The Alzheimer’s Association says that more than 55 million people are living with dementia worldwide. In the United States the figure for Alzheimer’s alone is nearly 7 million, on pace to hit 13 million by 2050. We all know...more
Wendy Williams’ ongoing legal battle over her financial conservatorship has reignited public debate on the complexities of incapacity planning. Although she allegedly executed a power of attorney (POA) in favor of her son,...more
We all make important decisions and engage in regular financial transactions without giving a second thought about our capacity to do so. But what if you suddenly lost the ability? What would happen? While most of us don’t...more
Because this writer is now of “that age” and the topic of senior mental infirmity seems to be a focal point of the 2024 Presidential race, I have been watching a podcast about powers of attorney and their cousins the...more
On November 7, 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Michigan’s House Bill 4644, which enacts the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA). This legislation will be effective on July 1, 2024, and is intended to:...more
I was driving to work on August 24, listening to Lady Gaga on my Pandora radio station, when suddenly, I had a strong urge to call my younger daughter, Hannah. We talk regularly, so it isn’t unusual that I call her on my way...more
From Britney Spears to Michael Oher, conservatorships have been a hot topic lately. There are many questions surrounding when a conservatorship or guardianship is appropriate and how that is determined. The words...more
Planning ahead for the unknown can be frightening and intimidating. However, our team is here to expel the spine-chilling misconceptions of advance directives, estate planning, and estate administration. Sally Brewer,...more
I wanted to start this essay by reference to history and so I grabbed my bedside copy of Sir William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765) to show that guardianship had ancient traditions. In one sense the...more
Congress instituted National Estate Planning Awareness week in 2008 to help Americans understand estate planning and its role in a person’s financial well-being. It’s a great reminder to organize, review and update your...more
What happens when someone who is responsible for an incapacitated family member or a minor child becomes no longer able to do so? For a Guardian serving under court ordered authority, the appointment process for a successor...more
By now, most of us have seen the media coverage and are well aware of Britney Spears’ controversial conservatorship case. Spears became “the international face of a movement,” which, according to the Wolters Kluwer article...more
Recent decisions by the California Court of Appeal have heaped stress on the owners/operators of residential care facilities for the elderly (“RCFEs”). RCFEs, like other businesses, would prefer to avoid the court system...more
Last Thursday, Britney Spears’ dad Jamie agreed to step down from his role in her conservatorship “when the time is right” after the Los Angeles judge hearing the case denied a request by Britney’s lawyers to remove him from...more
As trusts and estates litigation counsel, we often have matters where a fiduciary, either as a trustee, conservator, personal representative, or agent under a power of attorney, fails to provide financial information when...more
After creating and implementing a plan for your estate, it is important to regularly revisit your plan to ensure that it is still reflective of your values and goals for passing along your legacy. Seemingly small changes in...more
Many people think they don’t need “estate planning” because they don’t have enough assets to generate an estate tax; however, there are four basic estate planning documents everyone should have regardless of net worth. 1....more
Can a temporary conservator of a person effectively sign paperwork that admits the conservatee to a California senior living facility subject to an arbitration agreement? Only if the temporary conservator has special...more
If you’re like most people, there is a laundry list of things you’d rather do than think about your estate plan. While it can be a challenging area to discuss, your estate plan is essential to ensure you and your family are...more
COVID-19 has changed our lives in so many ways. Social distancing and wearing masks at the grocery store have become the new normal. We are all doing our best to make sure our families are safe, which in many cases has...more
Stepmothers are frequent characters in California trust and estate litigation, as they are in fairy tales and Disney movies. With about half of all marriages ending in divorce, there are many stepmother/stepchild...more
When children with disabilities turn 18, your ability as a parent to make decisions for their care and future become limited. Specific long-term planning decisions can help your family better plan for the future....more
In an article earlier this year we noted that at a large number of states had introduced legislation to address an emerging issue that is unique to our Information Age: how will our digital assets be accessed and used (or...more
The recently-proposed Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (“Revised UFADAA”) is a potential solution to a problem that most of us eventually will face: how will our digital assets be accessed and used (or...more