Inheritance distributions in blended families can be inequitable resulting in hurt feelings and possibly lengthy court battles. While you cannot legislate from the grave, you can carefully prepare your estate plan, distinctly accounting for biological and stepchildren to minimize the…
A trust is a great mechanism for handling estate business and it can be beneficial to anyone with any number of assets. You want to keep your affairs private and stay out of probate court? Maybe you have stepchildren? You…
A letter of intent (LOI), also referred to as a letter of instruction, communicates important information to your loved ones that may not be covered in the general estate planning documents. Your LOI is a valuable piece in your estate…
The aging experience is changing because of the new inter-generational community living models. Dubbed “new urbanism” it is the belief that a living environment with high standards can have a positive effect on the quality of life, local economy, and…
Kevin was watching his wife Winnie in her nursing home room with tears in his eyes. The medical staff just finished inserting a feeding tube into Winnie – an act Kevin knew she didn’t want. Unfortunately, Winnie couldn’t express her…
In a comprehensive estate plan, it is crucial to include a power of attorney assigning who will be your trusted agent to manage your affairs. These legal documents can grant broad authority to one or more power of attorney agents…
The need for estate planning becomes more and more critical as we get older. Many people avoid estate planning because they do not want to think about the end of life, failing health, or disability. Others believe that an estate…
This article will help you decide if a trust fits your particular circumstances. For example, maybe you have a disabled child and you want a trust to permit that child to inherit without losing government benefits. Maybe your own or…
Aging in America is becoming increasingly expensive. The financial toll for millions of the elderly and those families who do their best to care for and support them. Long-term care facilities and retirement communities cost staggering amounts of money, as…
Incidents of what attorneys deem "undue influence" on the elderly constitute elder abuse. It disrupts the older persons' impulse to provide for loved ones and instead leaves assets to the manipulator. Often, family members do not find out about a…