Having an open conversation with your family about the kind of end of life care and medical intervention that you want is the best holiday gift you can give. A Happy and Healthy Family Until… Cathy and Mark are loving and close siblings who live…
Category: Estate Planning
Planning for 2021: A Little Different This Year
WOW! What a year 2020 has been! Well, I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a year unlike any in recent memories. We will all be happy to sing Auld Lang Syne and toast to a new year at midnight on Dec.…
Blended families: Avoiding future conflict
Today, due to divorce, spousal death and remarriages, blended families have become the new normal. Your new aging ”blended family” should consider specialized estate planning to avoid needless family drama and financial missteps. All families have their own unique dynamic. Combining families creates its own…
Aging alone: Make a plan for care
Today, seniors are living longer often with complex medical issues and a disjointed family support structure. During the month of October, we will look at aging for the 21st century “modern” family and explore the unique issues today’s seniors are facing. According to the US…
Pet trusts: Planning for your pets as part of your estate plan
In our September newsletter, we discussed the benefits of creating a pet trust. Today we will explore some of the intricacies of pet trusts as well as the importance of working with an attorney experienced in the creation of a pet trust. Planning for your…
Putting the Pieces of the Elder Law Puzzle Together: Why We Ask What We Ask
During your first meeting with an Elder Law Attorney, the attorney will ask an array of questions about your health, your existing legal documents, as well as your income and assets. You may be asking yourself, “why does the attorney need to know all of…
Complete Estate Planning: Powers of Attorney
One major component of a complete estate plan is a financial Power of Attorney. Although important, the financial Power of Attorney is often misunderstood. A financial Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to name someone to handle your finances — taxes,…
Complete Estate Planning: If you think planning is expensive…
Most adults do not have a complete estate plan. We know—it’s expensive, time-consuming, stressful, and overall unpleasant to think about. Not planning for your potential incapacity and your death is even more expensive and time-consuming. If you die without a will or trust,…
Complete Estate Planning: Advance Directives
No estate plan is complete without an advance directive. The Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare replaces the old living will and power of attorney for healthcare. It was adopted by the Georgia legislature and put in place by the Department of Human Resources…
Complete Estate Planning: Trusts
This is the year for finally establishing a complete estate plan! Part of your complete estate planning could include a trust. Some situations are best handled by a trust, but it’s not the right fit for everyone. In our practice we think it’s really important…