The Lesson Behind Estate Planning We Must Not Forget

Estate Planning, Trust, Wills

If you have ever wondered about estate planning and how you can take action now to prepare for the future you are in the right place. I write these columns primarily to encourage people to prepare their estate plan before it is too late.  Without preparation, many...

Are you Prepared to Step In?

Estate Planning, Trust, Wills

I read an article published in the Wall Street Journal® titled “The Difficult, Delicate Untangling of Our Parents’ Lives.”   The author and his wife were in their 50s and dealing with the challenges of parents too incapacitated to handle their own affairs. ...

What Will Your Estate Plan Accomplish for Your Family?

Estate Planning, Trust

For those who attend my presentations, I offer a free, no obligation estate planning audit. There are three reasons for the audit. First, we discuss the issues/questions important to that person or couple. Second, we discuss what is accomplished with their current...

A Simple Step to Protect Your Family

Estate Planning

A common thread of my columns is the need to “plan when you can.”  This stems from what I consider to be the first rule of proper estate planning . . . ensure you maintain control of your estate. In this case, “estate” does not mean just your possessions or “stuff.”...

The Solution is Simple, Until It Is Too Late

Estate Planning, Power of Attorney

I once met with a family dealing with a terrible, unexpected crisis. A family member had been seriously injured in an automobile accident and faced months – possibly years – of recovery. His cognitive abilities had been seriously affected. For at least the foreseeable...

Is Someone Close to You a Risk to Your Estate?

Asset Protection, Medicaid Planning

Exploitation of seniors is an extremely serious issue.  Financial abuse costs seniors 2.6 billion annually, according to a study by MetLife, although four out of five cases are not reported.  In the majority of those cases, family members and caregivers are the...