Although there is considerable legal information and misinformation, it is generally understood that a last will and testament is the device used to distribute property after death. However, the why, how and when are less familiar.
As family caregivers, we play many roles: scheduler, money manager, house cleaner, health aide, nurse, navigator, nurturer and more. Perhaps the most important role, though, is advocate, as we ensure the best life possible for our loved ones when they are vulnerable.
The difference between power of attorney and guardianship is a common question asked by adult children. Both roles share a duty to provide care and oversight of medical care and health.
Few retirees have all of these documents that are crucial to their golden years — especially during a pandemic.
If you pass away without a will, a state court generally decides who gets your assets and, if you have children, who will care for them.
As a business person you may have seen the term “durable power of attorney” in several situations. Power of attorney is a strange term because it’s not immediately clear what powers an attorney for the business may have.
We have all seen the heartbreaking stories about people dying in hospitals from Covid-19 without family present. We’ve also heard about the tragic decisions healthcare workers must make when time and resources are spread thin. Compounding these sad situations is that often the person who can speak for the individual suffering from Covid-19 is not present because of hospital procedures designed to prevent contagion.
If you are caregiving from a distance (you live here and your parent or other loved one is in another state, a distant city or as close as an hour away), it can be even more daunting than doing it in your home.
Estate planning is the process of transferring the management of your assets, if and when you are unable to manage them yourself due to disability or death. Whether you have $100 or $100 million you should have an estate plan.
It’s difficult to go a few hours without interacting with a digital account. Whether that is email, online banking or social media, many daily tasks involve digital informational storage.