or condo association still has a problem with you. Maybe you feel like things have become a little too strict—or just plain weird. Let’s look at twelve warning signs that your HOA might be much too power-hungry. You may want (or need) to speak out if you notice any of these things:
They Won’t Share the Budget – you asked for the budget, they act as though you asked for nuclear launch codes and refuse to give you the budget because of “confidentiality reasons”. The HOA, your HOA, may dodge simple financial questions or keep putting you off, which should raise suspicions. It’s your money, so you should be able to see where it’s going.
They Start Hiring the Same Vendors Without Bidding – The landscaping crew hasn’t changed in five years, yet they still blow leaves into your flower bed, which could be because your HOA avoids getting quotes from different vendors. Why is this a problem? See the post.
Board Members Extend Their Terms Without a Vote – One day, you hear there’s going to be an election, but the next thing you know, it’s “actually, the board decided to stay on another year” and they canceled the election or stretched their own terms. They ignore basic rules, maybe claiming there weren’t enough volunteers or it’s “in the bylaws.” So what do you do? See the post.
Emergency Powers Keep Getting Extended – see the post for details on this one and what it could lead to.
They Create Rules Without Notifying Residents – Any new rule or regulation should come with notices & discussions, and preferably a chance for residents to weigh in, not just a violation letter after the fact When you question it, will you hear the response that’s in the post?
Fines Start Appearing Without Warnings – similarly to the above item, you go to check your online account/statement, only to discover a fine for something for which you did not receive a warning. The Governing Documents, or applicable state law, may (and probably do) require that the HOA give you a warning (and perhaps opportunity to be heard) before levying a fine.
Maintenance Projects Stall for Years – why is this a problem when you pay your full assessment each month? See the post.
Meeting Minutes Go Missing or Are Never Shared – Whenever you ask for meeting minutes, you get the runaround or they pretend they don’t know what you mean. Meeting minutes are public. Often residents stop asking if they don’t get what they ask for, but that just perpetuates a lack of transparency.
Board Meetings Are Suddenly Held in Private Homes– In Pennsylvania at least, the fact that the board might meet in someone’s home is neither illegal nor odd, especially since many are not open to the general membership. But if they used to be elsewhere, especially if the members were not allowed to attend and all of a sudden that changes, then you are correct to question it.
They Start Suing Homeowners Left and Right – How this can happen, and why it matters, is in the post.
Owners Start Paying for Things Twice – you already paid dues this year, but now there’s a special assessment for roof repairs, the same ones the dues were supposed to cover. It might be an oversight or it might be a real problem for the reasons in the post.
They Ban Open Forum Discussions at Meetings – During board meetings, you want to ask a question, but the board either shuts down open session for members (something like is in the post) or, at owners’ meetings, no questions/comments are allowed. That’s wrong. If for no other reason, because of what is noted in the post.
TAKEAWAY: Owners should pay attention to what is happening in their condo/homeowners association. Most Boards try to do the right thing, but occasionally there is a rogue Board, or Board member, and owner engagement can keep that from being taken to an extreme.
The posts on Thursday 7/2/2026, here and here, gave us 7 critical tips for estate planning (with #6 perhaps being the most important).
Beyond retirement, estate planning is one of the most important (and complicated) financial decisions a person can make, and it is made even more difficult by the emotions driven by contemplating one’s own mortality (because yes, we will all die one day). A Google search for “estate planning” results in more than five billion entries, while “estate planning services” populates another three billion. So knowing where to start is often the toughest task of all. Before sitting down on your own to determine how best to distribute your assets to your heirs, it is recommended that you speak with a fiduciary financial advisor (who could be an estate planning attorney). They can help you assess what you have and how best to transfer your assets in the most tax efficient way while achieving your desired result.
Here are seven critical steps for estate planning:
1. Define your objectives. The goal is to make a plan for distributing your assets when you die. This includes many things like money, taxes, family dynamics and emotions. Some things that might factor into your ultimate goal are noted in the post. If you start with your intentions, your next steps will be clearer.
2. Inventory your belongings. Before you can decide what to do with it all, you need to know what the “all” is. Your assets include both the tangible and intangible, such as:
- Homes, land and real estate;
- Cars/boats;
- Collectibles/antiques;
- Bank accounts;
- Life insurance policies; and the other things listed in the post.
