Part of making your estate plan may mean setting up a power of attorney. Remember that dividing assets – which you may do with a will or a trust – is only part of the process. You also need to take the time to put plans in place for your future medical and financial...
When you need to grant someone the authority to act as your agent and make decisions for you, a power of attorney can meet your needs. Contrary to common belief, you have more than one type of this legal instrument to choose from in California. The right one (or ones)...
You want to be prepared for the future – and all the possibilities that it holds, including the chance that you may be unable to speak for yourself and direct your own care at some point prior to your death. An advance health care directive is essential, but advance...
When you leave a will behind, your estate must go through probate. It can be an expensive, time-consuming court process, and your loved ones must wait until the end to gain ownership of their inheritance. In addition, your estate may be exposed to certain adverse...
Sometimes, estate planning is thought of as simply drafting a will that outlines the testator's final wishes. In truth, a will is just one of many estate planning documents. When drafting your estate plan, something you may want to consider is a power of attorney....
If you'd like to choose an agent to help you make medical decisions or to make them on your behalf when you can't do so, you can do this with a medical power of attorney. This can give someone who otherwise wouldn't be able to make these decisions the ability to act...
You may want to take steps to relate your medical wishes to your family and/or your medical team as part of your estate plan. There are a few ways to do this, such as creating a medical directive for the doctors to follow or using a medical power of attorney to...
People are often surprised when they find out that victims of abuse typically know their abuser. Usually, this is mentioned in terms of violence or sexual abuse. However, it is just as relevant to financial abuse. When someone is awarded power of attorney for someone...
Imagine that one day, due to an accident or illness, the court decides you are incapable of looking after your affairs. Even if you disagree and claim you are fine, they could award someone conservatorship over you. They could name a complete stranger. By naming a...
If your parent had Alzheimer’s, you understand first hand the complications this can bring. You may have had challenges dealing with their personal and financial affairs. You will also know that Alzheimer’s is hereditary. If a parent had it, the chances that you will...
