Tag: power of attorney
Guardianship Mistakes: Misunderstanding the Basics
Caring for an older adult with dementia or other serious illness brings on a whole new vocabulary and issues to learn about. Understanding guardianship and the legal rights of surrogate decision makers is usually at the top of the list. “What is the difference…
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 for People with Dementia
In November of last year, the Washington Post ran an opinion piece by an ER doctor titled “Doctors are torturing dementia patients at the end of their life”. Read the article here The doctor’s experience and perspective are not unusual. As Jane Brody of the New…
Make Estate Planning a Part of Your New Year’s Resolutions
It’s unbelievable, but 2019 is almost over. As we approach the new year, it’s time to start thinking about new year’s resolutions. This year it’s time to make estate planning a part of your new year’s resolutions. Like most people, you’ve probably been putting off…
Do I need an Advance Directive or a POA?
I have a healthcare power of attorney over my father, and I am the executor of his will. He lives in another state and is currently in a rehab facility. He has no cell phone and no way of communicating from his bed. Can I…
Top 4 Myths about POAs
We highly recommend that individuals complete a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Matters (or a POA for short). This important document is priceless in the unfortunate event of incapacity and is relatively painless to put in place. Despite its usefulness, many are still wary…
Warning: That POA May Not Be Accepted by the Bank!
Many family members are blindsided by this situation. They think they have everything in order so that they can pay the bills and access the accounts on behalf of their incapacitated loved one. So, they are shocked when a bank employee refuses to accept their…