Category: Power of Attorney / POA
While a family member or friend may be willing to care for your cat or dog or cockatoo, that’s a commitment not to be taken lightly. Aside from the cost of maintaining a pet, there is daily care, and for any number of reasons you may not have someone you can depend on to take […]
Here are the four estate-planning documents everyone needs. Don’t think you really need a will? Think again! Creating a will with a qualified estate planning attorney is the best way to ensure your wishes will be honored and moved quickly through the legal process. As The Wall Street Journal warns in “Four Estate-Planning Documents Everyone […]
If your digital assets aren’t included in an estate plan, your heirs might not know about that online stock account you have. They might not know you do all your banking online. Your digital assets could be lost forever. In addition to your tangible assets, your digital assets should be included in your estate plan. […]
Instead of flat out asking them to tell you about their personal information, it can work better to talk about emergency preparedness instead. When a natural disaster strikes, it can prompt many “what if” conversations. What if that were to happen to us? What if that were to happen to our family? These events be […]
Disinheritance is a profound element of an estate plan. It can be triggered by a single, specific event, or result from the lifelong flaws of a relationship. For example, a parent may decide to remove one child as a residuary beneficiary under his or her will because of a heated dispute and subsequent estrangement. Making […]
Should you be happy or suspicious of dad’s new girlfriend Goldie? If Goldie is in similar circumstances—divorced or widowed, with her own assets—you might be thrilled. But if she’s much younger and your family and friends have never heard of her before, it could be hard to tell if you’re dealing with a paramour or […]
We get it: Nobody wants to contemplate his or her own mortality. Estate planning is going to hurt, at least a little bit—right? The notion of planning for one’s death is not exactly a walk in the park. But CNN says that is doesn’t have to hurt. In a recent online CNN Money article, “10 […]
Estate Planning, Wills, Probate, Inheritance, Power of AttorneyAccording to a report from BMO Wealth Institute, Canadians list conflict (54%), unpleasant surprises (37%) and financial or taxation issues (33%) as the pitfalls to avoiding the legacy conversation. Although you won’t be around to witness the drama, here are five ways to avoid a Dynasty-worthy brawl over […]
Whoever you name as your financial power of attorney makes all of your financial decisions. By specifically picking someone to make those decisions, you help eliminate controversy and stress. Business owners rarely get substantial time off from their day-to-day duties. Running a business is a 24-7 job for most, even strategizing long after business hours […]
Give a copy of your wills, trusts and powers of attorney (financial and health care) to anyone named or authorized to act on your behalf, and store the originals at home; otherwise, your children could have trouble getting them at the critical time. The best laid plans of mice and men alike may fall apart […]
