ARTICLES

The Best Next Step

The Best Next Step

Question: “I had noticed that my mom was starting to be a little more forgetful and having some trouble caring for herself. Mom’s neurologist determined that my mom is in the early stages of dementia. What do I do now?” We sympathize with our clients that have to navigate this type of challenge. The best...
The Scary Truth About Wills

The Scary Truth About Wills

We all know that a Last Will and Testament (Will) is an important thing to have.  We want to make it easier for our families after we have died.  But just having a Will often causes more problems than it solves.  The problem is that it may not be enough; it could be putting your...
Should You Name Co-Trustees?

Should You Name Co-Trustees?

When a client is in the process of creating a trust, one of the first questions that comes up is “How should I choose my successor trustee?”. (Find out our answer in the previous article “How to Choose a Trustee” ). The follow-up question is usually if they should name co-Trustees to manage their revocable...
How to Choose a Trustee

How to Choose a Trustee

For many people, a trust is an integral part of a thorough and effective estate plan. Whether it is designed to avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, or protect assets, it is important that a trust is administered as instructed in the trust document to ensure that it serves its purpose. Therefore, one of the most...
4 Common Types of Trusts

4 Common Types of Trusts

Understanding the types of trust that are available and discussing your goals and wishes with your estate planning attorney should be accomplished before you settle on which type of trust is best for you.  A Guide to Some Common Types of Trusts As discussed in our blog, “Trusts, not Just for the Rich and Famous”,...
The Downsides of Reserving a Life Estate

The Downsides of Reserving a Life Estate

In a previous article, we explored the benefits of reserving a life estate to protect your home from the high cost of nursing home care. (You can read the full article here) Reserving a life estate is a common planning technique where the home is deeded to a loved one, typically your adult child(ren), and...
The Benefits of Reserving a Life Estate

The Benefits of Reserving a Life Estate

Your home is often your most important asset.  Many families want to protect this asset from the high cost of nursing home care.  When nursing home care is not imminent, a common planning technique is to deed the home to a loved one, typically your adult child(ren), and reserve a life estate for yourself. This...
6 Things to Do Before Your Next Vacation

6 Things to Do Before Your Next Vacation

Scheduling a vacation requires a lot of thought and planning.  It may involve booking a flight and hotel room, arranging for a rental car, and finding someone to look out for your home and pets while you are away. You plan to ensure that you and your family’s needs are met and to travel with...
Advocating for a Loved One in a Hospital or Nursing Home

In this video webinar, Nurse Attorney Cathleen Summers discusses how to effectively advocate for a loved one who is hospitalized. Cathleen covers the basics from what estate planning documents should be in place and how to know what your loved one’s wishes are, to more in-depth information regarding effective communication with health care providers, and...