Healthcare treatment. Hospital preferences. End-of-life care. Some choices are too important to leave to chance—yet they often are. A recent poll found that only 46% of older adults in the U.S. had documented their...more
The United States is an ever-changing cultural landscape. As a nation of immigrants, we are a complex patchwork of individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing distinct ethnic, cultural and religious beliefs. Estate...more
Estate planning is a critical part of securing the future for any family, and for LGBTQ+ individuals, it is particularly important given the legal complexities and challenges that may arise in the current political climate....more
It is important for all adults to have advance directives in place to ensure that your wishes will be carried out if you become incapacitated. There are three basic types of advance directives: a living will, a health care...more
As a general concept, estate planning allows an individual to plan not only for what happens to his or her estate upon death, but also how his or her affairs are handled during life. There are certain documents that each...more
Many families are confident that they have made the necessary preparations to transition their wealth, businesses, foundation and family office to the next generation ... someday, when the time is right. We know that some...more
Without advance planning the task of determining an individual’s final wishes and administering a deceased’s estate can be time-consuming and expensive. Set out below is a summary of the various ways in which an individual...more
Celebrities like Jay Leno and Emma Hemming Willis (married to Bruce Willis) are speaking out about their experiences with guardianship and caregiving. If you are caring for a family member with dementia too, a time will...more
A comprehensive estate plan provides how your estate is handled in the event of death or incapacitation. It also establishes your desires for how medical and life-sustaining treatments are communicated and administered. ...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
Physicians and healthcare providers, like many others with demanding professions, often postpone or overlook their own estate planning and preparation. Estate planning is a fundamental process for individuals at any stage of...more
When we think about making plans to secure our future, generally the discussions revolve around education, career, family, and finances. Creating a comprehensive estate plan, including effective advanced directives, can elude...more
Acting as an agent under a power of attorney is a big responsibility and it isn’t something everyone can take on. It is possible to resign or refuse the position....more
Estate planning is the tool that allows individuals to control how their assets and lives will be managed in case of their incapacitation or death. One common misconception is that estate planning is solely for the wealthy....more
Estate planning experts usually cite the need to include advance health care directives in a comprehensive estate plan. But there’s often disagreement about the legal names given to those directives and their optimal use,...more
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended virtually all of our daily routines. Likewise, it has changed the way estate planning attorneys (and hopefully you) think about your Advance Health Care Directive....more
It is important to have advance directives in place, whether in the midst of a pandemic or not. All adults should have three types of advance directives. ...more
Naturally, COVID-19 has led to a large degree of uncertainty, which emphasizes the importance of having your estate plan in place – or establishing one if you have not done so already. ...more
In uncertain times like these, COVID-19 reminds us to be prepared for the unexpected. Do you have an estate plan in place? If so, now is the time to review those plans and make any necessary updates. If not, consider...more
Over the past few months, life has changed dramatically for a majority of North Carolinians. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for individuals to have estate planning documents, including a will, durable powers of...more
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an atmosphere of stress of a magnitude which is virtually unprecedented in most of our lifetimes. The reality of this crisis has forced many individuals to examine what they can do to protect...more
With the coronavirus pandemic, many people have asked, “what happens if I die without an estate plan?” Without a properly prepared estate plan, California does your planning for you. ...more
Friends and colleagues- My thoughts are with you during these uncertain times. First and foremost, I want you and your family to stay safe and healthy. Social distancing is a small price to pay for guarding the wellness...more
The COVID-19 virus, or Coronavirus, has thrown the world in to a tailspin. Businesses have closed their doors, once crowded streets are deserted and people are self-isolating in their homes. During this crisis, there are...more
Q: What is estate planning? Johanna Wise Sullivan: Estate planning entails planning for the care of your family and your assets in the event of your death or incapacity as efficiently and seamlessly as possible. This includes...more