The most basic reason for estate planning is to ensure that an individual’s wishes are carried out during incapacity and after their death. To do this, there are various legal documents and varying strategies that can be used, depending on the individual’s wishes, financial situation, and circumstances. One important aspect of estate planning involves legally …
The Importance Of Advance Directives In Texas Estate Planning Read More »
The Manchester Living Podcast’s Brian Levy recently hosted Jeff Kort, a Dallas-area financial advisor, and myself, Steve Holman, to discuss the ins and outs of elder law. You can watch the video right here, or look below for 5 important takeaways from our conversation.
5 Steps to Take to Set Up Health Care Documents, Including a Medical Power of Attorney, in Dallas, TX:
1. Identify trusted individuals as a power of attorney
2. Discuss your plan with those individuals
3. Find an elder law attorney who is licensed in the state of Texas.
4. Sign and deliver your medical directives
5. Stop worrying and live your life
As a family caregiver, we are constantly asked to set aside our own lives and priorities to tend to the needs of a loved one. Over time, this can take a tremendous toll on the caregiver – we can only be stretched so thin. A caregiver who is worn out, burned out and stressed out, …
Here’s an idea that sounds better than it is: Put childrens’ names on the parent’s bank account. That way, children can sign checks if parents can’t pay bills when they become ill. When the parents pass, the money goes directly to the children with no court involved. Simple. Simple does not mean good, however. Joint …
Senior adults can be more susceptible to identity theft than others. Identity theft is a crime that is on the rise. It involves a criminal stealing personal identifying information to create a new identity or to steal money from the victim. Senior adults are targeted for a few reasons. One reason is that they often …
Senior Adults and Identity Theft – How to Protect Against It Read More »
Guardianship and the Netflix Movie I Care a Lot I Care a Lot: True Story? Or Fiction? The recent film deals with a worst-case scenario, state-appointed guardianship. Question: Is the film I Care a Lot based on a true story? Could I end up in an elder abuse situation with a court-appointed guardian as an …
The New Normal is adult children who take care of parents—and parents who take care of adult children Many of us travel when we can to visit family we have not seen in a while. This family may be aging parents, or grown children who have started families of their own. Some of us, however, …
Modern Families – Caring for our Aging Parents and Adult Children Read More »
The Texas legislature created a standard, statutory form for the durable power of attorney. This is also known as a Financial Power of Attorney. This document, along with a Medical Power of Attorney, addresses circumstances when an individual is unable to make decisions for themselves. Individuals who execute these documents help their families avoid spending …
Updates to the Texas Financial Power of Attorney Read More »
Wondering whether you can name more than one individual as agent in your power of attorney (POA)? Worried you’ll make the wrong choice? This article contains all the information you need to make an informed decision about when shared agency is useful and how to use it properly. Definition of agent or attorney-in-fact: Principal The …
Pros and Cons of having more than one Agent under a Financial Power of Attorney Read More »