Discussions about estate planning often focus on someone's legacy. People want to know exactly what will happen with their property when they die and seek to provide as much as they can for their closest or most vulnerable family members. The best estate plans in...
Financial Planning
Does an agent power of attorney have to pay nursing home bills?
If you have been appointed as agent under a power of attorney for another person, whether an elderly parent, grandparent or disabled sibling, you should know that, absent particular and unlikely circumstances, you are not personally responsible for paying nursing home...
3 times it may be wise to get outside fiduciary services
Fiduciary services can be necessary in a wide range of situations. For estate planning purposes, you may need them when you cannot or do not wish to manage your finances. People who act as fiduciaries may be personal representatives, trustees and others. Before you...
4 goals you can accomplish by establishing a trust
Trusts can be a highly valuable component of an estate plan that you might be overlooking. Too often, people focus solely on their will. And while a will is undoubtedly critical, there are several benefits to reinforcing your estate plan with trusts. Preserving...
Planning for incapacity
When someone gets hurt or sick and is incapacitated, family members or others must make decisions for this person. And if there is no plan in place to guide them through these decisions, conflicts and disputes could erupt and jeopardize relationships, not to mention...
Mistakes that can trigger legal consequences for fiduciaries
Making financial decisions for other people is not a responsibility to take lightly. And in some cases, it proves to be a burden that overwhelms individuals and leads to some missteps. These mistakes can have costly ramifications for the fiduciary who makes them and...
Who pays when seniors get home-based care?
People's health often declines as they get older. They may become less mobile, and they may start forgetting things from time to time. Because of this, it can be challenging to do everything you need to do, especially if you live alone or with a partner in a similar...
Elder care, estate planning is not just for emergencies
An elder care plan can provide critical guidance and support in emergencies: a severe accident, a sudden illness. However, planning is not just for emergencies. Many people develop health conditions as they get older that gradually affect their mental capacity and...
Are all trusts the same?
Establishing a trust can be a wise decision for anyone who wants to shield assets from probate or make it easier to transfer property. However, not all trusts are the same. There are specific benefits and limitations of every type of trust. To protect your wishes and...
Protecting your nest egg when your kids return home
Did you know that more than half of adults between the ages of and 18 and 29 live with their parents? This statistic, which comes from the Pew Research Center, reflects the highest number of young adults living with at least one parent since before the Great...