Surgery reminds us to review our health care designations and documents As we get older it is likely that each of us will have a health situation of some kind – surgery or temporary hospitalization. Whether major or minor, these events serve as physical reminders to review our estate plans and our health care designations... [Read More]
Category: Health Care
Family Conflict in Estate Planning: Who’s in control?
Part 2 of our Series Sources of Family Conflict in Estate Planning Last week we wrote about Sibling Rivalry as one of the sources of family conflict in estate planning. To read that post, click here. This week we discuss another source – deciding who is in charge. When you create your estate plan there... [Read More]
Help Your Helpers
Last week I received a telephone call from an adult daughter who was in town from Atlanta as her mother had had a mini stroke and was in the hospital. The daughter was seeking to obtain a copy of her mother’s Healthcare Power of Attorney, aka Health Care Proxy. (This is the legal document where... [Read More]
Part 2: For richer or poorer: financial vows
“For richer or poorer…” those infamous four words that have been repeated in many spousal arguments and probably in many divorces as well. At the time we say them, we wish to give our partner and our children or future children, everything we have. However, when it comes to designating your financial helpers, one should... [Read More]
Part 1: In sickness and in health: healthcare vows
Healthcare Authorities: different from marriage vows Everyone knows the traditional marriage vows and the portion “for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health,” the words to indicate to your partner that you will be there through thick and thin. When people prepare their Estate Planning documents, they often name each... [Read More]
Sins of Our Youth & Genetics
Having been active in sports when I was younger and still being active today with ballroom dancing, hiking and working out, my body has nicks and wounds. I have received these wounds and damage over time. Also, I am a combination of the genetics of my parents, grandparents, and beyond. My mom and her father... [Read More]
I Don’t Want To Be A Burden
“I don’t want to be a burden” is a phrase I often hear from my Estate Planning clients. They don’t want to be a burden to their family or loved ones. They have seen how other seniors, whether they are friends or family, have been burdens to other family members who have taken on the... [Read More]
Change of Seasons
Beautiful colorful leaves are still hanging on many trees. Days and nights are cooler. It has been raining here in Western North Carolina. The lights of the day are shorter. Even on the clock, we have “fallen back” one hour. Fall is definitely here. The long warm days of summer with the bright green leaves... [Read More]
Lamar Odum has no Advanced Directives and an Almost Ex-Wife making the Decisions
Former NBA player Lamar Odum remains hospitalized and has come off of life support after a drug overdose. He was in a coma for 3 days. He remains on dialysis. He has no Advanced Directives – Healthcare Power of Attorney, Living Wills or Healthcare Designation. Further, he is still married to a Reality TV personality... [Read More]
More Storms of Life
We in North and South Carolina just went through heavy Storms, including heavy rains, over the past several days. Here in Western North Carolina we have been having rain off and on for more than ten (10) days. That was followed by very heavy rain over this past weekend. This rain has led to rivers... [Read More]