<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Tetreault Law Group]]></title><description><![CDATA[Tetreault Law Group]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:21:21 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Here’s What Happens to Your Retirement Accounts After You Die]]></title><description><![CDATA[Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs often represent the single largest category of wealth for American families. According to recent data, retirement funds in these accounts alone total roughly $21 trillion, and for many households, they compose over 34% of average household assets, even exceeding home equity. Given this scale, understanding how these accounts transfer to beneficiaries after death isn't just important, it's essential to protecting your family's financial future. The...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/here-s-what-happens-to-your-retirement-accounts-after-you-die</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bdaf6b401a0b244d002b25</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:26:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_01a4a0eac2c04babb911d4062faa5ae2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Creating a Trust in Your Will vs. Creating a Living Trust: Part 2]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last week, we covered how it works when you create a trust through your will. This week, I'll show you how a trust created during your lifetime (called a revocable living trust) functions differently, what your family experiences when you've set up a living trust, and how to decide which approach truly fits your situation. As a quick refresher, a “testamentary trust” is created in your will and only comes into existence after your estate goes through probate. As a result, your  family could...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/creating-a-trust-in-your-will-vs-creating-a-living-trust-part-2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bda790cf14a7a450c9cefd</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 20:20:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_8b59098e9b0b43a4b2571051deed38df~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Creating a Trust in Your Will vs. Creating a Living Trust: Part 1]]></title><description><![CDATA[You've probably heard that trusts help families avoid probate court and protect assets for the people you love. Maybe you've even talked to a lawyer who mentioned including a trust in your will. It sounds like a good solution, but here's what most people don't realize: a trust created in your will works very differently from a living trust you create today, and the difference will have a major impact on your loved ones when you die. Both options use the word "trust," which makes them sound...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/creating-a-trust-in-your-will-vs-creating-a-living-trust-part-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69aeaf340c1a368a2fa38313</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:54:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_591604bc841b4f46a8f69aba5609244b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Quick and Simple Estate Plan Reviews Don't Exist]]></title><description><![CDATA[When someone calls an estate planning attorney asking for a "quick look" at their documents, the request usually sounds straightforward. Maybe the documents were created using an online service, and they want to “just be sure” the documents are sound. Perhaps there's been a move to a new state and a question about whether the plan still works. Or maybe the documents are a few (or more)  years old, and there's uncertainty about whether they're still valid. Most people expect a simple yes or no...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/why-quick-and-simple-estate-plan-reviews-don-t-exist</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a49dea51b11cfaffff9aa9</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 20:26:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_3470cbd2ee014d13a99619815eed3cd0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Where Will You Live and How Will You Get and Pay For Care As  You Age? A Legal and Practical Guide]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you're planning for your own future or helping aging parents, understanding options for living and long-term care isn't just about finding a nice place to live. It's about navigating a complex web of legal, financial, and personal decisions that will affect quality of life, inheritance, and family dynamics for generations to come. Let's break down what you need to know. The Main Residence Options Most older adults prefer aging in place, or staying in their own home as long as possible. You...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/where-will-you-live-and-how-will-you-get-and-pay-for-care-as-you-age-a-legal-and-practical-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698c6ee7a396cee89ab76fb3</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:29:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_dd9b8a71387d466083cf221e9ecc046a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Frozen Accounts, Court Delays, and Grief: What Happens in the Probate Process]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your mom told you not to worry; she  had everything handled. You were her power of attorney, helping her pay bills and manage her accounts. When she passed away, you assumed you'd simply continue handling things the same way you had been. Then you tried to deposit the insurance check. The bank clerk looked at the check, looked at your power of attorney paperwork, and shook her head. "I'm sorry, but we can't accept this. You'll need to go through the probate court first." Suddenly, you're...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/frozen-accounts-court-delays-and-grief-what-happens-in-the-probate-process</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697c95ee2c80129225d62dde</guid><pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:47:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_349c461480314d62b1bf837df3682cb7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wills vs. Trusts: How to Choose the Right Tool to Protect the People You Love]]></title><description><![CDATA[When you begin thinking about estate planning, one of the first questions you might ask is whether you need a will, a trust, or both. You may have heard conflicting information from friends, social media, or TV experts, which can make the decision feel confusing. And while both wills and trusts can play an important role in your estate plan, the real question is not which document you should choose, but how to create a plan that actually works when your loved ones need it to. In this article,...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/wills-vs-trusts-how-to-choose-the-right-tool-to-protect-the-people-you-love</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6966351b70ceea9683b6a644</guid><pubDate>Sun, 18 Jan 2026 21:36:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_d6c7d836740e413094974510624dab90~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Happens to All Your Stuff When You Die? (And Why Your Family Is Dreading It)]]></title><description><![CDATA[You open the door to your parents' home for the first time since the funeral. Closets stuffed with decades of clothes. Cabinets filled with china no one uses. A garage packed with tools, holiday decorations, and boxes labeled "miscellaneous." Drawers overflowing with papers, keepsakes, and items whose significance you'll never understand. The task ahead feels impossible. This scenario plays out in homes across America every day. With an estimated $90 trillion in assets transferring from Baby...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/what-happens-to-all-your-stuff-when-you-die-and-why-your-family-is-dreading-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6964f950cca849701e9184da</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:47:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_8105d92ed21e424f8bb3856e63e35012~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Your Family Needs a Mission Statement ]]></title><description><![CDATA[You probably know you “should” have a will or a trust, but have you ever talked with your family about why your money exists in the first place? A simple family mission statement, combined with a comprehensive estate plan can dramatically increase the odds that your wealth and your relationships stay intact for generations. You spend a lifetime working, saving, and building a life for the people you love. Yet research shows that an estimated 70% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/why-your-family-needs-a-mission-statement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6953be2bbb2d984cdd7b0319</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 20:22:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_91b483b582a14863a5b00dca7a015c9a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Got Retirement Savings? Must Read...]]