If you have not yet crafted estate planning documents, now is the perfect opportunity to meet with an estate planning lawyer to discuss your next steps. There are several different people who may be associated with the management of your estate. This is because powers of attorney, trusts, wills, and advanced healthcare directives all appoint… Read More »
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What’s the Difference Between an Immediately Effective and a Springing Power Of Attorney?
Creating a power of attorney gives you several different options in terms of the powers you’d like to give your agent, the person you choose to serve as an agent and when the power of attorney becomes active. Depending on your circumstances, you might lean one way or the other when creating this power of… Read More »
Three Steps to Review Your IRA Plan Post SECURE ACT
What worked in the past as a benefit of passing down an IRA might no longer apply, but if it’s been some time since you thought about your IRA gifting strategy, now is a good time to revisit. Non-spouse Beneficiaries The SECURE Act has caused problems for many clients with estate plans who have individual… Read More »
Use Your Will To Name And Provide For Minor Children
You cannot simply leave assets behind to minor children and beneficiaries. This is because some beneficiaries, like children younger than 18, are considered too young to inherit. Making a Will This is why you need to use one of the most basic estate planning tools known as a will to help you accomplish your goals… Read More »
The Power of a Story, an Image, and Social Media By: Tiffany A. O’Connell
I quickly learned when I opened O’Connell Law in 2010 that marketing is needed to grow your practice so you can help more people. I didn’t learn about marketing in law school – As an attorney, shouldn’t those who need my help just know to reach out to me? Well, unless you let people know… Read More »
Power Of Attorney May Be Your First Used Estate Document
Most people think of the will as the cornerstone of their estate planning, but it is far more likely that you may need to activate a power of attorney document first. A durable general power of attorney is usually the document that your loved ones may need to take action if you are unable to… Read More »
Is a Living Will an Advanced Healthcare Directive?
If you’re just approaching estate planning for the first time, talk to an estate planning lawyer about important tools like a living will. Many people want to know if a living will is the same thing as an advanced healthcare directive. What Is a Living Will? A living will is a form of an advanced… Read More »
Should You Serve as the Personal Representative of Someone’s Will?
It can raise a lot of questions when a family member or friend invites you to be the personal representative of their will. They may assume that you are responsible, organized and capable of handling the fiduciary responsibility of managing their estate. This is an honor, but this is also a great deal of work…. Read More »
What Are the Most Important Planning Steps For Someone With Alzheimer’s To Take?
Legally there are many important issues to be considered when a loved one develops Alzheimer’s. If proper estate and long-term care planning have not already been completed, these should come to the top of the priority list. It is very normal for family members to feel overwhelmed by all of the aspects of legal planning,… Read More »
When Is Aging in Place the Right Fit for Your Elderly Loved One?
If you are helping an older parent or other elderly family member make decisions about their care, it’s very likely that they want to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. Advantages of Aging in Place This is known as aging in place and means thinking carefully about whether or not leaving… Read More »