When people write a will, there are a lot of questions they will have to answer about inheritances, spouses, children, and a number of other issues. If you ask most people who write a will, they’ll probably say that they do so in order to ensure that their children receive a good inheritance. But what are the rules with inheritances and your children? Do you have to leave something? What if you have a child after you write your will? Your estate planning lawyer will be able to answer these … [Read more...] about Your Children and Your Will
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California Probate: Can I Start Probate if I Can’t Find The Will?
California probate is often viewed as a difficult process. There is, in fact, a lot of truth to the idea that it can be difficult to manage probate simply because most people are so unfamiliar with. This is especially true when, for example, people believe they need to be in possession of a decedent’s last will and testament before they go to probate court. Fortunately, if a relative of yours has died in California, you don’t need a will to begin the probate process. Can’t Find the Will Most … [Read more...] about California Probate: Can I Start Probate if I Can’t Find The Will?
Commonly Believed Myths About Powers of Attorney
Like other estate planning tools, powers of attorney must meet the legal standards imposed by state law. Though these documents are flexible and powerful, a lot of people don’t really know much about them. To help you better understand powers of attorney, let’s take a little time to look at some of the commonly held myths about these documents. Myth 1. Powers of attorney involve lawyers. This myth is entirely understandable because of the legal terminology used with powers of attorney. When we … [Read more...] about Commonly Believed Myths About Powers of Attorney
Pregnant Woman Kept on Life Support Against Husband’s Wishes
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
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
More Aging Drivers as Boomers Become Seniors
Seniors often have a more difficult time driving safely because of the natural decline in abilities that occur as we age. As 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age every day, more and more of them are discovering that their abilities to operate a vehicle are not what they once were. For the generation that lived with cars, loves cars, and grew up associating cars with freedom, the transition into a time when they might not be able to drive anymore can be difficult. More Seniors Being Hurt … [Read more...] about More Aging Drivers as Boomers Become Seniors
Common Nursing Home Litigation Causes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1.5 million Americans currently reside in a nursing home. While nursing homes, assisted living centers, and other long-term care facilities provide millions of elderly Americans with the care they need, they can also cause elderly people serious harm. In fact, thousands of cases arise every year because nursing home residents are harmed while under the care of a facility that’s supposed to protect them. Here are some of the more … [Read more...] about Common Nursing Home Litigation Causes
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?
Powers of Attorney Require Caution
A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted some of the potential dangers involved when people create powers of attorney. These important legal documents are getting attention as baby boomers age and consider the possibility that they might one day need someone else to either manage their financial affairs or make medical decisions on their behalf. Unfortunately, there have also been a number of recent stories about elderly people who have suffered at the hands of agents who have wrongfully … [Read more...] about Powers of Attorney Require Caution
