Blog Author: Tereina Stidd, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Associate Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. America’s favorite tough guy, Bruce Willis, recently received a diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia or FTD which destroys the brain’s frontal or temporal lobes. The condition strikes individuals between ages 45 and 64 and is the most common form of dementia for those under 60. His diagnosis brings into sharp focus the importance of planning for incapacity. … [Read more...] about What Bruce Willis Can Teach Us About Incapacity Planning
Establishing Health Care Documents for Young Adults – A Mock Interview (VIDEO)
In this Vlog, Attorney Justin M. Kennedy conducts a mock interview with young adult Lauren regarding establishing important estate planning documents for health care. … [Read more...] about Establishing Health Care Documents for Young Adults – A Mock Interview (VIDEO)
Yes, You Need an Estate Plan! (VIDEO)
In this Vlog, Attorney Justin M. Kennedy discusses his new book "Yes, You Need an Estate Plan!" Justin illustrates in this Vlog that everyone over the age of 18 needs some sort of estate plan, and the documents which should be included in an estate plan can change over the course of someone's life. For more information on Justin's book, visit www.attorneyoffice.com/book. … [Read more...] about Yes, You Need an Estate Plan! (VIDEO)
Act in Advance to Prevent a Conservatorship
A lot of people think of estate planning as a purely financial endeavor. It is true that you have to facilitate the transfer of your monetary assets after you pass away. This is one important piece to the puzzle, but it is not the only one. In order to be comprehensively prepared for the inevitabilities that we will all face, you should consider end-of-life matters as well. With this in mind, we will share some information about incapacity planning in this post. Alzheimer’s Disease To fully … [Read more...] about Act in Advance to Prevent a Conservatorship
How Will You Age in Place and Be Able to Die at Home?
Blog Author: Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M. (Tax), Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. More and more Americans are dying at home rather than in hospitals. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, in 2017 29.8% of deaths by natural causes occurred in hospitals while 30.7% occurred at home. The percentage of people dying in hospitals has been declining for several decades. While in 1912 two-thirds of people died at home, this evened out in the … [Read more...] about How Will You Age in Place and Be Able to Die at Home?
Estate Planning: Make Today the Day
Studies are conducted periodically to gain an understanding of the estate planning preparedness of adults in the United States. Unfortunately, the results are never encouraging. Most people that are over 65 have a will or some other estate planning document, but a significant percentage of people in this age group do not. The vast majority of Americans that are under the age of 40 are completely unprepared. If you are a young adult and you are single, you should have a will or a trust, but … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: Make Today the Day
COVID-19 aka the Coronavirus: A Reminder to be Prepared
by Attorney Maggie A. LaBranch-Gonzales Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law If you’ve heard me speak in our seminars or workshops, or you’ve had the pleasure of meeting with me at the office, I can imagine you hearing my voice right now (kindly) reminding you that we all die. (Way to be blunt, right, Maggie?) But, seriously, for me, the most important part of Estate Planning is not necessarily what happens when you’ve passed away, but whether you are adequately … [Read more...] about COVID-19 aka the Coronavirus: A Reminder to be Prepared
How an Elder Care Law Firm Can Help
Elder Care Law Firms specialize in the issues that affect seniors. They are equipped to address the legal, healthcare, social and psychological needs of seniors and to develop a plan to meet those needs in an economical fashion that protects and preserves the income and assets of the elder to the greatest extent possible. How Can an Elder Care Law Firm Help You? If you are facing legal issues that include planning for Medi-Cal qualification, incapacity planning or end-of-life planning, an … [Read more...] about How an Elder Care Law Firm Can Help
End-of-Life Options Expanding in California
The following is an Article written by Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M., Associate Director of Education, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. California passed a new law permitting a physician to prescribe a life-ending drug for a terminal patient. The California End of Life Option Act is effective this June. It dramatically increases the number of people in the United States who live in a state allowing someone to choose to end their life with the assistance of a … [Read more...] about End-of-Life Options Expanding in California
What Is the Difference Between a Living Will and a Living Trust?
The one estate planning document that most people have definitely heard of is the last will or last will and testament. This is a legally binding document that you can use to direct the way that your assets will be transferred after you die. Because people equate a will with monetary asset transfers, some confusion can arise when it comes to the document that is called a living will. A living will is not a vehicle that is used to transfer financial resources. You would use a living will to … [Read more...] about What Is the Difference Between a Living Will and a Living Trust?
