Maybe you grew up without much. You worked hard. You earned a good education. You succeeded in life even though the streets weren’t paved with gold where you grew up. Maybe you even grew up in a very impoverished, oppressed community who may not have many assets. Now you (and your spouse if you’re married) have accumulated enough so you’re comfortable. Maybe you’re not a billionaire, but you feel like you’ve achieved a reasonable level of material success. After your death, you’d like to provide … [Read more...] about Leaving Assets Can Be Tricky
The Basics: “HIPAA” Powers
This is the third in a three-part series of articles on Powers of Attorney. The first article examined the Financial Power of Attorney. The second article examined the Healthcare Power of Attorney and Advance Directive. This third article in the series focuses on a “HIPAA” Power of Attorney. These three documents are the keystone in even the most basic estate plan. Power of Attorney Brief Review Earlier in the series, we saw that a Power of Attorney is a document by which you appoint someone as … [Read more...] about The Basics: “HIPAA” Powers
The Basics: Financial Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is part of even the simplest estate plan. A Power of Attorney allows your Agent to act for you. There are Powers of Attorney for financial matters and also those for health care. This is the first in a three-part series of articles on Powers of Attorney. This first article examines the Financial Power of Attorney. The second article will address the Healthcare Powers of Attorney. The third article in the series will focus on a “HIPAA” Power of Attorney. These three documents … [Read more...] about The Basics: Financial Power of Attorney
The Basics: Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Powers of Attorney are part of even the simplest estate plan. A Power of Attorney allows your Agent to act for you. There are Powers of Attorney for financial matters and also those for health care. This article concerns the Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives. This is the second in a three-part series of articles on Powers of Attorney. The first article examined the Financial Power of Attorney. This second article examines the Healthcare Power of Attorney and Advance … [Read more...] about The Basics: Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Beneficiary Designations, etc., Aren’t a True Substitute for a Trust
TOD / POD, beneficiary designations, and joint tenancy can be simple ways to transfer assets at death. However, these simple methods lack some of the benefits of a trust. Read on to learn more. by Steve Hartnett 0 Comments TOD (Transfer on Death) designations, POD (Pay on Death) designations, and beneficiary designations can be useful in the right circumstances. Each of these tools allows for an automatic transfer to the named beneficiary at the death of the owner. But these tools … [Read more...] about Beneficiary Designations, etc., Aren’t a True Substitute for a Trust