Blum's Blog

If You Care About Saving Tax, Read This Post
I often describe my journey as an estate planning lawyer as traveling from a place that was all “head” to a “head and heart” destination. I went to law school 50

Looking Back at My First 300 Posts– The Evolution of Blum’s Blog
Last week was my 300th post. The reaction to that milestone has been so affirming. Many of you requested that I sort the first 300 by topic and compile them into a

My 300th Post: Shining a Light on One of My Greatest Legacies—The Blum Firm
Wow, today marks my 300th blog post! For 300 weeks, an email from me has arrived in your inbox every Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. CT. First and foremost, I

Book Tip — The Shell Seekers: How to Be an Heir Worthy of a Legacy
I often write about the giver’s role in passing down a legacy. I encourage parents and grandparents to hold family meetings, share their stories, communicate their wishes, and prepare their

One More Time — Equal vs. Unequal: The Inheritance Debate
One of the hottest issues that parents debate is whether to leave the estate equally to their kids when unequal may actually be more fair. I have addressed this dilemma numerous

Special Edition: A Tribute to Dolly Parton (1946-2026)—“I Will Always Love You”
This is a blog about Legacy Planning. When it comes to building a legacy, Dolly Parton’s life is a masterclass. She overcame obstacles and lived life as a role model for love,

Becky Samons — Celebrating 30 Years at The Blum Firm and the Lessons We Can All Learn from Her!
Today I have the extraordinary opportunity to recognize Becky Samons, who tomorrow celebrates 30 years at The Blum Firm. In doing so, I want to reflect on the rare occurrence of

Finding a New Home for Elsie’s Treasures
No matter how many estates I’ve administered, it’s different when it’s your own family. As I power through my mom’s estate, I’m learning lessons to share with you. Here are

How to Avoid “Complicated Grief”
As I weather through the chapter in life of losing my mom Elsie, I am learning a lot about grief. When you experience a loss, grief is unavoidable. It’s a normal part

Breaking Three Stigmas Around Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is not about planning for a marriage to fail. It is about entering the marriage with clarity and a plan for the future. Last week, I discussed

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, A Love Story…and Maybe a Prenup Too
Did Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sign a prenuptial agreement before saying “I do”? We may never know, as that information would likely remain confidential. But given the significant wealth,

When in Doubt, Go! It Saved Talmage’s Life.
Last Wednesday morning, I received a text from my best friend Talmage Boston. That’s not unusual. Most of my mornings start with a text from Talmage. This one was different: “I’ve had a
