Attorney John F. Koenig - Anchor Law, Life & Legacy Planning, LLC

In an aging society, you might find yourself facing difficult end-of-life decisions for your loved ones sooner than you expect. And when you do, you’ll realize that the journey is rarely straightforward. Read more… 2025.05.30 Navigating End-of-Life Care: Lessons from a Daughter's Tragic Experience In an aging society, you might find yourself facing difficult end-of-life decisions for your loved ones sooner than you expect. And when you do, you’ll realize the journey through end-of-life care is rarely straightforward. A recent and heartbreaking story published by Maggie Schneider Huston in Newsweek illustrates this fact. In this article, we’ll highlight key insights from Maggie's experience and offer practical advice for your situation.  First, know that an advance directive (also called a Health Care Power of Attorney) is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical care in the event you cannot make decisions for yourself. In most states, it also gives author...

Tony Hsieh's cautionary tale shows why proper estate planning with regular reviews is critical, regardless of your wealth or age. Read more... 2025.05.23 The Missing Will Mystery: How Zappos CEO’s Estate Chaos Could Have Been Avoided Imagine this: You've built a business empire worth hundreds of millions of dollars, transformed a city's downtown area, and touched countless lives with your vision and generosity. Then, unexpectedly, you pass away—and nearly five years later, a will you may have created suddenly appears. Meanwhile, your family has been battling creditors, former associates, and mounting legal fees in a probate nightmare that has cost millions and years to manage. This isn't the plot of a legal thriller—it's the real-life saga of Tony Hsieh, the former Zappos CEO who died in November 2020 at age 46. After years of his estate being managed under the assumption he died without a will, a document dated March 2015 mysteriously surfaced in February ...

  Memorial Day offers us more than a time for barbecues and retail sales—it's an opportunity to reflect on legacy and mortality. Read more... 2025.05.16 Beyond Remembrance: How Memorial Day Can Inspire Leaving Your Own Legacy  Memorial Day isn’t just about barbeques or pool parties. It’s a day to collectively pause and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and security.  As flags wave at half-staff and solemn ceremonies unfold across the country, this day of remembrance naturally guides our thoughts toward our own mortality and the legacies we desire to leave behind.  Memorial Day offers us a meaningful opportunity to consider how estate planning serves as more than just a legal formality—it's a heartfelt expression of our deepest values, a bridge connecting past, present, and future generations, and a promise to not leave a mess for the people you love. The Deeper Meaning of Estate Planning Life & Legacy Plan...

  Many financial advisors, accountants, and even other lawyers will tell you that you don’t need an estate plan and that naming beneficiaries on your accounts is enough. But they’re not telling you about the risks you may unknowingly take with your family's financial future. Read more… 2025.05.09 How Beneficiary Designations Put Your Family at Risk You've worked hard to build your assets and secure your family's future. Like many responsible adults, you've named beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and maybe even your banking and investment accounts. It feels good to know you've put something in place for your loved ones.  But here's the truth that many financial advisors, CPA’s, and even other lawyers won’t tell you: relying solely on beneficiary forms for your estate plan can lead to unintended consequences and potential financial disasters for your loved ones . While beneficiary designations serve a purpose, they're ...

  This Mother's Day, consider a gift that truly lasts forever. Estate planning isn't just about legal documents—it's one of the most profound expressions of maternal love, allowing parents to extend their care, wisdom, and protection long after they're gone. Read more... 2025.05.05 A Mother's Legacy: Estate Planning as Your Greatest Expression of Love When we think about Mother's Day, we often picture breakfast in bed, handmade cards, and bouquets of fresh flowers. But what if there was a way for mom to express her love and care that extends far beyond their lifetime? This is where thoughtful estate planning enters the picture—not as a cold legal process, but as one of the most profound expressions of motherly love possible. How, you may ask? Let’s dive in and find out. A Mother's Care Expressed Through Legal Planning Think about how a mother typically plans her day—ensuring lunches are packed, coordinating activities, helping with homework, and ke...