3. Consider your values. Now you know what you have, so it is time to decide what you want to leave behind. What legacy, memory, or impact do you want to make? Some examples are in the post, but this is very specific to you as an individual.
4. Brainstorm your beneficiaries. It is your “all” so you can do with it what you want (if you leave a Will). So make a list of the people or organizations you want to receive a piece of your estate (i.e., who gets the “all”).
5. Prepare your inheritors’ tool chest. This is where estate planning gets more complex. Tax implications can seriously impact the final value of inherited funds, while medical coverage, life insurance policies, and other financial tools can be the difference between using up your resources in your final days versus retaining a nest egg to pass along. Among the list of medical and legal considerations you should discuss with the estate planning professional are the following:
- Life insurance;
- Trust(s);
- Power of attorney;
- Medical/Health Care Directive; and
- Tax implications
6. Enlist the advice of a pro. Everything above can be daunting, and it may well be depending on your situation. This is where an estate planning professional comes in. They will work in your best interest and can help navigate the ins and outs of the many things listed in the post. Getting the right advice at the right time could save your beneficiaries significant tax liability, make the process less stressful, and help ensure that your wishes are caried out. For an example of how things can go so wrong, see our posts of Sunday 6/28/2026, here and here.
7. Don’t “set it and forget it.” Life goes on; things change. And those things might have an effect on your estate plan, so review everything periodically with that estate planning professional.
TAKEAWAY: You have worked hard for what you have; make sure that what you want to do with it after you die is actually what happens. Consult an estate planning attorney (or other licensed fiduciary).
The posts on Saturday 7/4/2026, here and here, were in honor of this Independence Day and to learn about the US Flag Code.
The United States Flag Code (found at Title 4 of the US Code, Sections 5–10) was adopted by Congress in 1942 to establish a uniform standard for the respect and display of the American Flag. It is a guide to proper etiquette, not a law carrying penalties. This article is a plain-language summary of the Flag Code’s key provisions.
When to display the Flag (4 U.S.C. § 6)
- The Flag is customarily displayed only from sunrise to sunset. It may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness;
- The Flag should not be displayed when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather Flag is used;
- The Flag should be displayed on all days, and especially on the specific days enumerated in the post; and
- The Flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution, in or near every polling place on election days, and in or near every schoolhouse during school days.
How to display the Flag (4 U.S.C. § 7)
- When carried in a procession with other flags, the Flag should be on the marching right or in front of the center of the line;
- When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the Flag should be on its own right (the observer’s left), with its staff in front of the other;
- When flown with the flags of States, cities, or organizations on the same halyard, where the Flag should be placed, and when hoisted and lowered, is all in the post;
- No other flag may be placed above the Flag of the United States or to its right. Flag sizes and staff heights when displayed with the flag of another nation are also in the post;
- When displayed flat or hung vertically against a wall, the union (the field of stars) is always uppermost and to the Flag’s own right (the observer’s left);
- When displayed over a street, the union should face north on an east-west street, or east on a north-south street;
- When used to cover a casket, the union is placed at the head and over the left shoulder. Restrictions relative to the Flag at burials are in the post; and
- The Flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
Flying the Flag at half-staff (4 U.S.C. § 7(m))
- How to raise and lower the Flag at half-staff is described in the post
- The Flag is flown at half-staff by Presidential proclamation upon the death of principal government figures, and for thirty days following the death of a President or former President;
- On Memorial Day, the Flag is displayed at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raised to the peak for the remainder of the day; and
- On Patriot Day (September 11) and other observances, the Flag is flown at half-staff as directed.
Respect for the Flag (4 U.S.C. § 8)
- The Flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise;
- The Flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free;
- The Flag should never be used as apparel, bedding, or drapery, nor festooned or drawn back in folds. What to do for decoration is in the post;
- The Flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature;
- The Flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything;
- The Flag should never be used for advertising purposes, nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on napkins or boxes, or used on any costume or athletic uniform. By whom a Flag patch may be worn is listed in the post;
- The Flag should never be dipped to any person or thing; and
- When a Flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
Conduct during hoisting, lowering, or passing (4 U.S.C. § 9)
- During the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the Flag, all present should face it and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart;
- Military salutes should be rendered as noted in the post; and
- Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
The post also contains a handful of common Q&A about the Flag Code.
TAKEAWAY: The Flag means something. Treat it with the respect