To be valid and enforceable, a trust must be funded with assets of value, and it must have a purpose. In addition, it must have a trustee. The person who legally holds the assets. When you establish your trust, you are required to nominate your trustee. While not...
A common question often asked by people who want to hire an estate planning lawyer is, “How do I prepare for the first meeting?” Is the meeting in person? Is it virtual? Is it by phone? If it’s by phone, does the lawyer call me, or should I call them? What should I...
How much does an Estate Plan cost? This is a question many ask, even before they know what an estate plan is and what it involves. While I understand the reason behind leading with that question, no competent lawyer will answer it until they know what you want and...
How to Choose a Lawyer? Choosing an estate planning lawyer to work with is a personal experience. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve hired them for a business issue, a family law matter, a personal injury concern, or an employment-related question; great care should be...
What is a Deed and Why is it Important It is a legal instrument that transfers real property from one person or entity to another. The person who transfers the property is the grantor. The recipient of the real property is the grantee. Sometimes, the property is...
A power of attorney for finance is essential to a comprehensive estate plan. So, what is it, and why is it important? As with the agent for healthcare, the trustee, and the executor, the agent under a power of attorney acts as a fiduciary. This is someone authorized...
In 1996, the United States Congress enacted the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Its purpose was to provide guidelines for protecting patient information and privacy. HIPAA provides healthcare professionals with consistent and...
In 2020 when it appeared that the pandemic was ramping up, instead of dying out, many Americans got wise to the need for a Healthcare Directive. With so many dying from the coronavirus, it became apparent that preparing for death or incapacity was not just a concern...
It is a fiduciary relationship in which the grantor (sometimes called settlor, trustor, or trust maker) gives another party, known as the trustee, the right to hold title to property or assets for the benefit of a third party (the beneficiary). To be valid and...