What are Advance Directives and Why Should Everyone Have Them?

    What are advance directives and why should everyone have them? Advance directives allow you to plan for the possibility that you may one day be unable to make your own medical and financial decisions. In doing so, there can be confusion about the differences between the various advance directives. Among the most important…

Drafting a Durable Power of Attorney that Lessens the Chances of Abuse

A durable power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents you can create, but it is also one that can be misused.  While it isn’t possible to entirely prevent the possibility of abuse, there are steps you can take in drafting the document to greatly reduce the chances. A power of…

Prevent Financial Exploitation of the Elderly Vulnerable Adult!

Sometimes called the “crime of the twenty-first century,” financial exploitation of the elderly is becoming rampant. Statistics show that one in every twenty seniors has been the victim of financial abuse of the elderly, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association (“NAPSA). Most of the abusers are family members, or close friends, and almost…

Avoid Living Probate: How to Keep Guardians and Conservators Out of Your Estate

While most proactive individuals know the importance of having a well-rounded estate plan, it is typically considered as something that will take effect after they have passed away. But there are in fact many ways in which comprehensive estate planning can have a positive impact on your life while you are still around to reap…

Sign a Power of Attorney Before It’s Too Late

In my last post to this blog, I explained why it is so important to put in place a durable power of attorney.  In this post, I want to emphasize why it is important to get that power of attorney in place before you need it.  If you wait until you need it, you’ll be…

Top Reasons Everyone Needs a Comprehensive Power of Attorney

The benefits of a highly detailed, comprehensive durable power of attorney are numerous. Unfortunately, many powers of attorney are more general in nature and can actually cause more problems than they solve, especially for seniors. This post highlights the benefits of a comprehensive, detailed durable power of attorney, including some of the provisions that should be…