The simplest, most effective way to prevent financial elder abuse begins with a well-drafted estate plan. The plan should include specific powers exercisable by the fiduciary, as the attorney-in-fact, or as successor trustee. A well-drafted…
A revocable living trust is designed to accomplish the following: 1) Avoid probate for all assets and property transferred to the Trust. 2) You as Trustee have total control over the assets of your Trust…
Probate is the legal process of estate administration if you die and have a will or die without a will or trust. The person named to act as the personal representative in the will handles…
Is it merely to document a client’s wishes? Or is it to counsel the client regarding those wishes and then craft a plan that best fits their situation? The Estate Planning attorney should explain the…
While we may not be able to protect ourselves from everything and every risk, we can prepare now for whatever might happen. Creating your estate plan now does protect you and your family when tragedy…
In addition to a will or trust, everyone should have these three basic documents, regardless of their wealth or health: • A power of attorney for your property and accounts. This will allow a person…
Having an estate plan insures your assets will be transferred to your preferred recipients at your death. It is also important to consider who should receive those assets if your preferred recipients are not living…
4. Will and Revocable Living Trust. A will is essential to name guardians if you have minor children and provide for how assets will be distributed. In the current environment, and perhaps for the future,…
3. Health Care Proxies and HIPAA Releases. A health care proxy, or medical power of attorney, is a document in which you name an agent to assist if your are unable to act for yourself….
2. Advance Directive. This is a document in which you express your healthcare wishes and includes your instructions for what medical treatment you desire to occur under different circumstances, including end of life instructions. One…
1. Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA). A DPOA is a legal document in which you name a person, called an agent, to handle your legal, tax, financial and other matters if you cannot do so….
We are living in difficult times. What estate planning documents should you have? It’s ever more important during these trying times that everyone have critical documents that meet their needs, and all existing estate planning…