Why A Trust?
WHY A TRUST?
A Trust is a significant and flexible estate planning tool which meets a wide variety of estate planning goals.
I like to think of a Trust as a bucket which holds things of value: your assets, bank accounts, investment accounts and your tangible personal property, for example. When you create the...
Planning for Disabled Adult Children
Planning For Disabled Adult Children
Adult children with disabilities often depend on their parents for vital support. When these parents can no longer care for their children due to their own disability or death, the responsibility will fall on siblings, other family members, and the community. Planning by parents can make all the...
Who Gets What?
Who Gets What?
Sometimes the least valuable assets in your estate cause the most division among family members after your death. Who should have grandma’s dining room table? Which daughter gets Mom’s diamond engagement ring? How should family photos be distributed?
Dividing heirlooms can be a...
Power of Attorney
Last month, we discussed the Health Care Proxy and Living Will and the importance of appointing someone to speak for you when you cannot voice your own health care wishes due to mental incapacity. Equally important, but sometimes overlooked is the need to appoint someone to handle your business and legal affairs...
Health Care Directives
No matter what your personal opinion was about the Terri Schiavo case, there is one clear lesson to be learned: you must take steps to ensure that your health care wishes will be honored. Ms. Schiavo did not have a living will. The lack of this important document left the question of her desire...
Planning
Senior Moment
For many people, estate and long-term care planning is a daunting task. It forces us to confront head-on the unpleasant possibility of disability and the absolute certainty of death.
Many people delay planning until a loved one’s death or until the family’s life savings are threatened because of...