Planning for the end of one’s life is never a pleasant endeavor, but the peace of mind such planning brings makes it an invaluable task. Some people leave these matters up to their family members. Others choose to make funeral decisions, sometimes in great detail,...
For many of us, the ability to make our own decisions about medical care is of utmost importance. As long as we have the faculty to understand medical recommendations and their potential outcomes, we want and deserve the right to exercise that capacity. Even so, we...
When you initially choose your health care power of attorney, you select someone based on who you know at the time as well as who shares your same feelings about medical care or treatment. Over time, your opinion about those aspects of your care may change, and if so,...
You can designate who you would like to look after your pets in your will. If someone other than the person you name thinks they have a claim to the animal, it is best to talk about it first to avoid them fighting each other in court. Having someone care for the...
The person you choose to serve as trustee plays an important role in the trust that you establish. They ultimately have control over the assets you use to fund the trust and have to handle the investments or maintenance of those assets for your beneficiaries. Many...
You live your life to try to benefit your community and the people you love. You may even donate to charity and perform random acts of kindness for strangers. For those with a strong calling toward compassion or kindness, the idea that they can continue to help others...
Whether a ski chalet in the mountains or a cabin on the water, a vacation home offers busy families a welcomed respite. A chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and tune back into nature while reconnecting with family, friends and loved ones....
Your estate plan establishes your legacy and ensures that the right people receive your property when you die. Typically, testators creating wills and other estate documents focus on their biggest assets first. Few pieces of personal property will have the financial...
When you are potentially going to be the guardian for someone you care about, you may find that it is more complex than you thought just because you’re across state lines. When you cross state lines, rules and laws change. Determining jurisdiction may become a...
During estate planning, two terms that often come up are “heir” and “beneficiary.” Many people think that they are synonyms that can be used interchangeably. However, that is not the case. So, what is the difference between the two? When is it appropriate to use...
