June 26, 2026
Solstice Greetings (or Thereabouts)
Solstice greetings from Phil Runyon on reviewing estate planning documents, updating wills and trusts, and keeping powers of attorney and health care directives current.
Estate Planning
June 5, 2024
Common Dilemmas You May Recognize
I won't offend any of you by assuming you're regular readers of the AARP magazine quite yet, but a recent issue raised some of the knottiest planning dilemmas f...
August 1, 2023
Choosing the Right Executor or Trustee
Phil Runyon discusses why the best executor or trustee may not be the most legally or financially sophisticated family member, and how to think about those choices.
July 1, 2023
Trust Funding, TOD Beneficiaries, and Student Loans
Phil Runyon discusses practical work-arounds for funding revocable trusts, transfer-on-death beneficiaries, vehicle titles, and federal student loan concerns.
May 1, 2023
Estate Planning Tune-Ups
Phil Runyon explains why wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and health care directives may need periodic review as family circumstances and legal requirements change.
March 1, 2023
Last-Minute Wishes, Safe Deposit Boxes, and Obituaries
Phil Runyon discusses why estate planning changes need proper formalities, where to keep final instructions, safe deposit box access, lifetime deeds, and obituary planning.
December 1, 2022
Springing Powers of Attorney and Trust Funding
Phil Runyon discusses springing powers of attorney, health care directives, downloaded wills, revocable trust funding, and when estate planning documents should be refreshed.
November 1, 2022
Family Bequests, Caregivers, and Financial Affairs
Phil Runyon discusses estate planning for in-laws, caregiver bequests, and helping seniors transition financial affairs management.
July 1, 2022
Health Care Directives, Family Stories, and Trust Choices
Phil Runyon discusses keeping health care directives current, preserving family stories, capacity planning, trustee choices, cremation, and trust provisions for vulnerable beneficiaries.
March 1, 2022
Planning for Pets in Estate Planning
Phil Runyon discusses how revocable trusts and estate planning documents can help provide for pets after their owners are gone.
April 24, 2019
It's Never Too Early to Plan Ahead by Phil Runyon
It's Never Too Early to Plan Ahead It occurred to me that most of what I say in these pieces is directed toward my contemporaries rather than our children and g...
January 25, 2016
Another Planning Resolution by Phil Runyon
Another Planning Resolution In addition to resolving to being nicer people this year, let's also resolve to keep our planning documents in good order - and let'...
October 23, 2015
Protecting Your Most Precious Assets by Phil Runyon
Protecting Your Most Precious Assets t's always important to get your affairs in order - just in case things happen unexpectedly - but there's one organizing jo...
August 27, 2015
Sometimes More Information is Better by Phil Runyon
Sometimes More Information is Better Here are a few words on a subject that can be totally unenjoyable, even divisive, in many families, at a time when they rea...
July 24, 2015
Be Charitable with IRAs by Phil Runyon
Be Charitable with IRAs I want to talk about IRAs and charities in the same breath here, and I want to acknowledge my good friends at the New Hampshire Charitab...
July 24, 2014
Ensuring a Future by Phil Runyon
Ensuring a Future One of the consequences of summer winding down is that schools and colleges will soon be cranking up again - and cranking out their tuition bi...
July 24, 2014
More Trust News by Phil Runyon
More Trust News If you've been even an intermittent reader here, you know I've proclaimed the helpful uses of trusts on many occasions. Historically, the primar...
January 7, 2014
Joint Tenants Take Note by Phil Runyon
Joint Tenants Take Note As the heading suggests, I'm out to toss a little cold water on the common technique many of us employ to pass our worldly stuff on to o...
Not legal advice
A note about Food for Thought
Food for Thought offers general educational commentary only and is not legal advice. Reading a post, using the glossary, or following links on this section of the site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact Runyon Law Office PLLC if you would like advice about your own situation.