As parents, we love our children unconditionally — we often think about what will happen to them when we are gone one day. Within these thoughts are nightmares of possible abandonment that our kids may face, and those scenarios can scare us to our core. Surely there are ways to plan ahead and prevent a bad…
Planning for the future is clearly an important step for a successful life. Planning for the future means actively thinking about things like when to retire, how to save for retirement, where to live, the costs of prolonged and predictable health decline and eventually yours and your husband’s end-of-life costs. These subjects, how you will spend…
In many families, the traditional role was for the husband to take care of insurance, retirement plans, estate issues and the like. For many, it is now the norm now that both parents, or spouses, take on equal responsibility for finances, planning, and care. And this is a good thing. However, it does require coordination, otherwise…
Military professionals often have to face the prospect of austere training environments, combat, overseas deployment, and unconventional missions. Because of these risks, the need to have something substantial for family members who are left behind is vital. In the case of female servicemembers, the need to have an excellent estate plan cannot be overemphasized. Why? Often,…
If you are planning a “me time’’ getaway this Fall now that the kiddos are back in school, having a sudden debilitating injury is probably the last thing on your mind. You are dreaming of palm trees and margaritas, not full body traction! That is fine — you should enjoy yourself during your well-deserved getaway. However,…
Many people do not have an estate plan if they become catastrophically injured. This is particularly true of those who are relatively young and free of health concerns. For some, perhaps most, the gamble may pay off. A person may stay healthy long enough for their children to become independent adults. But until this is…
An Advance Directive for Health Care is a scary thing to contemplate. It is the kind of easy form that no one wants to fill out. You have the fundamental right to consent to or refuse your own medical care. Most people guard that right jealously and do not waive it lightly. Still, accidents happen.…
Summer has officially begun, and while many are hurling themselves full-on into summertime fun, you are getting yourself and your minor children ready for the next year of school. If you are a single parent, an aging parent of young children, or anyone with concerns about their ability to care for those who depend on you…
For most parents, a question that might arise is “Who will take care of my child?” and of course, you think there is only one acceptable answer — yourself. In a perfect world, that’s right. In our society, however, anything can happen. You need to have a tough conversation with a professional about who might…
When it comes to estate planning, most people would prefer to think about literally anything else. Contemplating your death is not exactly a day at Six Flags. Even if you did the responsible thing and composed a will or formed a living trust, you can be forgiven for not wanting to revisit it on a…