This year, California enacted a “next-of-kin” law that allows medical facilities to designate a surrogate to speak and make decisions for a patient who is in a condition where they’re unable to speak for themselves. The law applies only when a patient has no advance...
Estate Planning
3 questions to ask when planning your estate
Many people make estate plans. An estate plan helps people instruct how their assets are distributed after they pass away. Here are a few common questions you may need to ask as you proceed through the estate planning process. 1. What is an heir and beneficiary? A...
3 issues people can address in an advance health care directive
Some people experience a decline in their health as they age which will render them dependent on others for meeting their basic needs. Additionally, many people experience some kind of unanticipated medical emergency at some point in life, such as a blood clot or a...
Best ways to use Powers-of-Attorney
A durable power-of-attorney represents one of the most essential planning tools for estate planning, Medicaid, and other types of public benefit planning. Upon signing a power-of-attorney, the signer provides what is known as the “agent” power to act on their behalf...
5 types of trusts
When planning out your estate, you may be able to save your heirs time and money by thinking carefully about the kind of trusts you create. Here are a few trusts that may benefit you: Revocable trust People typically make revocable trusts. This kind of trust can be...
How do you stop a power of attorney from taking over?
When you first hear about a power of attorney it can sound pretty scary. Like you are being asked to sign over control over your life to someone. You have far more control available than you might realize. Here's what you need to know: You decide what power to give...
How to get your business succession plan started
While you might intend to run your business for the next 30 years, it only takes one unexpected illness or accident to prevent you from doing so much sooner. If there is no succession plan in place, it’s not just your family that will suffer, it's your employees and...
The importance of estate planning in business succession
Succession planning is a way to ensure the smooth transition of management and business ownership. Business owners can use estate planning to complement succession planning. Estate planning is about more than avoiding probate. It is also crucial in continuing a...
Are your adult children ready to take over the family business?
Your family business was passed on to you by the previous generation, and your intention is to follow this trend. You’re reaching retirement age now and it’s time to think about the future. You aren’t always going to be physically able to cope with the strain of...
2 reasons your will can be invalidated
It’s natural to want to leave something behind for the people and causes you care about when you die. To do so, however, you need to articulate your wishes in writing. And one of the most effective estate planning tools you can use to achieve this is a will. ...
