Steve Teaches CE Class – “Mental Incapacity in Estate Planning”

Steve will teach a Continuing Education Class to Financial, Accounting & Insurance Professionals on planning for and handling Mental Disability in Estate Planning. As the rise of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s and other related forms of mental disability rise in seniors (and even middle age people), planning for Mental Disability is even more important. Steve will... [Read More]

Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind

Examine all the roles you currently hold in your personal and professional worlds. If you are like many people, you may have to use toes as well as your fingers to count everything. In what percent of these roles are you serving and supporting others? If you find the number approaching 80, 90, or even... [Read More]

Saving Lou Anne

Lou Anne said that she felt like she was “drowning” when she took over the heavy duties of caring for her husband George during his periods of illnesses.  She did this on top of taking care of their farm (which George had done) and her other responsibilities. George and Lou Anne were both in their... [Read More]

Psychological Cost of Inheritance

When creating your Estate Plan do consider whether an inheritance to your children is disincentivizing them from growing-up into a responsible adult. A lump-sum inheritance might leave them feeling “fat and happy” and therefore they’ll stop being a productive member of society. Another issue to consider is whether they might be one of the estimated... [Read More]

Estate Planning and Alzheimer’s for the Denver Bronco’s Owner

Pat Bowlen, president and owner of the NFL Denver Bronco’s Team has resigned as President due to having Alzheimer’s disease. He has struggled with this disease for at least five (5) years. He is 70 years old. The team is held by his Trust. This is another example of a well-known individual in the news... [Read More]

Donald Sterling v. Casey Kasem – Estate Planning

The recent Donald Sterling and Casey Kasem cases served to illustrate when Mental Disability Planning is made a part of the client’s Estate Planning. It was done in the Donald Sterling case inside of his Living Trust aka Revocable Living Trust. A mechanism was designed in the Trust so that Mental Disability Provisions could be... [Read More]

Donald Sterling’s Estate Planning – Part 2

As more news comes out regarding the Estate Planning of Mental Incapacity of NBA Team Owner Donald Sterling, it appears that Donald Sterling was ruled an incompetent adult by two physicians. That was sufficient under the terms of the Living Trust that Donald shared with his wife, Shelly, so that under said Trust he could... [Read More]

Baseball Great Tony Gwynn Dies at 54

Hall of Fame baseball player Tony Gwynn died at the age of 54 after a long battle with cancer. I have always been amazed by how many widows I have met who were in their 50’s. It seems many men, and women, die of heart attacks or cancer more so in their 50’s. Our odds... [Read More]

Casey Kasem Estate Planning Woes

Radio icon Casey Kasem famous for his national “America’s Top 40” weekly radio show, is in the spotlight for his Estate Planning woes. There appears to be an ongoing wrestling match between Casey Kasem’s wife and his adult children from a prior marriage over physical possession of Casey Kasem. He is reported to be suffering... [Read More]

Donald Sterling’s Mental Incapacity

Professional basketball team owner Donald Sterling’s has reportedly been declared Mentally Incompetent under the terms of his Trust with his wife according to Sports Illustrated. Apparently under the terms of Donald Sterling’s Trust he can be declared an incompetent adult by two physicians, which apparently has been done, placing his wife in control under their... [Read More]