Navigating Solo Aging with Dr. Gerda Maissel
Law Brief: Alexis Gruttadauria and Rich Schoenstein Discuss Why You Need an Estate Plan
U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals - Smith v. Odom - False Claims Act, standard, public disclosure - Fla Ag Comm’r v. US Att’y Gen - Second Amendment, firearms, medical marijuana - ...more
In the UAE, custody of children is governed by the UAE family law, consisting of Federal Decree Law No. 41 of 2024 on the issuance of the Personal Status Law which governs Muslims in the UAE (“Federal Personal Status Law”),...more
Every August, National Make-A-Will Month serves as a reminder of something most people would like to avoid. Planning for the end of life. Creating a will isn’t about dwelling on death. It is about taking control, protecting...more
Courts sometimes appoint guardians ad litem to assist minors or others. In DeSpain v. DeSpain, Consol. Case No. WD87182, 2025 Mo. App. LEXIS 398 (Mo. Ct. App. June 17, 2025), the court dealt with a lower court’s holding that...more
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
August is National Make-A-Will Month, a timely reminder for individuals and families to prioritize one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of long-term planning: creating a Last Will and Testament. While...more
When loved ones become incapacitated and have no estate planning documents in place appointing a guardian or conservator (or when replacement of a current guardian or conservator is necessary), Virginia law allows the filing...more
As attorneys, we all understand the critical importance of appointing a legal agent to manage financial decisions in the event of incapacity. Most of us have our own Powers of Attorney in place—and likely for our parents as...more
To many of us, our pets are members of the family. However, they are often overlooked in putting together an estate plan, where the traditional focus is on the disposition of a client’s assets and naming guardians for his or...more
Everyone should have an estate plan. Your estate plan is the roadmap in a crisis, providing guidance to loved ones on how to proceed and ensuring your wishes and goals are met. For those with young children or children with...more
Nearly 140 years ago, the United States Supreme Court first recognized that one who causes harm to another should not financially benefit from the estate of the harmed person. In Mutual Life v. Armstrong, the defendant was...more
Sometimes people going through divorce lack decision-making capacity. At times, the lack of decision-making capacity is the cause of the divorce. Other times, the incapacity occurred long before or after the separation, or...more
Marriages in the UAE are governed by the UAE family laws which include the personal status law and the civil status laws. The civil status laws include Federal decree Law No. 41 of 2022 governing non-Muslims in the UAE except...more
Estate planning involves preparing for an individual’s death, but just as importantly, it also addresses decisions and arrangements made during their lifetime. In Ohio, individuals planning for potential incapacity often...more
The past two years have brought a wave of legislative and judicial actions impacting the rights and recognition of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. According to the ACLU, over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the...more
If you have a loved one with special needs, you know that caring for him or her can, at times, feel totally overwhelming. Presumably, you have retained an attorney to guide you through the special education process in your...more
Join host Candace Dellacona in this insightful episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide, featuring Dr. Gerda Maissel, founder of My MD Advisor. Candace and Dr. Maissel discuss “solo agers” and the unique challenges...more
There is often confusion regarding mental capacity in the legal context. This is true not only for families but even for experienced legal professionals. Additionally, litigating issues of mental capacity can take an...more
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed to heirs or beneficiaries and debts are settled. While many estates pass through probate smoothly, disputes can and do arise—sometimes...more
In the first part of this series, we explored the various legal avenues available to grandparents seeking visitation with their grandchildren under Ohio law....more
Much has been written about courts invalidating instruments or transactions after a person’s death. Courts invalidating instruments or transactions during a person’s lifetime is discussed less often. A mechanism for doing so...more
Grandparents often play a vital role in a child’s life: offering love, support, and stability. But what happens when family conflicts, parental unfitness or other difficult circumstances put that bond at risk? In such cases,...more
Estate planning is a crucial process for anyone looking to protect their family and assets, but for families with a loved one who has special needs, it requires additional considerations. Without proper planning, a...more
Especially in the beginning stages of building a family, legal documentation is not often top of mind. However, for young families, establishing a comprehensive estate plan is an important and proactive step toward...more