Estate Planning
Why Unmarried Couples Need Estate Planning the Most
If you have ever watched Judge Judy on TV, you may have heard the iconic judge tell couples who have been living together “without the benefit of marriage” that courts are not designed to handle the legal ramifications of “setting up shop” together. Yet it is happening more and more. For many reasons, older couples…
READ MORE →Who Knew? August is Make a Will Month!
Estate Planning is really legacy planning. How would you like to leave your mark on your family — maybe even your community? This is your chance to decide instead of having state and/or government law decide for you.
READ MORE →How Fathers Shape Estate Planning for the Family
Great dads have a vision and goals for their loved ones and a basic plan for how to get them to reach these goals. I believe part of this responsibility is having a legacy plan that takes care of those whom you love even after you are gone.
READ MORE →What is a Power of Attorney?
One of the most common questions I get from people both online and in person is relating to Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney. Usually it is from folks with an aging or ill parent or parents or parents of teens turning 18 and moving away from home (usually either traveling or away at school).…
READ MORE →Why Sharing Your Digital Passwords is Critical
As more and more of our lives move online, it is becoming critical to document information about accessing your online accounts and assets (photos, videos, etc.) on the internet. Making sure you leave locations (URL) and digital passwords is critical. Why? Matt Thompson very sadly committed suicide in July 2015 and left no will.…
READ MORE →Will You Be an Organ Donor?
I recently saw a viral post on Facebook from some caring folks about organ donation. The poster wanted everyone to know that organ donation was extremely important to them should their death occur. My hat is off to this person for being so thoughtful and proactive, but because of what I do, my inclination of…
READ MORE →Facebook Uses AI to Determine User Death
Facebook plans to use artificial intelligence to help it be more sensitive of its members’ feelings when it comes to death of a friend or family member. In the past, Facebook might have allowed Memories to popup, send Birthday reminders and more. The results were not always positive for some folks. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg…
READ MORE →Why Advance Directives are Essential: NHDD
Next week (Tuesday the 16th) is National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). Why is such a day necessary or even important you might be thinking? According to a 2003 article by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Study: Less than 50 percent of the severely or terminally ill patients studied had an advance directive in their medical…
READ MORE →Don’t Leave Your Health & Welfare Decisions in “Jeopardy”
When Alex Trebek announced his cancer diagnosis, my first thought was that I hoped he had taken care of his legacy planning so he could concentrate on beating his disease and spending quality time with his family.
READ MORE →Estate Documents in the Cloud
So, if you visited me and created one or more of the following documents, I have some good news. The state of Arizona helps you store these documents safely and at no charge. Save These Arizona Advance Directives Online AND for Free: Medical/Health Care Power of Attorney Mental Health Care Power of Attorney Living Will…
READ MORE →“Marie Kondo” Your Estate Plan
No matter if you choose Marie Kondo or another method, bringing order to home clutter and chaos not only makes your own life easier, but is gift to loved ones who will carry out your wishes someday.
READ MORE →The Law of Unintended Consequences
Just before the holidays we shared a post about Muhammad Ali’s son from online source Meaww.com. The report claimed he “is ‘penniless’ and ‘has no plans for Christmas’ except looking for odd jobs.” The article went on to explain that the late heavyweight champion’s son had expected to inherit $5 million after the boxing legend…
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