How and When Does a Durable Power of Attorney Go Into Effect?
There’s no doubt that a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is an important part of your estate plan. Ideally, if it’s well crafted and updated, a DPOA will protect both you and your assets by enabling someone you have deep trust in, to take care of both your healthcare decisions and decisions concerning your estate….
What You Need to Know About a Durable Power of Attorney in 2018
There are several different types of Powers of Attorney (POA). Regardless of the kind of Power of Attorney we are talking about, you are essentially enabling someone else to act on your behalf. Often, you will sign a POA for legal representation, or for other situations in which you might want someone to be able…
What A New College Student Can Teach Us About Family Protection Planning
Your baby is now 18 years old and is on her way to college as a freshman this coming fall! That happened fast…In fact, it may have happened so fast that you didn’t realize that while they may be your baby still, they are full grown adults in the eyes of the law. In…
Estate Planning and Divorce: Incapacity, Death and Alimony Considerations
If you are considering a divorce, it’s critical to understand the impact of your divorce on what would happen in the event of your incapacity or death, either during the divorce or after. Unfortunately, most divorce lawyers do not give any thought to incapacity or death, simply because they do not have training on…
How Do I Appoint a Guardian For My Child If I Die?
Who Would Raise Your Children If Something Happened to You? Honestly, no one wants to think about this question. It’s an implicit reminder that we are indeed mortal, and, in some cases, we may leave this world before we are ready. Who will you leave your child with if you die? What are our…
Wills & Living Trusts – Which is Better?
Most people won’t be able to describe the difference between a Will and a Trust. Both are potentially beneficial planning devices and serve distinctly helpful purposes for an estate. And both Wills and Trusts are common approaches to end of life planning. So what is the difference? Which is better for you when thinking about…
The Basics of Probate
You’ve probably heard about trusts and wills at this point. But in nearly all discussion about trusts and wills there is a legal term that most people don’t actually know what it means, probate. What is Probate? Starting at the basics, probate is a legal procedure that settles a person’s affairs after his/her death. …
5 Reasons to Create a Will Today
One of the best things you can do to protect those you love and the assets you will leave behind in the event you pass away is to create a will today. Most people tend to avoid discussing what will happen to their wealth and estate should the worst occur, and we agree, it’s…
Is a Military Will Enough Protection for my Family?
One of the benefits of serving in the United States Military is that you have access to free legal help for things like: Powers of Attorney, Wills & Living Wills, Family care & Family Estate Plan, Survivor benefits, Estate taxes, Probate. However, there are some very important limitations to these supports that you should be…
Why You Need to Update Your Estate Plan After These Life Events
Too many estate plans are created and then quickly forgotten, put on a shelf, and never looked at again. While we do recommend that you review and update your estate plan at least every three years, no matter what happens in your life, your plan must be updated immediately in the event of any of…