Most parents assume that if something happens to them, their child will automatically be cared for by the other parent. Often that’s true, but not always. A recent case out of Michigan highlights how complicated things can become when family dynamics are strained. In...
Features
Features
Mountain Musings with Uncle Mott: Here Comes Summer
Let me tell ya, this was the Mayest May in many years, ya know. Ya know why they call it May? It’s becuz it may rain, it may snow and it may be 80 degrees. It did all of that this year. Now that May is leaving and we are drifting into June, school will soon be out for...
Financial Focus: Four reasons a 529 plan might make sense for your family
Whether your child is going to college or has other plans, here are four reasons to consider a 529 education savings plan. First are tax advantages. Earnings grow federally tax-free, and many states offer tax deductions on contributions. Second is the flexibility...
Ask the realtor: Your house is watching — The legal risk sellers forget during showings
Most of us barely notice our smart home devices anymore. The Ring doorbell catches package thieves. The Nest camera lets us check on the dog. Motion alerts buzz our phones so often that they’ve become background noise in daily life. Security cameras are no longer...
Estate Planning: What can happen to blended families when a spouse dies
Blended families are increasingly common and so are the estate planning challenges that come with them. Many couples believe the simplest plan is also the fairest: “I’ll leave everything to my spouse, and they’ll take care of my children.” While that may work in a...
Mountain Musings with Uncle Mott: Let the Big Horse Run
I’ve been inspired by the recent horse races – the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness – these last couple weeks and thought about when I arrived in Crestline 50 years ago. Many people, especially teens, were riding horses everywhere in town and and there were many...







