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 […]
Warren Buffett Explains How You Should Avoid Surprises When Your Will Is Read
Warren Buffett, 94, is one of the richest men in the world. He has put lots of thought into his investments, as well as his Estate Planning. Buffett, who recently updated his Estate Planning documents, plans to give away all of his wealth and has been doing so throughout his lifetime. According to Forbes, “Buffett […]
Yes, Probate Really Is That Bad!
When Sheila’s mother died with only a Last Will and Testament (Will) in place, she couldn’t fathom that she would still be knee-deep in probate a year later without an end in sight. Sheila often tells her friends and anyone who will listen that if she knew then what she knows now about probate, things […]
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 […]
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 a Typical Advance Medical Directive to the Farr Law Firm’s 4 Needs Advance Medical Directive®
Benjamin Franklin once said “(n)othing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Today (April 16) is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day for health care decision planning. And, in keeping with Franklin’s famous quote, each year National Healthcare Decisions Day is observed the day after Tax Day. National Healthcare Decisions Day is […]
Problems with Beneficiary Designations Part 3 — Usually They Take Precedence Over Your Estate Planning Documents, But Sometimes They Don’t
Note: This article is Part 3 in a series on the Problems with Beneficiary Designations. Links for the prior two articles are below and at the bottom of this article. Please click here to read Part 1 and please click here to read Part 2. Q. My friend, who is going through a divorce, is […]
How Can Patient Advocates Help on Your Health Care Journey?
Q. I recently came across a Next Avenue article where a 72-year-old woman was told she had a benign brain tumor and needed surgery. The surgery was supposed to be simple, and the family was told she’d recover quickly, but things did not go as expected. Once a healthy, active woman, the patient suffered from […]
Are Transfer on Death Deeds a Good Alternative to Estate Planning?
Q. I was recently discussing with my husband what would happen to our house in Annandale, Virginia when we are no longer around, especially since we don’t have our estate planning in place yet. One my friends’ parents recently passed away and the family was going through the nightmare of probate. I would never want […]
Why Should Millennials and Gen Zers Care About Estate Planning?
Dear Raider, I’m in my 20’s and have never thought about estate planning. My older sister recently told me at a family gathering that she has her estate planning documents in place. I don’t understand why she would want to do this at such a young age. What are some reasons why younger adults should […]
Jay Leno Files for Conservatorship Over His Wife’s Estate
TV icon Jay Leno and his wife, Mavis Leno, have been married for 43 years — and by all accounts they are still in love. Mavis, 77, suffers from dementia, and according to a recent court filing, she has been “progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years.” This is why […]
Does My Spouse Have a Right to a Share of My Home?
Q1. I am giving serious thought to my estate planning and to who I want to leave most of my assets to when I am no longer around. I am seriously considering leaving the bulk to my two children and not my spouse. I live in Virginia. Would this be possible or is my wife […]
Top Five Reasons Banks Won’t Accept a Power of Attorney and What You Can Do About It
Q. My aunt signed a Power of Attorney naming her son, my cousin Andy, as her POA. When Andy took it to the bank, he was told that the document had to be on the bank’s form to be valid. This happened in Texas, but I’m concerned that the same thing could happen anywhere. What […]
Procrastination and Estate Planning: How to Avoid These Disaster Scenarios
Q. My husband keeps procrastinating when it comes to wanting to do our estate planning. I brought up some things that could happen when someone dies without proper planning in place, but it hasn’t been enough to convince him. Can you share some truly eye-opening disaster scenarios to help me persuade him to get started? […]
My Mom Had a Will, But It Was Useless
Q. I always had a good relationship with my mother. We would have lots of open conversations and talk about almost everything! If she ever got sick or traveled overseas, she would remind me that she had a will, and I of course believed her and I assumed it was enough and that we were […]
How to Successfully Approach the Topic of Estate Planning with Loved Ones
Dear Raider, I’ve decided to get my estate planning documents in order, but I want to talk to my family first. Estate planning isn’t an easy topic to broach. Do you have any suggestions for how I can bring it up and what we should discuss? Thanks for your help! Khan Versashun — Dear Khan, […]
Why Are So Many Young People Having Strokes?
Stroke prevention efforts are most often focused on older adults. That’s because 60% of strokes happen in adults 65 years and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many don’t realize that strokes are becoming much more common at a younger age, as well. Let’s look at rapper Kid Cudi, who entered […]
Should People with Dementia Be Able to Die with Dignity?
Q. During a conversation the other night, my father said that if he was ever diagnosed with dementia that he wouldn’t want to live that way or burden the family. I know that Death with Dignity is legal in a growing number of states, but can people with dementia choose physician-assisted death in those states? […]
What are the Duties of a Health Care Agent?
Q. My sister, Tracy, told me recently that she is planning to get her incapacity planning documents in order and she asked me to be her health care agent. We aren’t super close but we are both the only family the other one has. Still, before I agree to taking on the role, I want […]
How to Be a Patient Advocate for a Loved One
Q. My father, Rick, has FTD (frontotemporal dementia — the kind that causes him to have behavioral problems such as aggression and lack of respect for the personal space of others) and also suffers from recurring urinary tract infections. On one recent occasion, his UTI was so bad that he was seriously delusional and the […]
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