Imagine this: You’re suddenly rushed to the hospital after an unexpected medical emergency. Within moments, you’re unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself. While your family huddles around you, life outside the hospital keeps moving. The mortgage is due,...
Adults in Washington no longer draft living wills. Instead, they now establish advance health care directives. These documents have effectively replaced living wills and allow people to provide clear instructions about their personal medical preferences. People with...
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most devastating medical conditions associated with advanced age. It is a form of dementia that slowly progresses and eventually renders an individual incapable of living independently. People in the early stages of Alzheimer's...
In some cases, an estate executor reads the estate plan, passes out documentation to other family members, and then distributes the assets with no issues at all. Everyone simply accepts the plan as being accurate and takes the inheritance they have been given. But...
Business owners tend to focus on day-to-day operations and future growth, but planning for what happens to the company after their passing is just as important. Estate planning tools can help ensure that a business continues smoothly, avoids disputes and protects its...
When you are making an estate plan, you may find yourself thinking about the future of your beneficiaries. Maybe there are certain goals you want them to accomplish, or you are looking for ways that you can influence their lives. Perhaps you are worried that they will...
Employment makes a professional eligible for a variety of state benefits. People who contribute to different programs through payroll withholding or direct contributions as self-employed professionals may be eligible for benefits when they need them. Medicare is an...
Setting up a trust is a way that a person can ensure their loved ones get the assets they want them to have. Some of these trusts are irrevocable, which means they can’t be changed or cancelled once they’re established. Trustees are responsible for taking care of...
Planning for the future means more than signing documents, it’s about preserving your values and protecting the people you care about. For many, the hardest part isn't making the plan, but talking about it with family. These conversations, especially with adult...
Estate planning is often largely about the protection of other people. Testators want to provide for their dependent family members. They want to prevent their loved ones from fighting with each other. They draft documents that help ensure their loved ones have...
