Most states, including North Carolina, have laws in place that establish what your Estate Plan will be. Those Laws may be the opposite of what you actually want. In North Carolina under those laws, in a family with a husband and wife with children, in most scenarios, two thirds (2/3) of the parent’s estate, when... [Read More]
Category: Living Trust
Summer Travel and Healthcare Authority
Summer is when many Americans are traveling out-of-state. They are on vacation to new places or to visit with loved ones or family. As we cross state lines one concern is that our Healthcare Power of Attorney a/k/a Healthcare Proxy might not be accepted in another state. For example if you have a Healthcare Power... [Read More]
We Live the Life We Choose
“The only thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it and the faith to believe it is possible.” Rich DeVos. “We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only... [Read More]
Steve’s Class Well Received
The reviews on Steve’s North Carolina Department of Insurance, Continuing Education Class on Wednesday morning, May 29th on “The 10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes Single People Make” were all evaluated at the highest level of “Excellent”. Some of the comments were: “Good refresher!” “Received a much better understanding of Trusts and what to plan for.”... [Read More]
Can I Get Access To My Sick Mom’s Medical Information?
Under the Healthcare Privacy Laws, commonly known as HIPPA, medical providers are very limited in what information they may give out regarding a patient. If you do not have a Healthcare Power that includes HIPPA language, or a Healthcare Designation specific as to the HIPPA Laws, you may not get access to information regarding your... [Read More]
What About Mental Disability?
It seems that mental incapacity is on the rise among seniors. The Gerontologist tell us that Alzheimer’s Disease is on the rise. Part of that may be that we are living longer and part of that may be environmental. We should Estate Plan for Mental Disability as we may be unfortunate enough that we get... [Read More]
“Accounting Today” 10 Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes
Accounting today listed as the 10 Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes the following: 1. Procrastination. Failing to do any Estate Planning thinking there is always “tomorrow.” Maybe not! 2. Do it yourself mentality. Thinking you can perform complicated legal work with online forms which doom you to failure. 3. Failing to think of all the angles... [Read More]
Boston Bombers and the Unknown
Those injured at the finish line of The Boston Marathon last week never anticipated that two bombs would explode killing three and injuring and maiming another 200 people. A physician from Sylva, North Carolina, just west of Asheville, was at the finish line with his wife cheering on a friend. After the explosions, the first... [Read More]
The Cuban Missile Crisis and North Korea
We were closer to the nuclear war in the 1960’s than we ever imagined. My Dad was a very good business man, well traveled, a great story teller and one who got others to share their stories. One of the stories my Father had told to him was received from a group of gentlemen after... [Read More]
North Korea, Kidnapping and Estate Planning
As North Korea declares a state of war on the United States and South Korea, and a leading news story shows by security camera a couple being kidnapped in broad daylight in Manhattan Sunday, we think about the “Worse Case Scenario”. We want to make sure that we have planned in advance in case we... [Read More]