One of the more uncomfortable aspects of estate planning is deciding what will happen to your child if both you and the child’s other legal parent were to die unexpectedly. While the odds of this happening are low, the consequences of not naming a legal guardian in your will or a separate...
Category: Guardianship
Important Issues to Address Before You Leave on Vacation
Getting ready to embark on your next great adventure? Before you zip up the last suitcase, here are five issues you need to address to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Do you have a foundational estate plan? Has it been reviewed?
An estate plan is...
The Death of Anne Heche: Lessons for Estate Planning
Anne Heche’s recent accidental death was a shocking reminder of how the everyday can quickly turn into the tragic. While driving through the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles on August 5, 2022, Heche was involved in a car crash and succumbed to her injuries a week later. The official cause of...
Think Your Estate Plan is Complete? Make Sure You’re Not Missing These Important Points
Roughly two-thirds of Americans do not have an estate plan, according to a recent survey from Caring.com.[1]
If you are among the minority of US adults who have prepared a will, living trust, and other end-of-life documents, you may think that your estate plan is settled. But...
Make Sure Your Kids Are Prepared with This Summer Camp Checklist
Summer camps are expected to be back in full swing this year after two pandemic summers forced them to close or operate at limited capacity. Camp is a great opportunity for kids to make new friends, try new activities, and gain self-confidence and resilience. But as parents and counselors know, a lot...
Britney Spears: A Cautionary Tale about Conservatorships
Even if you do not listen to pop music, it has been hard to ignore the recent news about Britney Spears and the #FreeBritney movement trending on social media. What is this movement all about? And why should average Americans care?
In 2008, pop singer and superstar performer Britney Spears had a...
When is a living probate necessary?
If you become incapacitated, who is going to take care of you? You will not be able to make medical decisions for yourself and you will not be able to manage your day-today affairs. If you do not have the appropriate estate plan...
IRAs, Annuities and Guardianship: Providing for Your Minor Children after You Die
Deciding on a guardian for your minor children may very well be the most vexing decision you’ll make regarding your estate planning. Not only must you trust the appointed guardian to raise your children as you’d want them raised, but you also need that person to be financially responsible with...
Avoiding Guardianship When you are Incapacitated
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...
Name a Guardian for Your Child
We know it’s hard. Thinking about someone else raising your children stops us all in our tracks. It feels crushing and too horrific to consider. But you must. If you don’t, a stranger will determine who raises your children if something happens to you - your child’s guardian could be a relative you despise...