Although you may not give it much thought, over the course of an average week you make thousands of decisions. Some of those decisions are relatively unimportant while others may have a significant impact on your life. Either way, you probably take the ability to make those decisions for yourself for granted – most of us do. What would happen, however, if you were unable to make decisions for … [Read more...] about Vero Beach Estate Planning Attorneys Explain Advanced Directives
Vero Beach Living Trust Lawyers — How a Living Trust Can Help with Incapacity Planning
Like many people, you may equate the concept of estate planning with creating a plan for the distribution of your estate assets after your death to ensure that loved ones are provided for in when you are gone. This is certainly understandable as that is one of the primary functions of the average estate plan. When you think about protecting and providing for your loved ones, however, your death is … [Read more...] about Vero Beach Living Trust Lawyers — How a Living Trust Can Help with Incapacity Planning
Essential Steps You Need to Take for Effective Incapacity Planning
Most of us accept that things like death and taxes are an inescapable part of life. We also tend to think that we have at least some level of control over virtually everything else. Sadly, however, that is not the case. Accidents, injuries, and illnesses are not always things that we can prevent or control. As a result, there is always a chance that an unexpected injury or illness could leave you … [Read more...] about Essential Steps You Need to Take for Effective Incapacity Planning
Durable Power of Attorney: Prepare for the Unexpected
Like many Americans, you may think you have all the time in the world to get your affairs in order, plan how your estate is managed once you’re gone, and ensure that your spouse, children, and other loved ones are properly cared for in your absence. You may even have many of the necessary elements of a comprehensive estate plan already in place. If so, congratulations! However, if you still … [Read more...] about Durable Power of Attorney: Prepare for the Unexpected
Does the nursing home get half of my assets?
Sometimes a client who is thinking about the possibility of going to a nursing home will ask me if the nursing home will get half of their assets. The real answer is it depends on the situation and whether or not you have planned ahead. If you are a single person and need Medicaid help to pay for a nursing home you must spend down your assets until $2,000.00 remains. How one spends down to qualify … [Read more...] about Does the nursing home get half of my assets?
Creating Your 2016 Florida Estate Plan: Medical Directives
If you have been thinking about creating your 2016 Florida estate plan, one of the most important topics you will have to address is the issue of medical directives. Also known as advance or health care directives, medical directives are documents that allow you to make specific choices about what you want to happen in the event you lose capacity and require medical care. Today we are going to … [Read more...] about Creating Your 2016 Florida Estate Plan: Medical Directives
Durable Power of Attorney, Your Health, and Your Estate Plan
As a part of a comprehensive Florida power of attorney, the creation of a durable power of attorney is typically a necessary step. Regardless of the kind of plan you create, the specific estate planning goals you decide upon, or your circumstances, a good durable power of attorney is essential. Today we are going to look at some commonly asked questions about durable powers of attorney so you can … [Read more...] about Durable Power of Attorney, Your Health, and Your Estate Plan
Texas Man’s Fight Highlights Advance Directive Issues
Recently, a Texas man has been fighting against hospital administrators to have his wife removed from life support in a case that is drawing renewed attention to the differences in advance directive laws around the country. In late November, Eric Munoz found his wife unconscious and unresponsive on the floor of their Fort Worth, Texas area home. A paramedic, Munoz attempted to revive his wife but … [Read more...] about Texas Man’s Fight Highlights Advance Directive Issues
Florida Standby Guardians – 3 Questions
Question 1: What does a standby guardian do? Answer: A guardian is someone who takes over your parental rights. Normally, when a court appoints a guardian it means the parent is either dead or is having their parental rights taken away from them. With the standby guardian, parents can name a person who will take over parenting if the parent is unable to care for the child. Standby guardianships … [Read more...] about Florida Standby Guardians – 3 Questions
Average Americans That Really Need an Estate Plan
Many average Americans seem to be under the impression that they do not need an estate plan. The idea seems to be that if you do not have a palatial estate then there is no way you need an estate plan, right? Wrong. Virtually everyone has an estate when it comes to estate planning; basically, if you have property when you die, you have an estate. For someone who only owns a reclining chair and a … [Read more...] about Average Americans That Really Need an Estate Plan