For Delaware trustees and trust beneficiaries, a certification of trust can provide a practical balance between demonstrating authority and protecting privacy. It allows a trustee to provide relevant information to a bank, financial institution, title company, purchaser, or other party without automatically disclosing the trust’s private distribution provisions.

Because the certification must accurately reflect the trust as it currently exists, trustees should make sure it is consistent with the trust agreement and any subsequent amendments.

One of the biggest misconceptions in estate planning is that once your children inherit your assets, your planning is complete.

In reality, how your children inherit may be just as important as what they inherit.

Parents often ask us:

• What happens if my child gets divorced after I die?

• Can creditors take my child's inheritance?

• Can I make sure the inheritance stays in my bloodline?

For families in Delaware and Pennsylvania, the answer is often yes—but only if your estate plan is designed with asset protection in mind.

Retirement accounts are often among the most valuable assets people own. Whether you've spent decades contributing to a traditional IRA or participating in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, it's important to understand the rules governing Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

Many people assume they can leave their retirement savings untouched for as long as they like. However, federal law generally requires account owners to begin taking withdrawals from certain retirement accounts once they reach a specified age.

If you're planning for retirement—or reviewing your estate plan—understanding RMDs can help you avoid unnecessary penalties and ensure your estate planning strategy aligns with your long-term financial goals.

For many families, pets are more than animals—they're beloved members of the family. Yet one of the most overlooked aspects of estate planning is ensuring that a cherished pet will be cared for if its owner passes away or becomes incapacitated.

Many people assume that simply leaving money to a friend or family member with instructions to care for a pet is enough. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.

Fortunately, both Delaware and Pennsylvania recognize pet trusts, allowing pet owners to set aside funds specifically for the care of their animals after their death.

The Social Security Disability Disabled Adult Child (DAC) program provides monthly benefits to adults with disabilities based on a parent's work record instead of their own. This program helps people whose disabilities began before they turned 22 years old and who are unable to work because of a serious medical condition. Even though the name says "child," the person applying is usually an adult. The word "child" simply means they qualify through a parent's Social Security earnings.

Delaware follows equitable distribution. Family Court first decides what property and debt are marital, values the marital estate, and then divides it in proportions the Court considers just under 13 Del. C. § 1513. An equal division is possible, but Delaware law does not require a 50/50 result in every case.

Delaware Family Court makes all custody decisions based on the best interests of the child—not what’s most convenient for parents. The court considers two types of custody:

Legal Custody (Decision-making): The right to make major decisions about education, healthcare, religion, and activities. Delaware courts prefer joint legal custody where both parents share decision-making.

Residency (Physical Custody): Where the child lives day-to-day. This can be primary (mostly with one parent) or shared (substantial time with both parents).

Whether Delaware will recognize a common law marriage depends on the laws of the state where the marriage was formed and the evidence available to prove it. These cases are often fact-intensive and require careful review of the parties' history and documentation.

If you believe you may have entered into a common law marriage outside Delaware and are considering divorce, speaking with an experienced Delaware family law attorney can help you understand your rights, evaluate your evidence, and determine the best path forward.

But there comes a time when accepting reality is part of being responsible. If health problems prevent someone from working, applying for disability benefits is not a sign of weakness. It is a way to protect both the worker and the worker's family.

Many people miss working. They miss the routine, the coworkers, and the feeling of finishing a tough job.

When a couple gets divorced, they often divide their property and assets. This can include things like money in bank accounts, retirement funds, real estate, or other valuable property. If you receive disability benefits, you may wonder whether getting property in a divorce could affect those benefits.

The answer depends on which disability program you receive.