Not long ago, the case of a pregnant Texas woman made headlines after her doctors refused to withdraw her from life support even though her husband had specifically stated that was her wish. In late November, Dallas, Ft. Worth area paramedic Eric Munoz discovered his pregnant wife, Marlise, unconscious on the floor of their home. After she was taken to a local hospital, doctors declared that Marlise Munoz had suffered a pulmonary embolism. The embolism had denied her brain of oxygen, and had … [Read more...] about Pregnant Woman Kept on Life Support Against Husband’s Wishes
Estate Planning
Why Your Default Estate Plan Has Already Been Chosen For You
When some people first meet an estate planning lawyer, one of the common questions they have is why they need an estate plan at all. After all, if estate planning is all about making choices that apply after you are dead, you won’t be around to get any benefit from the plan anyway. Right? Not exactly. Estate planning isn’t only about making choices about inheritances or other issues that affect you and your family after you die. It’s also about making choices that affect you and your family … [Read more...] about Why Your Default Estate Plan Has Already Been Chosen For You
Using Your Living Trust Properly: The Schedule of Assets
The essential idea behind a living trust is that it’s an instrument you can use to transfer your property after you die in a private, safe, and relatively cost-effective manner. Almost everyone creating a living trust can use these estate planning tools, and their flexibility makes them quite practical. Knowing that revocable living trusts are useful is a good place to start, but you will need to be prepared to take some specific steps to ensure that you create and use your trust properly. … [Read more...] about Using Your Living Trust Properly: The Schedule of Assets
Naming Co-Executors: Good? Bad? Other?
One of the most important decisions you have to make when making a last will and testament is deciding on who will be the executor. Also known as a personal representative, your executor has important responsibilities when it comes to managing your property after you die. Because of the vital nature of the position, some people consider naming two or more co-executors. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering naming co-executors. Why people choose co-executors. Many people who create a … [Read more...] about Naming Co-Executors: Good? Bad? Other?
When Estate Litigation is Most Likely to Occur
Estate planning attorneys don’t always just help people who want to create an estate plan. Sometimes they help people with grievances begin the litigation process, or help others defend against litigation filed against them. Estate litigation can arise for any number of reasons, but some causes are more common than others. Let’s take a look at some of the more common reasons why people begin the litigation process in estate planning. Litigation and Loss of Capacity One of the more important … [Read more...] about When Estate Litigation is Most Likely to Occur
Common Questions About Pet Insurance and Your Estate Plan
For pet owners, taking the time to develop an estate plan that will ensure your pet is cared for after you are gone might require you to incorporate pet insurance. In addition to making a pet trust or taking other steps to protect your furry loved one, pet insurance can be a useful and practical tool. Like all estate planning elements, you will need to carefully consider your needs, abilities, as well as the effects that pet insurance might have on the other elements of your estate plan. Here … [Read more...] about Common Questions About Pet Insurance and Your Estate Plan
Estate Litigation in Sacramento CA: What Happens in Arbitration and Mediation?
Sometimes, legal disputes surrounding estate planning issues don’t end with litigation, but rather as a result of a successful arbitration or mediation process. Even though it isn’t as commonly encountered in estate planning as it is in, for example, contract law, arbitration and mediation is an option in some situations. But what is arbitration and mediation? Most people, even though they might have heard of the terms, don’t really know what these two processes entail. Basically, they are … [Read more...] about Estate Litigation in Sacramento CA: What Happens in Arbitration and Mediation?
3 Big Risks You Take When You Ignore Estate Planning
If you ask the average American whether they have an estate plan, a number of them would likely have no idea what you were talking about. And even if a person knows what estate planning is that doesn’t mean they have taken the time to create one. Estate planning often feels about as enjoyable as planning a trip to the dentist, but there are some pretty big risks you take when you don’t have a plan. Even a simple plan can correct these mistakes, but not having one in place will almost guarantee a … [Read more...] about 3 Big Risks You Take When You Ignore Estate Planning
Your Special Needs Children Need You to Act
Parents who have special needs children often need to deal with issues that parents who don’t have special needs children don’t have to face. While all parents need to create a comprehensive estate plan, especially after they have a new child, parents of special needs children have to take a little extra time when they develop their plan so they can address the specific issues relevant to their situation. Let’s take a look at some of the common concerns that parents with special needs children … [Read more...] about Your Special Needs Children Need You to Act
How Can I Determine if I Need a Trust?
Quite often, the popular notion of a trust is that it’s a device used primarily by the wealthy. Trusts are for grandparents who want to leave their grandchildren healthy inheritances so those grandchildren never have to work their entire lives, or so the popular misperception says. But that notion is far from the truth. The reality is that trusts offer almost everyone the ability to take advantage of specific benefits not afforded by other estate planning tools. Whether you have a high net … [Read more...] about How Can I Determine if I Need a Trust?
