What is Permanent Guardianship & Why Does It Matter?
What is permanent guardianship? The importance of selecting a viable guardian early in a child’s life cannot be understated. In the event a parent passes prematurely or becomes unable to deliver the caregiving needs of a minor child, having a responsible and loving family member or trusted friend ready may prove invaluable. Without someone who…
What is a Guardian Ad Litem?
What is a guardian ad litem? A guardian ad litem represents the best interests of a child in court. A guardian ad litem can also represent an adult who is incapacitated or has diminished mental capacity. What’s the Difference Between a Guardian ad Litem and an Attorney? A guardian ad litem does not perform the…
What Do I Need to Know about a Power of Attorney in WA State?
What do you need to know about a power of attorney in Washington state? A power of attorney gives a loved one the legal authority to handle your healthcare, financial, or other important decisions for you if you’re unable to. This can help you both during major life events when you need extra help or…
Maximizing Tax Umbrellas for Estates
How can you maximize tax umbrellas? Estate tax can rip as much as 40% of your family’s assets from them, depending on the value of your estate and its location in the country. Right now is the time to protect your estate from federal and state taxes. If you take the time to create a well…
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference?
Do you feel confused when people start talking about the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? If so, you are not alone. One study found that only 4% of Americans could correctly explain the basic terms of their health insurance policy. The thought of navigating the world of health insurance on your own may seem overwhelming. This is…
10 Tips to Finding an Elder Law Attorney You Can Trust
Do you need to find an elder law attorney you can trust? 1 out of 10 older people experiences a form of abuse. It could come from inexperienced caregivers. But, there are also people who will take advantage of anyone for their own gain. They target people unable to care for themselves or that suffer…
5 Hacks for Setting Up a Living Will and Trust
Age is a slippery slope. The older you get, the more dependent you are on others. At some point, you cannot depend on yourself at all. Around 60-years-old, there is a 7% chance you will suffer from dementia. Two decades later, and it is more likely you will have dementia than you will not. By then, your…
Revocable Trust or Irrevocable Trust: Which One Do You Need?
Do you need a revocable or irrevocable trust? No matter what happens throughout your life, you are going to leave behind assets for someone when you die. You should always leave behind a legal document to guide how to distribute those assets. Another thing you should do to protect your assets is to put your…
Will v. Estate Plan: What Is the Difference?
Do you know the difference between a will and an estate plan? Did you know that more than 50% of Americans do not have an estate plan or will in place? Many people wonder if they need estate planning if they are young or do not own much. Read on as we answer that question and look at…
5 Common Mistakes When Writing a Will
There are five common mistakes when writing a will. Despite the importance of estate planning, a majority of Americans seem to neglect it. In fact, 60% of American adults do not have a will. Having more than enough to worry about already, many people do not want to add their mortality to their list of…