Topics: Estate Planning - 9 results

It’s official: Jacob and Sophia are America’s most popular baby names. Once you’ve settled on a name for your new bundle of joy, it’s not too early to make legal preparations as your child enters the world.   Top 10 boys and girls names:   Boys: Jacob Mason William Jayden Noah Michael Ethan Alexander Aiden Daniel   Girls: Sophia Isabella Emma Olivia Ava Emily Abigail Madison Mia Chloe   Jacob has been the No. 1 boy’s name for 13 years, …

Congratulations! You’ve just created your estate-planning documents. That alone sets you apart from the majority of American adults, who haven’t done any estate planning. But your last will and testament, living will and power of attorney documents are of little help if your loved ones can’t locate them in an emergency. Today, let’s talk organization.   Location, Location, Location Your first instinct may be to store your last will and testament in a safety deposit box. After all, banks have …

If you are a gay, lesbian or unmarried heterosexual couple, have you considered what role you would play in your partner’s healthcare should they become incapacitated and unable to communicate? In critical situations, a hospital may only allow family members to visit a patient. If you and your partner aren’t married in the eyes of the law, will your access to your partner be restricted? Will doctors defer to the opinions and wishes of your partner’s parents? If you are …

  When you create a power of attorney document, you’re authorizing someone else—known as your attorney-in-fact—to handle certain legal, financial and business transactions on your behalf. The power of attorney document comes in a few varieties: A limited power of attorney contains restrictions. For example, your attorney-in-fact may be limited to handling just certain responsibilities or may only be authorized to act on your behalf during a specific period of time. In contrast, a general power of attorney gives your …

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Divorce sucks. Even if you’re happy to end your marriage, it can be a traumatic experience that turns your life upside down. And that’s not surprising, given that divorce shakes up your living situation, your finances and even your day-to-day routine. Even if you’re an organized person, it may take a year or two after your divorce to thoroughly disentangle yourself. Just when you think you’ve finally separated your lives, you’ll get a bill addressed to …