When was the last time you reviewed your Estate Planning documents? Many people think creating a will, trust, or power of attorney is a one-and-done event. But in reality, laws change, family situations evolve, and what worked 5 or 10 years ago may now leave your loved ones unprotected. Let’s talk about why keeping your […]
Could the Supreme Court Undo Same-Sex Marriage?
What Same-Sex Couples Can Do Now to Protect Themselves Nearly a decade ago, the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, guaranteeing the same rights and responsibilities as opposite-sex marriages. That decision was a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ rights. But today, with a conservative majority on the court, questions […]
Understanding Common End-of-Life Signs and Ensuring Appropriate Estate Planning Is in Place
Understanding the common signs that a loved one is nearing the end of life can provide comfort and help families prepare for the inevitable. Recognizing these signs allows for meaningful interactions and ensures that appropriate care is provided during this critical time. Common Signs Indicating Approaching Death 1. Changes in Breathing Patterns Irregular breathing, known […]
Can You Donate Your Pacemaker and Other Internal Medical Devices When You Die?
If you have a pacemaker and/or an ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator) or know someone who has a pacemaker and/or ICD, please read this important article. Each year, approximately 2.5 million individuals all over the world will die due to the unavailability of pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators. This does not need to be the case, […]
It’s National Estate Planning Awareness Week — Take Advantage of this Important Week to Get Your Planning in Order
Dear Angel, I read somewhere that this week is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. How can I convince my family and friends that they need an estate plan? Thanks for your help! Planna Head — Dear Planna, Nearly 56 percent of all Americans do not have an up-to-date estate plan. And 40 percent of Americans […]
Age Gap Relationships: Ten Things to Know If You and Your Spouse Are 10 Years Apart
Alan Seidner, 82, and his wife, Carrie, 49, have been together for 26 years and married for nearly 21 of them. After splitting from his wife of three decades about a year earlier, Alan met Carrie at a work event. They knew their age difference would present challenges, so the couple handled tough topics early […]
Why Would a Married Couple Want Separate Trusts?
Dear Kiwi and Mango, My husband and I are ready to embark on our Estate Planning. This is the second marriage for both of us, and we aren’t sure whether to get a joint trust or separate trusts? I read somewhere that there is a benefit to separate trusts if one or both parties has […]
What Happens When You Die with No Will in Virginia, Maryland, or DC?
Over two-thirds of U.S. adults have no Last Will and Testament or Estate Plan, according to a recent Caring.com study. Dying without a Will (and without an Estate Plan that uses a Living Trust as a Will substitute to avoid probate) means that your state’s probate court will force the distribution of your assets according […]
How Should You Discuss Trusts, Inheritances, and Stipulations with Children and Grandchildren?
Q. I will be leaving my eight grandchildren money in trusts and have certain stipulations and incentives I decided to include. I’d like to talk to them and their parents about it, but I am not sure how to broach the topic and have an effective conversation and keep family harmony. Do you have any […]
Why Set Up a Trust for Your Children or Grandchildren?
If you are considering transferring wealth to your children or grandchildren, a trust is usually the best method. It is almost always the best way to protect an inheritance from potential depletion due to lack of financial acumen, lawsuits, divorce, bankruptcy, medical bills, and even nursing home bills. A trust also provides you with more […]
Why Would a College Student Need a Power of Attorney?
Dear Hayek, Our son is heading to college for his sophomore year in a couple of weeks. Last year, I was worried about him adjusting socially and doing well academically. Now that I know he is happy there, has a nice group of friends, and has been on the Dean’s List for both semesters of […]
Simplifying Things for Your Heirs
Dear Kiwi and Mango, I am in the process of organizing my paperwork. I was thinking that I should put anything important that my children would need in one place, to make things easier if something should happen to me. Do you have any suggestions for how to simplify things for my children? Thanks for […]
Say Goodbye to the Burdens of Timeshare Ownership
Q. I recently read in your article “Top Ten Things Your Children Want You to Leave Them and the Top Ten Things They Don’t Want” that the number one thing not to leave to a child or grandchild is a timeshare. You refer to a time-share as “the gift that keeps on taking.” I couldn’t […]
Leaving a Legacy for Your Children and Grandchildren
Dear Raider, I read Mr. Farr’s article about things to leave and not to leave your children and grandchildren this past Tuesday. Nothing was mentioned about leaving a legacy. I remember Legacy Stories used to be a service that the Farr Law Firm offered to clients, but I believe they are not as widely used […]
Top 10 Things Your Children Want You to Leave Them and the Top 10 Things They Don’t Want
When considering what to leave your children or grandchildren, many of you hope to pass on love, wisdom, financial abundance, and maybe a few precious family heirlooms. However, despite your best intentions, while there are some things your children would be happy to inherit, there are others that they hope not to be burdened with. […]
Comparing Financial Powers of Attorney: Badly Drafted DIY vs. Well-Drafted Documents
Q. My husband is a handy DIYer, and it has saved us lots money, in many instances. Now, he is insisting on doing our Estate Planning documents, including our Wills and our Financial Powers of Attorney, on his own. I am glad he wants to take the initiative, but I am thinking that this is […]
Comparing Revocable Trusts to Irrevocable Trusts: What’s the Difference?
Q. My husband and I have decided to get our Estate Planning in order. We’ve determined that a trust is the way we should go when it comes to Estate Planning. The question is: should we consider a revocable living trust or an irrevocable trust, such as the Living Trust Plus that you offer? What […]
Does Estate Planning Include Financial Planning, and Should Your Estate Planning Attorney Also Be a Financial Planner?
When you go through the legal process of Estate Planning, this includes you deciding: (1) who you want to receive any real estate, savings/investments, tangible personal property, and other assets of yours after your death; (2) who you want to put in control of making decisions and handling your legal and financial affairs after your […]
Making Seniors Wishes Come True and Planning for Charitable Giving
Dear Hayek, Every year, I give to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to help make dreams come true for children with critical illnesses. I heard there was a similar group for seniors and those in elder care facilities. What do you know about this? Also does the Farr Law Firm help seniors with charitable giving as part […]
Comparison of Elder Law Firms Based on the Size of the Firm
Q. My husband and I are looking for an estate planning attorney for us who is also a Medicaid planning lawyer that can help my mom and dad. We realized that some elder care planning attorneys in Fairfax, where we live, are one-person shops, while some Medicaid planning firms are large and do a bit […]
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