Today, February 18, 2020, is National Drink Wine Day. In honor of such an important day of recognition, we have decided to write on a topic that some may confuse with the art of wine tasting, decanting. While many wines get better with age, the same cannot be said for some irrevocable trusts. Maybe you’re…
When you establish a trust with your estate planning attorney, you will name someone to be the trustee. A trustee does what you do right now with your financial affairs – collect income, pay bills and taxes, save and invest for the future, buy and sell assets, provide for your loved ones, keep accurate records,…
After the 2018 passing of the legendary singer Aretha Franklin, her family and lawyer initially thought she had died without a will. But earlier this year, three handwritten wills—two from 2010 that were locked in a cabinet and one from 2014 that was hidden under a couch cushion—were found in Franklin’s home in Detroit. Franklin’s…
Even if you are currently the picture of good health, you may suddenly become too ill to make healthcare decisions for yourself or become unconscious after an accident, needing someone to stand in your shoes to make those decisions for you. A medical power of attorney is a crucial part of your estate plan that…
Estate planning can be a very difficult process. While it’s not brain surgery, making the decision to move forward with the planning requires us to face the fact that we will not live forever, no matter what magic lotion or special diet you prescribe. This thought can stop most people right in their tracks. Others…
In 2008, Congress recognized the need for the public to understand the importance and benefits of estate planning by passing House Resolution 1499, which designated the third week of October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Since we weren’t able to celebrate it in October, we plan to do so this week instead. According to…