></title><description><![CDATA[The SECURE Act 2.0 brought some of the biggest changes to retirement planning in decades. While most people think it only affects their retirement accounts or may not even know about these changes at all, the SECURE Act 2.0  directly impacts how your loved ones will access your retirement accounts after your death and how much they’ll pay in taxes, which could take a big bite out of their inheritance if not reconsidered now. In this article, you'll learn what the law changed, how these...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/got-retirement-savings-must-read</link><guid isPermaLink="false">694e7eec7e3f33384f85bbbc</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:05:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_3b4e4e0d6bf54eebbe689c1a5bf8365e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The White Elephant Gift Nobody Wants: Family Conflict]]></title><description><![CDATA[We've all been there. The holiday White Elephant gift exchange starts out fun and lighthearted. But then Uncle Jim steals the massage gun he bought in hopes of winning it for himself. The married couples start tag-teaming to keep the best gifts between them. Cousin Sarah gets stuck with the singing fish. Someone's definitely holding a grudge about that coffee mug from three swaps ago. Now imagine that same dynamic, except instead of gag gifts, it's Dad's classic car, Mom's jewelry, or the...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/the-white-elephant-gift-nobody-wants-family-conflict</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69483a5954f477c1ea142c1e</guid><pubDate>Sun, 21 Dec 2025 18:43:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_93560b80213a4a229d35ed853b2b355a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Accidental Death at 39: Here’s What You Need to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[Michael Duarte  had everything to live for. At 39, the popular food influencer was building his brand, sharing recipes with millions of followers, and raising his 6-year-old daughter Oakley with his wife Jessica. His content brought joy to countless people who watched his sizzling barbecue videos and creative flavor combinations. Then, on November 8, 2025, everything changed. Duarte died during what should have been an ordinary trip to Texas. His death was sudden, unexpected, and left his...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/accidental-death-at-39-here-s-what-you-need-to-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6940015b33c5123904e8efbe</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:57:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_979c16370afe4668a52b9d70666253ed~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Talk to Your Loved Ones About Death, Money, and Estate Planning at the Holidays]]></title><description><![CDATA[As the holidays approach, families gather to share food, laughter, and stories. But amid the joy, there is often an unspoken truth: many families avoid the conversations that matter most. What will happen when you are gone? How will your loved ones be cared for? What legacy will you leave behind? This season offers a rare opportunity to bring love, not fear, into these important conversations. In this article, you will learn how to shift your mindset about death and money, how to open...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/how-to-talk-to-your-loved-ones-about-death-money-and-estate-planning-at-the-holidays</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69231fed9745b3c9f14067b7</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Nov 2025 15:22:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_4948cc4f73c749e7953e2c1d8aedc0e7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why You Don’t Want an Initial Consultation, But a Life &#38; Legacy Planning® Session Instead ]]></title><description><![CDATA[A typical initial consultation with an estate planning lawyer may look like this: you meet, you answer questions about your family and assets, and the lawyer tells you what documents you need - typically a will, trust, health care directive, and power of attorney - and what they will cost. This is a recipe for disaster because this means that the lawyer you are considering hiring is likely not versed in helping you make well-counseled decisions that you fully understand, and does not have a...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/why-you-don-t-want-an-initial-consultation-but-a-life-legacy-planning-session-instead</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f8be39c9a84e796d1197f1</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:24:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_c6c9463b6ab84a59904f7679b5e3b657~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Comprehensive Guide to Disaster Preparedness]]></title><description><![CDATA[In today's world, where natural disasters and unforeseen events can disrupt our lives at a moment's notice, preparedness is no longer a...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/a-comprehensive-guide-to-disaster-preparedness</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b594c3fcffb11462e10213</guid><pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:30:06 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Hidden Truth About Settling a Loved One’s Estate]]></title><description><![CDATA[Being named as an executor might seem like an honor, but many people don't realize the enormous responsibility and potential headaches...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/the-hidden-truth-about-settling-a-loved-one-s-estate</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b58eecfc7bbf17589a737b</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 11:30:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_5150c12e82e5422db24fd3f685f83784~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Estate Planning Meets FAFSA: Smart Strategies for Asset Ownership]]></title><description><![CDATA[The 2025-26 FAFSA introduces sweeping changes that revolutionize how families apply for college financial aid. While these updates...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/estate-planning-meets-fafsa-smart-strategies-for-asset-ownership</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b584c81d66bce9aaa0ef25</guid><pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:31:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_4361c3bd2c7d415e87feb06dedadbef1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[4 Estate Planning Myths That Put Your Loved Ones at Risk]]></title><description><![CDATA[Recent surveys reveal a troubling trend: only 32% of Americans have a will, down 6% from 2023. This decline points to four dangerous...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/4-estate-planning-myths-that-put-your-loved-ones-at-risk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b579381d66bce9aaa0cff8</guid><pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 10:56:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_5484dae2faa444d496ae11ffe5872666~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Fame Can't Fix Family: What Hulk Hogan's Estate Teaches Us About Failed Planning]]></title><description><![CDATA[When wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died at age 71, the world lost an icon. But behind the headlines about his estimated $25 million estate...]]></description><link>https://www.badgetobarlegal.com/post/when-fame-can-t-fix-family-what-hulk-hogan-s-estate-teaches-us-about-failed-planning</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a6404ae258c875dfd5e886</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:41:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7dca38_543213209e964730aa94bb49ed46f9b7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jaime Tetreault</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>