The Elimination of the Oklahoma Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
It is easy to mistakenly assume that naming a guardian in estate planning documents is only critical for individuals with minor children. In reality, however, appointing a guardian is just as important for parents as it is...more
Life can be unpredictable. Illness, injury, or cognitive impairment can strike without warning, leaving even the most organized among us unable to manage daily affairs. When that happens, who will pay your bills, manage your...more
I suspect that many of you, like me, have deleted an email from a friend that says he is away on a trip and needs you to wire him money. According to experts, despite increased phishing emails and robocalls, it is far...more
Author David F. Johnson recently presented his paper on “Undue Influence, Detecting Elder Abuse, and the Duty to Report Financial Exploitation” to the Austin Probate Bar Association in Austin, Texas, on May 20, 2022. This...more
The most powerful and flexible tool estate planners have today is the revocable living trust. It is essentially a substitute for a will that allows you to avoid the often lengthy and expensive probate process, while giving...more
Adult children often ask, do I have to pay for my parent’s care? That depends. If you have taken control of your parent’s assets and income, absent a provision in a durable power of attorney allowing you to gift your...more
If you have recently moved to North Carolina, you are not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 300,000 people who called North Carolina home in 2018 lived in another state the previous year. Whether your...more
Believe it or not, as of your child's 18th birthday, your child is an "adult" in the eyes of the law. With colleges and many businesses shut down due to COVID-19, your adult child might be living back under your roof and...more
Revocable trusts are an effective way to avoid probate and provide for asset management in the event of incapacity. In addition, revocable trusts--sometimes called “living” trusts--are incredibly flexible and can achieve many...more
Many states, including North Carolina, allow people to execute certain legal documents called Powers Attorney. In a Power of Attorney, a person, called the Principal, can appoint other trusted individuals, called Agents, to...more
When preparing for the future, seniors and their families can follow this check-list to ensure their needs have been addressed....more
As seniors age, many seniors believe that they should add an adult child to their bank account. Purely for ease and convenience, a jointly owned bank account would be a good way for an adult child to monitor a senior’s...more
If for any reason, you become unhappy with the person you have appointed to make decisions for you under a durable power of attorney, you may revoke the power of attorney at any time. There are a few steps you should take to...more