Diane, at age 80, resides in the home she has lived in for nearly 40 years. When she initially purchased the home after her husband’s death, it cost only $25,000 (and she since put in $45,000 in improvements); today it’s worth at least $675,000. Diane’s only child, Michael, moved in with Diane several years ago […]
Passing Along Your Values Along with Your Valuables
Q. My wife and I are approaching retirement, and we are updating our estate planning documents. We read something about writing a legacy letter along with our estate planning, where we leave more than material things to our children and grandchildren – where we pass along our values as well as our valuables. As a […]
Should new Virginia residents Update their Out-of-State Estate Planning Documents?
Dear Ernie and Janette, I recently moved to Northern Virginia from Florida to be near my children and grandchildren. Although I really miss the warmer weather, I adore having family close by. I went to an estate planning attorney when I was in Florida and got all my documents done. Do I need to update […]
Why Am I Left in the Waiting Room?
Patricia Hardy Johnson was the mother of three daughters: Kathy Wolens, Deirdre Mistri, and Carol Alexander. Prior to her death, Patricia Johnson maintained several investment accounts with Citibank worth nearly $850,000 that were managed by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (MSSB). Ten years ago when she fell ill, Ms. Johnson sent a typewritten letter to her […]
Estate Planning for Every Stage of Life
Q. I am a middle age divorcee who lives in a condominium complex with people of all ages, some who rent and others who own. My next door neighbors are a 60-year-old couple who have been married for 35 years, and on the other side of me is a single mom with a daughter in […]
What Should I do with my Valuable Collectibles?
Dear Ernie and Jannette, I have a huge collection of clown dolls that I haven’t had appraised, but I know are worth a lot based on Internet research. My adult children don’t want them because my grandchildren think they look creepy. How should I handle them in my Estate Planning? Thanks for your help Thea […]
Yikes! Our Top 10 Scariest Articles of 2018
Believe it or not, in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Special Needs Planning, there are some news stories that sound more like the scary plots of horror movies than real life. The topics can be so horrifying that suddenly, you need to turn on all the lights just to read the news stories and do […]
Downsizing So It’s Not So Overwhelming
Q. My parents knew it was time to downsize soon after my son (their grandson) Logan was born. They started to re-evaluate what’s important to them at this stage in life and decided that their health and family were more important than a larger home with a big backyard. Recently, they started getting their two-story […]
What if Nobody Wants My Stuff?
Dear Angel, I am thinking about moving to a senior living community sometime in the near future. So, now is the time to start figuring out what to do with the houseful of furniture, artwork, china, crystal, jewelry, and sentimental collections I won’t have space to take along. Last Christmas, I asked my children and […]
With the New Tax Law and Life Changes, it’s Time to Review Your Estate Plan
Q. Throughout the last decade, I have gone through so many changes in my life. Nine years ago, my wife passed away. A few years later our daughter got married, followed by my other daughter, followed by me getting remarried. Now I have a new wife, two son-in-laws, and five grandchildren. I heard as major […]
Estate Planning for Your Pet
Dear Bebe, I inherited a macaw from my deceased sister several years ago. My husband and I are in our 60s, but I know these birds can live long time and could be around a lot longer than us. I don’t know anyone personally who would want to take on the responsibility. What can we […]
The “Queen of Soul” and Other Celebrities Who Died Without a Will
Aretha Franklin, “the Queen of Soul” died on August 16, at the age of 76, from pancreatic cancer. Similar to many other celebrities as we will describe in more detail in this article, a recent court filing revealed that Franklin didn’t have a will (i.e., that she died intestate). Franklin reportedly had amassed a fortune […]
A New Docubank Feature — My Medical Snapshot
Dear Bebe, I carry around my DocuBank Card, and love the peace of mind of having it in my wallet. I have one concern, however. What if I was too incapacitated and in the emergency room. How would doctors know about my medical history, including the specialists I go to and the medications I take? […]
The Biggest Misconceptions About A Power of Attorney
Q. My lifelong friend, Peter, has an aunt who was never married and never had children of her own. Peter was the closest family member she had, but she was not a very trusting person, and didn’t trust Peter or anyone, especially when it came to money. When she was beginning to experience memory loss, […]
Your Last Wishes Can be as Unique as You Are
Katie was born on July 4th. She got married on that day also and gave birth to her son on July 6th (he was due on the 4th). She was in the military and is a proud American. For her, Independence Day and fireworks have special meaning. So, when she indicated her wishes in her […]
The Graduation Gift Every 18-year-old Really Needs
Q. My daughter, Becca, is graduating from high school next week and attending college in Richmond in the fall. We couldn’t be more proud of all of her accomplishments. We are thrilled that she is just a little over two hours away, and that she can bring a car to school, so she can come […]
When Should I Make Changes to My Incapacity Plan?
Dear Ribbit, I saw the unthinkable happen to a friend of mine in college, and like most college students, he didn’t have incapacity planning in place. I saw it as a sign and got my own planning in order. Now that I graduated, I am wondering– is an incapacity plan something that stays the same […]
Muddy Waters’ Family Still Singing the Blues: An Estate Plan Still Not Settled After 35 Years
Dan just turned 65 and is beginning to tackle the items on his bucket list. Recently, he was able to check off an item that was near the top—a trip to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras, see the French Quarter, eat a beignet at Café Du Monde, and listen to some of the best […]
Estate Planning for the Modern Family
Q. My family is not what many would consider “ordinary.” I am divorced and have been remarried for five years. I have a 40-year-old stepdaughter, a 25-year-old daughter, and a 10-year-old grandson, all of whom reside with us. My mother lives with us, as well, in a large home that I purchased with her, my brother, and his husband. Any suggestions when it comes to estate planning for my “modern” family? […]
What Happens if You Die Without a Will in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C.?
Q. I am retired and recently moved to the DC area to be closer to my daughter, her husband, and my three grandchildren. I have lived a pretty simple life, and don’t have a lot. Although I am now in my early 70’s, I have never done estate planning. After reading your newsletter and perusing […]
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