» Estate Planning

A will provides instructions about who should receive a person’s money and property after the person’s death and who they would like to care for their dependents.

What Your Will Can and Can Not Do (Hint: It's Not a Magic Wand)

A will is a legally binding directive stating who will receive much of your property upon your death. Having a will allows you to appoint a legal representative or executor to carry out your bequests and name a guardian for your children. If you die… Read More
Beware of Undue Influence

Beware of Undue Influence

It’s the unfortunate truth that when our loved ones become elderly or ill, they become susceptible to manipulation from those who will defraud or steal. Targeted attacks on vulnerable older people to exert what attorneys deem undue influence consti… Read More
“For the 99.5% Act

“For the 99.5% Act": A Look at Proposed Changes and Estate Planning

On March 21, 2021, Rep. Jimmy Gomez and Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a new bill into Congress called, “For the 99.5% Act.” The bill’s introduced form is only 18 pages long, but its potential impact on federal estate and gift tax l… Read More
Aging Strategy. Senior mother and adult daughter giving support to each other. Closeup of senior and young woman holding hands. Mother and daughter Family affection concept

What Are Your Parents' Aging Strategies?

In the United States, it’s very common for adult children to live far away from their aging parents. Managing aging parents’ or in-laws’ medical events can be a serious challenge without proper preparation and understanding of their str… Read More
Probate in brown envelope and judges gavel

The Process of Probate

When someone passes away, there is an often-lengthy legal procedure. This involves a court overseeing the process of authenticating the will, reviewing the deceased’s assets, paying outstanding debts, and distributing the remaining property to the… Read More
sign and drive through teller and atm at a bank

Should You Add Your Child’s Name to Your Bank Account?

Even if you wanted to have another party available to keep track of bills when you’re sick or away, adding a child’s name to a bank account may be more of a hassle than it’s worth. Doing so may have unintended consequences for both you and the… Read More
RISK in red wooden blocks keeping other blocks from falling on a wooden house

Property Co-Ownership Can Be Risky

Too often, people try to circumvent probate challenges by deeding property away to someone else during their lives or by putting someone else on the deed to their home. Also too often, doing this leads to unintended consequences and higher attorneys&… Read More
Health care planning with Medical and Health icons on wooden block planning for health care concept.

How COVID-19 Might Change Your Health Care Planning and Directives

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, we have been forced, as individuals, to assess our values and priorities along with our overall health. The COVID-19 clinical information relating to treatment options and likely outcomes based on pers… Read More
Teaching kids how to save money and planning for future

Filial Responsibility: Should Your Children Be Required to Pay for Your Care?

Nursing home care is expensive; it’s fair to say it is astronomically expensive. Costs can run $7,000 or more per month, depending on location. Hundreds of thousands of people presently need that kind of care, and the numbers are rising. Ten thousa… Read More
Update Your Estate Plan t…

Update Your Estate Plan to Cover Pandemics

The World Health Organization (WHO) gave name to the disease causing the novel coronavirus outbreak on February 11, 2020. The coronavirus disease of 2019 shortly after became known by its abbreviation, CO for corona, VI for virus, D for disease, and… Read More