Guardianship and power of attorney are two methods to handle the affairs of someone who can not do so for themselves. Whether a disabling condition is temporary or permanent, both guardianship and power of attorney grant an individual the legal tools to make decisions for another person. When planning your estate, it is crucial to forecast a broad range...
Continue ReadingA durable power of attorney is a written document, whereby a person (“the principal”) can authorize or grant authority to another individual (or individuals, called the “agent” or the “attorney-in-fact”) to perform certain tasks on behalf of the principal, whether or not the principal is under a disability. nj.com’s recent article, “Don’t mess up this estate planning document,” says that whether two...
Continue ReadingWorking with an elder law or estate planning attorney may be one of the best investments a person can make, reports nj.com in its article, “Why an estate planning attorney is worth the money.” You need to make sure that all of your documents are in order. This is not an easy thing to do on your own. With properly prepared estate planning...
Continue ReadingYour financial and estate plans can easily become out-of-date. Your situation may have changed, since the analysis and recommendations in your plan were made. It may be that some facts have changed, your health has deteriorated, or your vision for the future has changed. The Smyrna-Clayton Sun-Times reports in its article,“Change plan as plans change,” that most financial plans begin as a...
Continue ReadingWhile you may believe you’ve covered your bases by completing an advance directive detailing your preferences for end-of-life care, that may not be enough. You still need to make sure your family fully understands your wishes, updating your directive regularly and making the document easily accessible to those who need it. Kiplinger’s recent article, “Advance Directive: Ensure End-of-Life Wishes Honored,” notes that...
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