by Francine Ward | Jan 12, 2023 | Estate Planning
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...
by Francine Ward | Jan 11, 2023 | Estate Planning
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...
by Francine Ward | Jan 10, 2023 | Estate Planning
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...
by Francine Ward | Jan 9, 2023 | Estate Planning
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...
by Francine Ward | Jan 8, 2023 | Estate Planning
Most people have heard about wills. Many people are familiar with estate planning and the documents that make up the estate plan. They hear terms like wills, trusts, healthcare directives, HIPAA Authorizations, powers of attorney, and deeds and wonder, what are they?...