It shouldn’t come as a surprise that estate planning isn’t a high priority for the typical adult in their 20’s or 30’s. One reason is that they usually have not accumulated the assets that people 10 or 20 years older may have. Also, because milestones, like getting married and having children, are coming a little. . .
How Do You Provide For Your Pet After You Pass?
Ask Heidi: When is the Best Time to Start Estate Planning?
Questions to Ask When Interviewing Estate Planning Attorneys
Estate planning is not something that many people look forward because it’s associated with mortality, but it’s important to think of the next generation. If you want your assets passed down to them without efficiently and without incident, you’re going to need to make smart decisions. Fortunately, if you hire the right estate planning attorney,. . .
ASK HEIDI: Do I need to select a Power of Attorney for financial matters and another for health care, or can the same person do both?
Short Answer: While it’s two different documents/roles it can be the same person wearing both hats. The document for handling financial matters is called a Durable Power of Attorney and the Health Care Surrogate Designation is for healthcare decisions when you are unable but there’s an expectation of survival. I usually approach it from the. . .
Ask Heidi: What’s an ‘Opioid Trust’?
How Can I Be Sure My Will Is Uncontested?
“Death brings out the best and the worst in families.” If you have been through a personal loss, you may have experienced it first-hand. Grief and stress understandably are at their peak in the event of the loss of a loved one. From a legal perspective, it is essential to make sure all your affairs. . .
Eight Estate Planning Documents Everyone Should Have (and keep updated!)
An Estate Plan contains many documents, some that people are unaware of and need. Here is an overview of eight documents you may need to prepare for yourself and your family with the help of an attorney. LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT A legal document used to distribute property to beneficiaries, specify last wishes, name guardians. . .
How Do I Talk to My Parents About Estate Planning?
Conversations about planning for a senior’s later years seem difficult because often they are delayed until a medical crisis forces the family’s hand. Here are two suggestions on how to make this conversation a productive one for all parties involved. Schedule a Time to Hold the Conversation Let them know ahead of time that you. . .
How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Attorney
Once you’ve located a prospective estate planning attorney, you’ll need to ask the attorney the following list of questions to determine if they’re truly qualified to help you: Is the attorney’s primary focus on estate planning? Unless you live in a very rural area I think you will find that most attorneys have narrowed. . .