news & Media
A collection of media and news articles featuring Laura Cowan, Esq., CPA showcasing her expertise in Estate Planning Law through interviews and editorial contributions.
Laura in the News
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The Funeral Costs No One Talks About
Regardless of whether you're factoring in a funeral in your estate planning or organizing one for a loved one who has recently died, here's what financial experts want you to know about funeral costs, and how to use a funeral to meaningfully honor someone even if you're on a tight budget.
3 Smart Money Moves for Retirees After Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
Retirees may need to adjust their financial plans in light of changes introduced by the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill (BBB). The new legislation brings one of the largest tax cuts in history for middle- and working-class Americans, according to the White House, among other provisions affecting retirement accounts, charitable giving and estate planning.
3 Tools the Wealthiest Americans Use To Safeguard Their Generational Wealth
When you imagine the wealthiest people you know — whether in real life or on the covers of magazines — you know that hard work or good luck (or a combination of both) likely played a role in building their fortunes.
Most Americans Get This Wrong About Medical Debt After Death—Don’t Be One of Them
Partners of recently deceased loved ones have nearly twice as much medical debt as other individuals, according to a 2024 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Thinking of Selling the Family Home? Here’s How To Make the Most of It—for You and Your Kids
As the baby boomer generation finally settles into retirement, many of them have children who already have or are planning to have families of their own. And there may not be a more valuable asset to leverage in support of the next generation—and the ones to come—than their homes.
What Does A Paralegal Do?
“You can’t grow without support," says Laura Cowan, estate planning attorney and founder of 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer. “Even if you start with just five hours a week, get someone helping you with admin, client comms, or document prep..."
Trump Tariff Threats Upset Estate Plans
"We're seeing, you know, people are closing their wallets," estate planning attorney Laura Cowan, founder of the 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer, said. "The headlines are so scary." When people hear "tariffs," they worry about the price of eggs or iPhones, not estate planning, Cowan said. That could be a costly mistake.
Try Estate Law For A Practice With Work-Life Balance, Says 'Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution' Author
A key part of not working too many hours is to hire appropriate assistance, even as a solo just starting out, Cowan says. “What I see a lot of is lawyers that spend too much time in the weeds of executing and doing all these different things that an admin could be doing and not spending enough time doing what the lawyer should be focusing on,” Cowan says.
Work/Life Balance Doesn’t Have To Be A Myth For Lawyers
On the latest episode of the Jabot Podcast, I welcome attorney Laura Cowan (Opens in a new window), author of “Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution.” (Opens in a new window)Discover why Laura transitioned from CPA to law, her journey of starting an estate planning firm, and the insights from her lifestyle-focused law practice.
Work/Life Balance Doesn't Have To Be A Myth For Lawyers with Laura Cowan - Episode 204
On the latest episode of the Jabot Podcast, host Kathryn Rubino welcomes attorney Laura Cowan, author of “Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution.” Discover why Laura transitioned from CPA to law, her journey of starting an estate planning firm, and the insights from her lifestyle-focused law practice. Laura shares invaluable tips on balancing career success with personal well-being.
Estate Planning Nightmares .....And How to Avoid Them: Celebrity Estates Gone Wrong and the Rise of the Lifestyle Lawyer with Laura Cowan
What do Gene Hackman and Jimmy Buffett have in common—aside from legendary careers? Sadly, both left behind estates that are reportedly causing legal headaches for their families. In this powerful episode of Estate Planning Nightmares… and How to Avoid Them, Jon Braddock sits down with returning guest Laura Cowan, Esq., CPA—an award-winning estate planning attorney, entrepreneur, and author of the Amazon bestseller Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution.
5 Financial Planning Concerns That Are Totally Unique To Parents
Financial planning looks different for people at different stages of life and in different situations. For parents, every money decision must consider both their own needs and the current and future concerns of their children.
How to Marie Kondo Your Life Before You Die
There’s such comfort in having tangible things in your life. Family photos, mementos from travels, dog-eared books—these items turn a house into a home. But what happens to the ornament collection and deluxe Scrabble set after you die? Your kids, grandkids, nieces, and friends have to sort through it. Unless you do it yourself, so they don’t have to.
Tax-Smart Giving: How To Gift $1M Without The IRS Calling
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has its hand out for tax dollars associated with your generosity, but there are tax-smart loopholes. In fact, the IRS will even let you give away $1 million without sending you a bill.
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Attorney At Law Magazine Women In Law Special Issue 2025
There are still very real, ongoing challenges for women in the practice of law, especially around flexibility, visibility, and value. Many women step away from the law to raise children or care for family, and when they return, they're often penalized for...
6 States Still Impose An Inheritance Tax On Real Estate-But 1 Of Them Wants Out Of The Game
“The inheritance tax is different,” explains Laura Cowan, an estate planning attorney and founder of 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer. “It’s just on the people who inherit, and it’s just in a handful of states.”
The Courage To Scale Back: Finding More Satisfaction With Less Work
In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, has a conversation with Laura Cowan, founder of 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer (2HLL) and author of the newly released book "Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution." Laura shares her fascinating journey from working as a CPA at Ernst & Young and hedge funds to making a bold career change at age 35 to attend law school.
How To Revolutionize Your Legal Career To Achieve Work-Life Balance
During the pandemic, Laura channeled her financial stress into a solution and retooled and revamped every part of her estate planning law practice into a virtual business model, which was extremely successful.
How Lawyers Can Create A Profitable Virtual Law Firm And A Lifestyle
In a legal world where billable hours often translate to burnout, Laura Cowan, Esq., CPA, has flipped the script with a refreshing approach that’s making waves across a profession that is increasingly focused on the elusive ‘work life balance’ holy grail.
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Most Americans Don't Have A Will. Here's Why You Should.
Fewer Americans have a will in 2025 compared to previous years, according to survey data from Caring. Estate planning attorney Laura Cowan sits down with Brad Smith on Wealth to discuss the benefits of making a will. Cowan also highlights some common estate planning mistakes and how to avoid them.
5 Reasons You Shouldn't Use AI To Create An Estate Plan
Estate planning is more complicated than most people realize, and the complications are not always tied to wealth,” said Laura Cowan, estate planning attorney and founder of 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer. “AI tools can only respond to what you input, but they don’t know what you didn’t say.”
Six Reasons To Disinherit Someone And How to Do It
What if you no longer want to include someone in your will? Well, how you choose to divide your estate is a personal decision and entirely up to you. There may come a time when you need to update and change the beneficiaries in your will because you no longer want to leave them a bequest or have them inherit anything from your estate.
Gene Hackman And Wife Betsy's Remains Face New Complications After Their Shock Deaths
Laura Cowan, an award-winning estate planning attorney and the founder of the 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer, told DailyMail.com the decision on what happens to the couple's remains could get tied up in red tape. 'If his children wanted his remains handled in California, and he left no legally binding burial or cremation instructions, what happens next depends on a combination of state laws, family dynamic and logistics,' Cowan said.
Gene Hackman's Huge Mistake Before His Shock Death As Major Battle Over His $80 MILLION Estate Looms
Gene Hackman's death last month has opened up the potential for a major battle over his $80 million fortune. The late actor, who police believe died around February 18 at age 95, had a living trust at the time of his death — but all of the people he listed as successor trustees were already dead before his own passing.
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