Surgery reminds us to review our health care designations and documents As we get older it is likely that each of us will have a health situation of some kind – surgery or temporary hospitalization. Whether major or minor, these events serve as physical reminders to review our estate plans and our health care designations... [Read More]
Category: Living Wills
I Don’t Want To Be A Burden
“I don’t want to be a burden” is a phrase I often hear from my Estate Planning clients. They don’t want to be a burden to their family or loved ones. They have seen how other seniors, whether they are friends or family, have been burdens to other family members who have taken on the... [Read More]
More Storms of Life
We in North and South Carolina just went through heavy Storms, including heavy rains, over the past several days. Here in Western North Carolina we have been having rain off and on for more than ten (10) days. That was followed by very heavy rain over this past weekend. This rain has led to rivers... [Read More]
Super Charging an Inheritance
One can protect an inheritance they leave to a loved one by leaving that share of the inheritance in a Protective Trust. That gives the adult who inherits the money more protection to keep them from losing that inheritance by squandering it, losing it in a divorce, or losing it in a car wreck lawsuit.... [Read More]
What We Really Fear in Our Estate Plan
Many clients come into the office concerned more about the delay, costs and publicity of Probate Court, or potential tax issues. But as they start to open up about their real concerns about leaving inheritance, the concerns are about what if they become mentally disabled? What if their spouse remarries – will their assets go... [Read More]
Gather Ye Rosebuds
There is a poem that starts “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying;” The poem refers to how quickly life is moving and how quickly time is passing. My Dad would say “The older we get, the faster time moves”. I did not really understand that until I got into my... [Read More]
Summer Travel and Heathcare 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]
Protecting Mom
As Mother’s Day approaches, we remember all that our mom may have done for us. We can help take care of her as she ages. We can make her life more comfortable as she ages and possibly loses some physical abilities or mental capabilities. Make sure that you have legal authority to help her as... [Read More]
Wills & Trusts (Part 3)
A Trust or Living Trust, occasionally known as a Family Trust, may avoid Probate when you have your assets titled in the name of that Trust. If your assets are not titled into the name of your Trust, those assets do not avoid Probate. Further, you have wasted one of the main advantages of the... [Read More]
Wills & Trusts (Part 2)
A Will can be an effective Estate Plan. If it is properly written it can properly control your assets, the assets can go to the people that you want the way that you want, and you can have the right people in control of the Will. A Will will push your assets through Probate aka... [Read More]