The COVID-19 pandemic is sparking an increase in estate planning. People are creating their wills, medical directives, and powers of attorney through one of the many websites that provide legal services because it’s convenient less expensive. Those websites will not solve your problems if you have a unique situation. Say, children from an earlier marriage…Read More
Our amount of time on this earth is unpredictable. As the average life expectancy continues to rise, most Americans feel like they have all the time in the world before they need to focus on something as unsettling as their own death. In some minds, thinking about death equates to thinking about estate planning. But,…Read More
Do you have a will? How about a power of attorney or advance medical directive? If you have a retirement account, own your own home, or have children, you need an estate plan. If you have what you believe to be minimal assets, an estate plan is still in your best interests. Anyone can become…Read More
If you are named as an executor for someone’s will you should consider it an honor. That person believes that you have the ability to settle debts, distribute assets and complete all the tasks necessary to close out their estate. Even though you are not required to accept this position, most executors feel compelled to…Read More
Have you started on your resolutions for 2021? Let’s see, get to the gym, control your spending, what else? How about create and organize your estate plan? The idea seems daunting, but estate planning is the best gift that you can give both to yourself and your family. Additionally, we all find ourselves with more time…Read More
At some point in our parent’s lives, most adult children will need to manage their parent’s finances. Recognizing this responsibility is necessary is the easiest part of the undertaking, the rest should be handled with empathy, patience and persistence. Americans are living longer. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…Read More
The power of attorney selection is a large part of the estate planning process. In addition to a will and medical directive, among other documents, the durable power of attorney is an important part of any estate planning process. It allows someone else to be in charge of your finances. Needless to say, whoever you choose…Read More
While most estate planning tends to focus on a person’s property, a comprehensive plan will include planning if you become disabled or incapacitated as a result of an accident, injury, disease or illness. Good incapacity planning will include the following “tools”: Revocable Living Trust. While this type of trust will hold your assets, a properly…Read More
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care allows you to name someone else, usually a family member, to make decisions about your medical care in case you are unable to make those decisions yourself. It gives that person instructions about the kinds of medical treatment you want and don’t want. Durable Power of Attorneys are important…Read More
A basic tool in any person’s estate planning is the will, which usually addresses not only your property and assets but also dictates who will care for minor children if both parents pass away. Wills aren’t really the best and final option for every estate, especially given that probate must occur before any assets are…Read More
