Estate Planning
Choosing the Right Durable Power of Attorney for Your Estate
What is a legal durable power of attorney (DPOA)? It’s one of the most critical decisions when planning for the future of your estate and personal affairs. Let’s explore what it entails and how to choose the right agent to protect your interests. Durable Power of Attorney 101 A durable power of attorney is a…
Read MoreSpecial Needs Trust vs. ABLE Account: Which One Works Best?
Do you know how to provide financial security for a loved one without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits? The two most common tools for achieving this are special needs trusts (SNTs) and ABLE accounts. How do you decide which option works best? Special Needs Trusts vs. ABLE Accounts A special needs trust is a…
Read MoreFinal Disposition Instructions for Digital Assets: Protecting Your Online Presence
Most of our lives are lived online, from social profiles to email accounts and cloud storage. Digital assets are a part of our estate, yet many people overlook them when creating a trust or will. Adding final disposition instructions for digital assets is crucial in the modern world. Including digital assets in your estate plan…
Read MoreWhy a Special Needs Trust for Adults Is Critical for Lifelong Care
Few tools are as powerful and profitable as a special needs trust for adults when protecting the future of a loved one with disabilities. These contracts are a cornerstone of lifelong care planning with a trust, offering peace of mind, financial protection, and long-term stability for individuals who may never be fully independent. What Is…
Read MoreCan a Living Will Cover Dementia Care Preferences?
We often associate living wills with emergencies like life support and feeding tubes. But what about something more gradual and deeply personal, like dementia? Can a living will cover dementia care preferences? This blog lays it out. Dementia Care in Advance Directives A living will is a type of advance directive, which is a legal…
Read MoreWhat to Include in a Final Disposition Instructions Letter
One of the most personal and often overlooked pieces of an estate plan is the Final Disposition Instructions Letter. This simple document tells your loved ones and your estate planning attorney how you want your body and remains handled after death. What Is a Final Disposition Letter? Many people assume their loved ones will know…
Read MoreIs A Power of Attorney Better Than An Executor?
Is a power of attorney better than an executor, and what’s the difference? Many people assume these terms are interchangeable or that one is more powerful than the other. However, each role has a different purpose in an estate plan. Executor vs Power of Attorney Responsibilities Let’s break down the differences and clarify duties. What…
Read MoreHow a Special Needs Trust Helps Preserve Government Benefits
Families often worry about how to provide long-term support without disqualifying their child or relative from essential government programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. That’s why a special needs trust is crucial. What Is a Special Needs Trust? A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a legal arrangement to benefit those with physical, mental,…
Read MoreWhy You Need a Mental Health Care Power of Attorney
What happens when you can no longer speak for yourself? In many cases, you need a mental health care power of attorney (MHPOA) to help make health care decisions and leave nothing to chance. What Does a Mental Health Care Power of Attorney (MHPOA) Do? A mental health care power of attorney is a type…
Read MoreDoes Probate Fall Under Estate Planning?
You may hear the term “estate planning” and immediately think of trust funds from ultra-wealthy individuals. However, the truth is much more commonplace. So, does probate fall under estate planning, and if so, how? If you have a bank account, car note, or even a modest mortgage, you have an estate. And unless you plan,…
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