A crucial part of estate planning is giving someone your financial power of attorney (POA) so they can handle your finances if you are incapacitated and unable to do so yourself. Many people assume that this person will also handle their Social Security benefits. ...
Caring For You In The Long Term
Estate Planning
How do you protect your young children with your estate plan?
Becoming a parent completely changes your life. Not only will your schedule and your budget shift dramatically, but your priorities in life and even the way you think will start to change. Your children can be a constant source of worry, as you want to keep them safe....
Don’t let a courtroom victory become a real-world loss
It's naturally devastating when a child suffers serious injuries in a birth-related accident, in a wreck or via some other means. As your child’s parent and protector, you have every right to file a lawsuit on their behalf. Once you win, what do you do with the money?...
Special needs planning can protect your child from abuse
Creating a special needs trust can be a smart move for parents with a child diagnosed with a disabling condition. The trust could help your child with independent living as they grow older by giving them extra support while still allowing them to receive state...
Can you leave everything to your pet when you die?
However much personality your dog or cat may have, it is an item of property in the eyes of the law, not a person. Therefore, even if you could be around to see your people’s faces when they open your will and discover that you are leaving everything to your pet, you...
What is the Medicaid spend down rule?
Medicaid spend down is a financial strategy. This strategy is used to help someone qualify for Medicaid when their income is too high or they have too many assets to do so at the present time. When you want to apply for Medicaid, you’ll see that you have to meet state...
3 ways executors can violate their fiduciary duty to an estate
Serving as the executor of an estate doesn't just require someone's time and commitment. It also requires that they put their own interests aside in favor of the beneficiaries of the estate. The executor of an estate and a trustee administering a trust will have a...
What are the odds you’ll eventually need long-term care?
Many adults don’t think that they’ll need long-term care in the future. The fact of the matter is that the older you get, the more likely you’ll need long-term care at some point in your life. Planning for this now can help you to ensure that your assets are protected...
The right estate executor protects your wishes and your family
If you have already taken steps to complete your estate plan, we offer our congratulations. Many people in Alpharetta, Georgia, put off this critical task for far too long. Getting started early allows you to feel secure in your choices. Now, you need only review your...
Does your estate plan cover all retirement possibilities?
Working out how much you need to set aside for retirement is not a precise science. While there are models to help you predict how much you will need to live in 10, 20 or 30 years, things can change. One mistake people often make when estate planning is to plan only...