As you age, there's a chance that you may not be able to make health care decisions on your own. The same holds true if you suffer a serious injury or are struck down by an illness.And for this reason, it's imperative that you plan for the worst, while always hoping...
Michael A. Sawamura, Attorney at Law
Estate planning and your first child
There is nothing more exciting than bringing a child into the world for the first time. While your life is sure to change in many ways, there's nothing you can't handle with proper preparation.Estate planning may not be the first thing you think about after having a...
How to change your estate plan after marriage
Tying the knot will change your life in a number of ways, including your estate plan. Now that you have a new spouse, there are changes you can make to ensure that both of you are protected in the future.Here are a few points of consideration: Name your spouse as your...
What to do if your parents don’t have an estate plan
As your parents age, you'll have a lot of worries running through your mind. For example, it's common to have concerns about their estate plan.If you come to find that your parents don't have an estate plan, it's important to discuss your concerns with them. When...
What do attorneys look for to assess testamentary capacity?
Attorneys who aid clients in preparing their wills are required to assess that individual's testamentary capacity to execute such a document. The reason why lawyers are required to do this is because the decisions that you include here carry a lot of weight. If you're...
What is a testamentary trust and how is it different from others?
It's not uncommon for a decedent's heirs to question how they're going to keep on going once their loved one dies. Death is especially difficult for minor heirs. They may be prone to burning through what you leave them unless you put something in place to make sure...
Could you benefit from a living trust?
When it comes to estate planning, you never want to sell yourself short. You should do whatever you can to protect the well-being of you and your family, both now and in the future.And for this reason, it never hurts to learn more about the benefits of a living trust....
Durable financial power of attorney: Do you need it?
There is no legal requirement to create a durable financial power of attorney but with so many benefits, it's something to strongly consider.Through a durable financial power of attorney, you give another individual, known as a financial agent, the power to manage...
Anyone can believe one of these estate planning myths
When it comes to estate planning, there's so much gray area that it's easy to confuse fact and fiction. Unfortunately, if you believe a simple myth to be true, it can harm your ability to create a comprehensive, legally binding estate plan to protect you and your...
Take steps to prevent a will contest upon your death
When creating a will, it's natural to think about what will happen upon your death. After all, that's a big part of estate planning.This could lead you to consider the idea that a will contest could come into play. Since you don't want this to happen, here are some...