Articles
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Polaris Named St Louis Magazine’s 2026 A-List Best Estate Planning Law Firm
St. Louis Magazine has named Polaris Estate Planning and Elder Law the Best Estate Planning Law Firm in its 2026 A-List Readers’ Choice Awards. We want to be clear about where this came from, because it changes what it… Read “Polaris Named St Louis Magazine’s 2026 A-List Best Estate Planning Law Firm”
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Six Mistakes That Can Undermine a Missouri Will
Written by: Attorney Scott Stork TL;DR Signing a document called a will doesn’t guarantee that a will is valid or that it will work as you intend.. In Missouri, a will has to meet specific requirements, and six common… Read “Six Mistakes That Can Undermine a Missouri Will”
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The Unfunded Trust Problem: Why So Many Missouri Living Trusts Don’t Actually Work
Written by: Attorney Raymond Chandler TL;DR A living trust only accomplishes its intended goals for assets it actually owns.. Many Missouri trusts were properly drafted and signed but never funded, meaning the home was… Read “The Unfunded Trust Problem: Why So Many Missouri Living Trusts Don’t Actually Work”
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Is a Living Trust Better Than a Will in Missouri?
Written by: Attorney Scott Stork TL;DR A living trust and a will each play an important role in estate planning, but they serve different purposes. A living trust can help properly funded assets avoid probate, provide… Read “Is a Living Trust Better Than a Will in Missouri?”
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How Do You Protect a Surviving Spouse in Missouri?
Written by: Marcus Tecarro TL;DR Protecting a surviving spouse involves much more than deciding who inherits your assets. A well-coordinated estate plan can help ensure your spouse has access to financial accounts,… Read “How Do You Protect a Surviving Spouse in Missouri?”
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Estate Planning Attorney St. Louis: When Do You Actually Need One?
Written by: Attorney Scott Stork TL;DR Professionals know they need an estate plan but keep putting it off. Without one, Missouri’s intestate succession laws decide who inherits, and a court, not the family, decides who… Read “Estate Planning Attorney St. Louis: When Do You Actually Need One?”
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Do You Need an Elder Law Attorney in St. Louis? What Families Ask and What You Should Know Before You Call
Written by: Attorney Raymond Chandler Quick Summary You probably know someone who went through it. A parent who needed a nursing home and nobody had a plan. A sibling whose assets disappeared before Medicaid kicked in… Read “Do You Need an Elder Law Attorney in St. Louis? What Families Ask and What You Should Know Before You Call”
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How to Find the Right Estate Planning Attorney in Missouri: What to Look For, What to Ask, and What to Avoid
Written by: Attorney Marcus Tecarro You are not the kind of person who makes important decisions without doing your homework. When you hired your financial advisor, you asked questions. When you chose your accountant,… Read “How to Find the Right Estate Planning Attorney in Missouri: What to Look For, What to Ask, and What to Avoid”
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5 Reasons High-Earners in St. Louis Keep Putting Off Their Estate Plan
Written by: Attorney Scott Stork You are good at this. You built a career that most people would envy. You manage complexity at work every single day. You make hard decisions, meet deadlines, and provide for your family… Read “5 Reasons High-Earners in St. Louis Keep Putting Off Their Estate Plan”
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What Happens If Your Beneficiary Dies Before You? How to Protect Your Estate Plan
Written by: Attorney Marcus Tecarro You spent decades building something worth protecting. The retirement accounts, the house, the investments — you did the work, made the sacrifices, and got the plan in place. But… Read “What Happens If Your Beneficiary Dies Before You? How to Protect Your Estate Plan”