Your estate plan is not just important to you but also to the people you included. Perhaps you named several close family members and friends as beneficiaries in your will. You likely have given the role of executor of the estate to someone you know. One of the...
Receiving an Alzheimer's diagnosis can be a life-altering moment, not only for an individual, but also for their loved ones. Even though you are likely feeling very overwhelmed right now, if you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, it’s important to consider...
When you’re advancing in age to the extent that you start considering your options for care, it is normal to be curious about your rights in the event that you become a nursing home resident. Understanding your rights is the first step to ensuring you receive the...
Most adults in Virginia have the legal authority to manage their own affairs. Once someone turns 18, they have their own financial responsibilities and control over their medical needs. Even if they still live with their parents, their parents can't control what they...
A will is a legal document that instructs how your estate should be settled. It likely names an executor and lists beneficiaries and assets. A will is a fairly straightforward legal document, however, it is not without flaws. For example, a will might be challenged if...
One interesting thing you’ll find when considering estate planning is that a lot of people haven’t done it yet. It’s not that they don’t think it’s important. They’re just planning on doing it at some hypothetical point in the future. One reason they’ll sometimes give...
When creating an estate plan, a power of attorney is a document that you can use to choose an agent who will act on your behalf. Although these can be used for many different purposes, they are often used either for medical reasons or for financial/legal reasons. In...
Adult children certainly can inherit their parents' assets. For instance, if your parents have made an estate plan, they may have left you and your siblings financial assets or tangible assets – like a small business or a family home. These things pass from one...
Estate planning allows individuals to leave a lasting impact through charitable contributions. This involves designating portions of an estate to be given to charities directly or through various estate planning tools like charitable trusts. Including charitable...
A DNR order is a “Do Not Resuscitate order. This can be used as part of an estate plan. A person who has a DNR order on file does not want to be resuscitated by medical professionals when they stop breathing or when their heart stops beating. This typically means that...
