Many people come into our offices thinking that the estate plan we help them create will be quick, easy, and — above all — final for all time. They hope that once this item is crossed off the to-do list they can breathe a sigh of relief and never think about it again. For some… Read More »
Monthly Archives: June 2009
Michael Jackson’s Death Leaves A Legacy of Questions
Michael Jackson’s death on Thursday shocked the world. As fans and mourners line up to pay their respects (and snap up Jackson music and merchandise) the question now on the minds of many is: What will happen to Michael Jackson’s estate and to his children? It is still too early to know what legal steps… Read More »
A Matter of Faith: Advanced Health Care Directives and Religion
The subjects of life and death are not generally considered legal topics, but rather spiritual ones; they push us to examine the very nature of humanity and the existence (or not) of a soul, touching on our most deeply held beliefs. As a document that deals directly with these issues in the most personal manner,… Read More »
How Far Would You Go to Leave a Legacy for Your Children?
As an estate planning firm our job is to help people find the best way to leave an inheritance to their loved ones; but the inheritance you leave your children can end up making a huge statement about your core family values. When planning your estate it is important to ask not only “how?” to… Read More »
If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
“We are pleased to inform you of the result of the Lottery Winners International programs… Your address attached to ticket number 2051146 won in the second category, you have therefore been approved to receive a sum of 1,000,000.00 Euro. Congratulations!!!” You probably recognize the paragraph above from a common mail/e-mail scam letter. This letter (or… Read More »
Summer is a Time for Giving
Summer is a time for iced tea and watermelon, long days in the pool, vacations at the shore… and for many people summer is also a time to volunteer for your favorite charity. With school out and free time at a maximum the time is ripe to get to know your community—and contribute with a… Read More »
Communication is Key When Planning for the Future
How often do you and your spouse talk about the financial aspect of your retirement? For that matter, how often do you talk about finances in general? New Research by Fidelity has found that an alarmingly high number of couples barely communicate about their finances at all. In fact, “only 15 percent of couples feel… Read More »
New Website May Help Caregivers Breathe a Sigh of Relief
If you provide care for an elderly relative or a special needs child you know how much work is involved in just getting away for an afternoon or evening, let alone planning for their care if you were to pass away. First you have to find a caregiver qualified to handle your loved one’s more… Read More »
There’s No Place Like Home
The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home (or the decision to leave your own home and move to a nursing facility, if you are making the decision yourself) can be one of the most difficult and harrowing decisions we ever make. Stories about disreputable facilities where seniors are neglected or abused… Read More »
Internet Tools to Improve Your Personal Finances
The realm of personal finance is in the midst of being revolutionized. The crash on Wall Street has made many armchair investors mistrustful of professional financial advice, and many people are now taking the time to manage their own personal finances with the focus shifted from investing and earning to budgeting and saving. The problem… Read More »