Polaris Estate Planning & Elder Law

08/14/2026

ICYMI

Did you see our annoucement yesterday? If you missed it...

We've been named Best Estate Planning Law Firm in St. Louis Magazine's A-List for 2026!

Here's a link to the complete list of winners: https://www.stlmag.com/alist/

And here's a link to a blog we published talking a little more about how much this honor means to us and why: https://polarisplans.com/polaris-named-st-louis-magazines-2026-a-list-best-estate-planning-law-firm/

08/14/2026

📄 Having a will doesn't automatically mean your family is protected.

In Missouri, even a small mistake—like improper witnessing, not updating when new assets are acquired, or failing to name a guardian for your children—can create major problems when your will is needed most. Our latest blog covers six common mistakes that can make a will ineffective and how to avoid them.

👉 Read the full article: https://www.polarisplans.com/six-mistakes-that-can-undermine-a-missouri-will

08/13/2026

Thank you to the clients, colleagues, and everyone else that voted for us! And thank you to St. Louis Magazine!

08/12/2026

📁 You have a living trust—but is it actually protecting your family?

Many people assume signing a trust is the final step. In reality, a trust only works if your assets are properly transferred into it. If your home, accounts, or other property were never titled in the trust's name, your loved ones could still end up going through probate. Our latest blog explains the "unfunded trust" problem and how to find out if your plan is really working.

👉 Read the full article: https://www.polarisplans.com/the-unfunded-trust-problem-why-so-many-missouri-living-trusts-dont-actually-work

08/07/2026

🏛️ Did you know Missouri has two different probate processes?

Many families assume probate is the same for everyone, but that's not the case. Independent administration is typically faster and involves less court oversight, while supervised administration requires the court to approve major decisions along the way. Our latest blog explains the difference—and how updating your estate plan today can help your family take the easier path.

👉 Read the full article:

Learn how a Missouri small estate affidavit works, who qualifies, what assets are eligible, and when full probate is still required.

08/05/2026

⏳ Wondering why probate seems to take so long?

Many Missouri families assume something has gone wrong when an estate is still open months later. In reality, some delays are built into the law, while others can often be prevented with good planning and the right guidance. Our latest blog explains the six most common reasons probate slows down—and what families can do to keep the process moving.

👉 Read the full article: https://polarisplans.com/what-slows-missouri-probate-down-6-common-delays-and-how-families-avoid-them-cloned-18466/

Learn how a Missouri small estate affidavit works, who qualifies, what assets are eligible, and when full probate is still required.

07/31/2026

Is a living trust always better than a will?

Not necessarily.

A living trust and a will are designed to do different jobs. A living trust can help properly funded assets avoid probate and provide continuity if you become incapacitated, while a will directs how your probate assets should be distributed and allows you to nominate a guardian for minor children.

For many Missouri families, the strongest estate plan includes both—not one or the other.

👇 Read the full article in the comments below.



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Learn how a Missouri small estate affidavit works, who qualifies, what assets are eligible, and when full probate is still required.

07/29/2026

Can every family use a Missouri small estate affidavit to avoid full probate?

Not necessarily.

A small estate affidavit can simplify the probate process for qualifying estates, but eligibility depends on factors like the value of the probate estate, the types of assets involved, and Missouri's legal requirements.

Understanding whether an estate qualifies before filing can help your family avoid unnecessary delays and move forward with greater confidence.

👇 Read the full article in the comments below.


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Learn how a Missouri small estate affidavit works, who qualifies, what assets are eligible, and when full probate is still required.

07/22/2026

Does everything automatically go to your spouse if you pass away?
Many people assume the answer is yes—but that's not always the case.

How your assets are titled, whether your beneficiary designations are current, and the estate planning documents you have in place all play an important role in protecting your spouse and helping them avoid unnecessary legal or financial obstacles.

Planning ahead isn't just about who inherits your assets. It's about making life easier for the person you love most.

07/17/2026

When you hear "probate court," do you picture dramatic courtroom hearings?

For most Missouri families, that's not what probate looks like.

In many cases, probate is an organized legal process that's handled primarily through paperwork, court filings, and meeting important deadlines—not repeated appearances before a judge.

Understanding what to expect can make an overwhelming situation feel much more manageable.

👇 Read the full article in the comments below.