Depending on your exact circumstances, a living will can be an important part of your estate plan. It can make your wishes clear to your loved ones and your doctors, ensuring you receive the care you would want if you can no longer make your own healthcare decisions. Here are five important things you need to know about living wills:
For some people, a living trust can be an incredibly useful way to organize their assets as part of an estate plan. Not only is it an effective means of distributing your assets, but it can potentially have significant tax benefits and offer other useful protections. But what is a living trust, exactly, and what role can it play in your estate plan?
If you have been appointed as the executor of an estate, it may feel like you have been given an overwhelming responsibility. And while it can be difficult, especially if legal problems arise during the Probate of your loved one’s Will, you can make things much easier for yourself if you understand a few basic principles. Here are five things you need to know about being an executor:
A critical part of planning, beyond creating your last will and testament, is planning for the possibility that you may become legally incapacitated. Planning for incapacity ensures that your loved ones have everything they need to take care of you, if you become unable to handle your personal affairs. But what does it mean to be incapacitated, and why does it matter?
Ideally, when you probate a Last Will and Testament also known as a “Will”, there are no issues that require litigation. Unfortunately, there is always the chance that something may go wrong, leading to one or more heirs choosing to initiate a Will contest, questioning the validity of the Will or the capacity of the person who executed the Will. Here are five things you need to know about contesting a Will:
A testamentary trust can be an exceptionally useful tool for many people trying to plan their estates. However, it is not necessarily appropriate for everyone, and you should consider the benefits carefully, with the guidance of an experienced attorney, to see if it works for you. Here are five benefits of a testamentary trust you should consider:
For many people, a trust is an integral part of their estate plan. An essential part of creating a trust is appointing the right Trustee. The Trustee is responsible for ensuring that the purpose of the trust and its terms are carried out. The Trustee is also responsible for ensuring that the trust assets are managed appropriately. Here are five things you should know about appointing a Trustee:
According to a recent announcement from the New York State Department of Health, the implementation of a Medicaid homecare “lookback” rule has been delayed until at least March 31, 2024. This delay means that people who might have been ineligible for Medicaid homecare benefits due to the lookback rule may now be able to obtain those benefits. However, anyone intending to apply for Medicaid to cover their homecare costs should begin planning now, to avoid potential legal issues when the rule is finally implemented.
Anyone who has a loved one with special needs is necessarily concerned about what they can do to ensure their loved one will be cared for if no one is around to assist. Fortunately, there are certain steps you can take to provide for your loved ones through your estate planning, which can help to protect them legally and financially. Here are five things you can do to protect your loved one with special needs:
A Power of Attorney is generally considered an essential part of any estate plan, because of how important it is to protect your interests while you are still alive. Without one, you may find yourself in a legally tenuous situation that can cause endless grief for both you and your loved ones. Here are five reasons you should make sure to get a Power of Attorney as part of your estate plan:
“I want to take this time to thank Tanya and Keith for their professionalism and their ability to keep me calm during this process. Tanya was very helpful in explaining the whole guardianship process and my next steps. Despite my numerous emails, I never felt ignored or that they were growing weary of me. Even after being granted guardianship when I had an issue with the bank releasing money Tanya stayed calm and found a way to get what I was entitled to. I hope I never need to do this again but if I do, I will definitely come back to Tanya and her team. Thank you Thank you Thank you. Love from Bermuda.”
-K. Durham. (An attorney in Bermuda transferring a Bermudian guardianship to NY)