I recently had the privilege of visiting with Bernard and Glenda, and they graciously agreed to let me share the story of their awesome summer adventure. Here at Thompson Law, PLLC., we love to hear about clients who are really living life! The entire family traveled from all over the country (a group of 18) to spend the week enjoying the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Bernard and Glenda’s grandchildren had the chance to play with their cousins, aunts, and uncles. The family spent their days … [Read more...] about Living Your Legacy Now
Travis Benson becomes certified Farm Succession Coordinator
Thompson Law, PLLC Attorney Travis Benson is now a certified Farm Succession Coordinator! He completed his certification in the fall of 2017 through the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN). Following the farm crisis, IFTN was founded to promote and provide support to farmers and their families on strategic business planning, management, and succession planning. IFTN has devoted 25 years to supporting and promoting programs that help farming families plan for the transfer of their … [Read more...] about Travis Benson becomes certified Farm Succession Coordinator
The Motivator
I am always interested in learning why people are coming in to take a closer look at their estate plan. Many people think "estate planning" (i.e., creation of a will, trust or other strategies to transfer assets at death) is about avoiding court processes when somebody dies or making sure to utilize certain federal estate tax exemptions. But those reasons are typically not The Motivator. Sometimes, people will be able to identify The Motivator when I initially ask why they came to my office. … [Read more...] about The Motivator
Tackling the “What If” Questions Now Avoids Living with the “If Only” Regrets Later
One of our clients, we’ll just call him Jerry, was in the other day to sign his estate planning documents. He’s a good-looking guy in his early 40s, healthy, and in a great, successful family farming business. Paperwork is not his thing. He would much rather be on the tractor than in an attorney’s office. He has a lot of other things he could be doing. Things he would enjoy more. He mentioned to one of our associates, with a big smile of satisfaction on his face (as he was done signing … [Read more...] about Tackling the “What If” Questions Now Avoids Living with the “If Only” Regrets Later
History is Worth Repeating
I met with an amazing gentleman recently. This man, in his eighties, recalled walking to school with a rifle in hopes of catching a rabbit for dinner. On his luckiest of days, he would see a skunk. Skunk pelts could be sold for $5, which was a lot of money in those days. He finished his story this way: “No one told us we were poor. It never affected us because we didn’t know. We made the best of it, and we have been so blessed.” What a valuable perspective! It was so refreshing to hear … [Read more...] about History is Worth Repeating
Cat Got Your Tongue?
So many people wonder – how do I bring up the importance of estate planning with my folks? The younger generation often feels torn because they have heard nightmare after nightmare of what has happened to friends or other families when a parent passes away. They hear stories of siblings no longer talking because parents either did not have an estate plan or had a plan that lacked clarity or was impractical to administer after their death. Others have heard stories of families forced to sell … [Read more...] about Cat Got Your Tongue?
Your Legacy
At Thompson Law, PLLC., we focus on legacy, but a legacy does not just involve a single person. A legacy requires others to carry it on through the generations. It is not just one person’s values, it is the shared values of a group, of a family. Family Days At Thompson Law, PLLC., legacy (and every meaning that the word carries with it) is so important to us, which is why we have “Family Days.” This can be personalized in a variety of ways. How each Family Day proceeds and how I … [Read more...] about Your Legacy
How do you spend your time?
Where I spend my time and who I spend it with are so important to me. Before I got cancer I would have said the same thing, but for different reasons. Years ago, circumstances were different and my time was spent differently. My children were younger, my business was young and developing, and there were so many amazing families that needed to design their legacy that I had yet to meet. Now, I have survived cancer and am in remission. There are still demands on my schedule, but they are … [Read more...] about How do you spend your time?
2 Minutes With Thompson Law: Lucky
We hope you are feeling especially lucky this St. Patrick's Day! Click the link below to watch a special St. Patrick's Day message from Carolyn A. Thompson. … [Read more...] about 2 Minutes With Thompson Law: Lucky
Standard Form Contracts: Don’t End Up Like Sofia Vergara!
I am sure many of you read the title and think I am crazy, right? I mean Sofia Vegara (ABC’s Modern Family) is gorgeous, intelligent, a savvy business woman, and has a great sense of humor. So who wouldn’t want to end up in Sofia’s shoes? Well recently, Sofia has been going through a custody battle for her embryos with her ex-fiancé. Yes, you read that correctly. A custody battle for her embryos. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has opened a new legal battlefield and if you are not … [Read more...] about Standard Form Contracts: Don’t End Up Like Sofia Vergara!


