Remember that classic SNL skit with “Judith” getting silenced at the table? They really captured the dreaded family holiday dinner. Year after year, we all follow the family tradition of packing into that one relative’s slightly too small home, to break the less-than-desirable but proverbial bread with your next of kin. The family holiday dinner is a custom honored across all cultures and divides. Yet, why is this institution—the family holiday dinner—dreaded by so many? Is it the reminder that great Uncle Larry is in an ever-declining state? Is that greedy cousin Susan who seems to have her nose in everyone’s business and private finances? Is it your overbearing brother Tom, who seems to control every aspect of your parents’ lives including when they visit and what they eat? The truth is everyone at the dinner table represents a probate case or contested estate waiting to happen. Oftentimes, we fail to see the warning signs until we are served with a subpoena or worse yet, a summons. Understanding how Prob

Once you pass away, your assets, including any businesses you own, can be passed on to your spouse, children, or anyone else you designate. However, they may be subject to taxes unless you prepare a sound estate plan that uses the right instruments. In this video podcast, Lavelle Law Shareholder Brian Warens details how to minimize tax obligations for your heirs by using the proper estate planning tools.