Generation to Generation

I have lost count of all the women in my life reading “Strangers – A Memoir of Marriage” by Belle Burden. Burden’s story of the arc, from beginning to end, of her marriage to “James” is heartbreaking, cautionary, and triumphant all at the same time. I picked it up because my book club selected it; most others have been motivated by friends or BookTok influencers who say it’s a must-read for anyone who is married or intending to marry. This word-of-mouth endorsement can be credited to Burden’s willingness to pinpoint where she could have protected herself better – not emotionally, but legally and financially – from the possibility that her marriage to James might end.

Now that sunshine and blue skies are upon us, people are opening their summer homes for the season. Happy memories of family vacations and gatherings often motivate parents to seek out ways to preserve their second home for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Whether you’ve got a compound on the Cape or a cabin on Winnipesaukee, it’s an appropriate time to think about how these properties currently fit into your estate plan. It’s also crucial to consider how such decisions will affect those who love and use these properties now and might want to continue doing so after you’ve passed away.