Family and Parenting

Emergency Planning and Why a COVID-19 Emergency Packet Is So Important

Emergency Planning and Why a COVID-19 Emergency Packet Is So Important

December 3, 2020

COVID-19 infections are surging here in Washington and across the U.S. Experts predict infections will continue to rise, and many more people will become ill and require hospitalization in the coming months. CNN states more than 60,000 American’s will die from COVID-19 over the next few weeks. Therefore, it is crucial to protect yourself and prepare in advance if you become ill and unable to care for yourself. And the best way to do that is to put together a COVID-19 emergency packet as part of your estate plan.

Thanksgiving dinner with pie and rolls

It’s Your First ‘Single’ Thanksgiving. Here’s How To Make It a Happy One for the Entire Family

November 24, 2020

When you’re married, orchestrating and celebrating a major holiday like Thanksgiving can be challenging, and when you’re first divorced, even more so. However, there’s no reason why Thanksgiving needs to be sad following a divorce — for you or those around you. If you’re up for it, you can take steps to make the experience more comfortable, perhaps even better than it was before. I know because I, too, was divorced and once in your shoes. Here are a few ideas.

A church during a wedding

Getting Remarried? Avoid These Estate-Planning Mistakes

November 20, 2020

With a rise in “gray divorces,” it’s only natural that remarriage has become more prevalent among seniors. However, they also tend to be lax about updating their estate planning. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

A small sized play residential neighborhood

Should You Keep the Marital Home in Your Divorce?

November 17, 2020

When it comes to the family home, you have numerous choices to weigh before deciding, each of which could affect you and your family for years to come. It will behoove you to remember the difference between a house and a home during this emotional transition. Your house is a place where you live. A home is any place with you living in it.

November Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: Have You Completed Your Estate Planning Should You Become Mentally Incapacitated?

November Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: Have You Completed Your Estate Planning Should You Become Mentally Incapacitated?

November 6, 2020

Every 70 seconds, another American family is affected by Alzheimer’s. Too often, I witness Alzheimer’s and dementia care and estate squabbles that tear families apart. When there has not been the foresight and cooperative transparency regarding how the family wants the patient’s estate plan executed, chaos and legal entanglements can ensue, irreparably damaging family bonds.

Don’t Name Your Child As The Beneficiary

Don’t Name Your Child As The Beneficiary

October 15, 2020

When you have children, you’ll go to the ends of the earth to protect them and make sure they are safe and happy. It’s a major reason why parents buy life insurance — or the main one at least. Having life insurance means that if something happened to you, your children would be OK financially.
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Protecting Your Family Home

Protecting Your Family Home

July 26, 2020

For most families, a home is among their most valuable assets, both financially and emotionally. It is important to be thoughtful about how you are going to leave a home and to whom. If there are issues between siblings, tax considerations, or other family needs to consider, the parent should make an informed decision about what to do with the house and ensure that their estate plan reflects these wishes. It is particularly important to come up with a specific plan for your home.