The recent story of Oakland area teenager Jahi McMath, as well as the story of Marlise Munoz, has once again focused media attention on the concept of brain death. When it comes to creating an estate plan, and especially an incapacity plan, brain death is a key concept. Unfortunately, it is also a concept that not a lot of people understand very well. Few of us have any training in medical terminology and treatment, so taking the time to study terms such as brain death is essential if we want to … [Read more...] about Why Understanding Brain Death is Important For Incapacity Planning
Incapacity Planning
Living Together as a Non-Married Couple Without an Estate Plan
Non-married couples who live together in California have some significant estate planning questions they need to address. Like married couples, non-married couples face many of the issues as their married counterparts. However, when it comes to estate planning questions, non-married couples are not given the same benefits. Let’s take a look at how living together as a non-married couple will affect your estate plan. Inheritances for Non-Married Couples Once you and your partner are married, each … [Read more...] about Living Together as a Non-Married Couple Without an Estate Plan
Do I Have to Register my Health Care Directive in California? 3 Questions
Question 1: I’ve made an advance healthcare directive. Do I have to register it with the state? No. There is no legal requirement that you register or file any advance healthcare directive you might have made with a government office. Advance healthcare directives in California have to meet specific legal requirements, but registering them is not one of those. The California Secretary of State’s office does offer a voluntary registration service, but you are not obligated to use it. Question … [Read more...] about Do I Have to Register my Health Care Directive in California? 3 Questions
When Should I Update My Estate Plan?
They say that one thing leads to another, and this is certainly true when you are engaged in the process of estate planning. Indeed, the word “process” is something to absorb because being optimally prepared at all times is an ongoing endeavor. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the top three reasons to update your estate plan. Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage An update to your estate plan is going to be a natural accompaniment to any change in marital status. In fact, you may … [Read more...] about When Should I Update My Estate Plan?
California Advance Health Care Directive – 5 Important Elements
Element 1: Health care power of attorney. A California Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD), which is the California version of a document also known as a health care power of attorney, will let you choose someone who can be responsible for making medical decisions on your behalf should you ever become unconscious or otherwise incapacitated. While you can choose whomever you wish, that person should always be a capable adult who can be easily reached by your health care providers in case of an … [Read more...] about California Advance Health Care Directive – 5 Important Elements
How Parents Can Choose a Guardian
Whenever parents contemplate their child's future, it's natural to think about how the child would fare if you should die. This is never a pleasant thought, but there is some way to help alleviate the worry. By creating an estate plan in which you choose a guardian to take over caring for your child if you should die, you can rest assured that your child will be cared for by someone of whom you approve. There are two types of guardianships that need consideration. Guardians of the estate are … [Read more...] about How Parents Can Choose a Guardian
