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 … [Read more...]
Procrastination and Estate Planning: How to Avoid These Disaster Scenarios
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 … [Read more...]
Critter Corner: 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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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. … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
Why You Don’t Want a Springing Power of Attorney
Q. My sister recently discussed the topic of power of attorney with her family at a family meeting. She is planning to use an online service (which I know is a bad idea from one of your recent articles on this subject) and is … [Read more...]
Is it a Violation of HIPAA to Ask Someone if they’ve Been Vaccinated?
Josie shared on social media that she and her teenage son and daughter just got vaccinated against COVID-19. In a conversation at the school, Mary shared that she saw Josie’s post and that the three of them got their first dose. … [Read more...]
95-year-old Becomes Oldest Organ Donor in US History
Cecil Lockhart was a 95-year-old veteran from West Virginia. He worked in the West Virginia coal mines for more than 50 years, and also served as a corporal in the United States Army during World War II. He was married to his … [Read more...]