Heircraft Planning

Losing a parent is disorienting. The world keeps moving, and decisions start arriving before you feel ready to make them.

Most families have never settled an estate before. There is no reason you should already know how probate works in Alabama, which documents to gather, or who is responsible for what.

Our newest blog post walks through it one step at a time: what actually needs to happen in the first few days, what can wait, and how the process unfolds from there. We also put together a free phase-by-phase guide for families navigating this, available to read online or download.

Read the full blog: https://heircraftplanning.com/what-to-do-when-a-parent-dies-in-alabama/

If estate planning has been on your list for a while, this is a good opportunity to get some real answers.

Heircraft Planning is hosting two free seminars in Mobile this month. Attorney Mark Eiland covers how the system works in Alabama, what your family faces without a plan, and what decisions actually need to be made. A meal is included at both sessions.

Thursday, June 18 | 12:00 PM
Innovation Portal | 358 St. Louis Street | Light lunch provided

Tuesday, June 23 | 5:30 PM
Jerusalem Café | 5817 Old Shell Rd | Light dinner provided

Both sessions are free. Space is limited.
Register at https://heircraftplanning.com/upcoming-events/ or call (251) 398-0081.

If you are someone who likes to feel prepared before an important meeting, this one is for you.

Most people do not realize how much of a first estate planning meeting can be shaped by what you think through beforehand. Things like who you want making decisions if you cannot make them yourself, how your assets are titled, whether your beneficiary designations are current, and which questions you actually want answered. Having that picture in mind before you sit down makes the conversation more focused and a lot more useful.

Our latest blog walks through exactly what to gather, what to consider, and who to think about for key roles before your first meeting with an estate planning attorney. If you like going in prepared, this is a good place to start.

Read the full post: https://heircraftplanning.com/prepare-for-estate-planning-meeting/

The dads who plan ahead are not thinking about themselves. They are thinking about everyone who depends on them.

An estate plan is how you make sure the right people have authority, the right decisions are already made, and your family is not left navigating the hard stuff alone.

With Father's Day coming up, it is worth a conversation.

We offer free resources to help families understand how the system works. When you are ready to take the next step, we are here.

https://heircraftplanning.com/
(251) 398-0081

If you've been meaning to get your estate plan in order, this is a good place to start.

Heircraft Planning is hosting two free seminars in Mobile this June.

Attorney Mark Eiland walks through how the system actually works, what happens when there is no plan, and what decisions matter most for your family.

Thursday, June 18 | 12:00 PM | Innovation Portal | 358 St. Louis Street | Light lunch provided

Tuesday, June 23 | 5:30 PM | Jerusalem Café | 5817 Old Shell Rd | Light dinner provided

Both sessions are free. Space is limited.

Register at https://heircraftplanning.com/upcoming-events/ or call (251) 398-0081.

Most people have never heard of the document that controls funeral and burial decisions after death in Alabama.

It is not a will. It is a sworn affidavit, and without one, state law decides who is in charge and what happens when family members disagree.

We broke down how it works and why it matters. Read the full article: https://heircraftplanning.com/funeral-arrangements-alabama-who-decides/

"Do I need a will or a trust?" It's one of the most common questions families have when they start thinking about estate planning, and the answer is not the same for everyone.

A will and a trust serve different purposes. One goes through probate. One can distribute assets privately, without court involvement. The right choice depends on your family, your goals, and how much control you want over what happens next.

Trusts are not just for the wealthy. Families with a home, minor children, or blended family situations often find that trust planning fits their goals better. Sometimes a will is exactly what is needed.

We have a few ways to help you think it through. Download our free guide, The Estate Planning Book for Alabama Families, join us at an upcoming seminar, or schedule a consultation with Mark to talk through your specific situation.

Read the full article here: https://heircraftplanning.com/do-i-need-a-will-or-a-trust/

The Final Countdown is playing. You know what to do.

Heircraft Planning is a finalist in the 2026 Nappies Awards for Estate Planning, and voting closes May 31.

The Nappies are Lagniappe's readers choice awards, and being a finalist in this category means a lot to us. This recognition belongs to the Mobile community as much as it does to us.

If our seminars, content, or just the work we do to make this process feel a little less overwhelming has meant something to you or someone you know, we would love your vote.

You can vote daily at https://www.votenappies.com/
Find us under Professional Services and Retail.

Let's finish strong, Mobile.

Cast Your Vote: https://www.votenappies.com/

If you have been putting off estate planning because it feels complicated or overwhelming, this is worth an hour of your time.

Heircraft Planning is hosting two free seminars in Mobile this June. Attorney Mark Eiland walks through how the system actually works, what happens when there is no plan, and what decisions matter most for your family. And in our experience, this kind of information is a lot easier to digest over a good meal. Both sessions include one.

Thursday, June 18 | 12:00 PM Innovation Portal | 358 St. Louis Street - Light lunch provided

Tuesday, June 23 | 5:30 PM Jerusalem Café | 5817 Old Shell Rd - Light dinner provided

Both sessions are free. Space is limited at each location.

Register at https://heircraftplanning.com/upcoming-events/ or call (251) 398-0081.

Most people feel a quiet sense of relief once their estate planning documents are signed. That feeling makes sense. Getting a plan in place is a real step forward.

The problem is that signing the documents is not the same as having a plan that actually works.

In Alabama and Florida, some of the most common estate planning mistakes have nothing to do with the quality of the original documents. They happen when life changes and the plan does not. A fiduciary who can no longer serve. A beneficiary designation that was never updated after a divorce. A trust that was drafted but never funded.

We put together a list of 10 mistakes that can quietly undermine an estate plan, even a well-intentioned one. If you have a plan in place, this one is worth reading.

Full article at https://heircraftplanning.com/10-estate-planning-mistakes-that-can-undermine-your-plan-in-alabama-and-florida/