There may come a time when a loved one, such as a parent, is no longer able to care for him- or herself. As disappointing as this may be, you need to do the right thing by helping this person make sound decisions regarding their future. You may come to find that...
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Have you signed a HIPAA release?
Imagine you suffer from a catastrophic health event. Maybe you have a stroke or you get into a car accident that leaves you unconscious and incapacitated. Your sister -- who is the closest person to you -- arrives at the hospital and asks the doctor about your...
Potential problems for those executing powers of attorney
A loved one named you as the agent (also known as an attorney-in-fact) for his or her power of attorney (POA). Now the time has come for you to act on your designated responsibilities. When the person is no longer able to take care of his or her affairs, this role is...
Understand the challenges of serving as an executor
When creating an estate plan, there will come a point when you need to think long and hard about whom you name as the executor. While you may have many options, you need to make a final decision at some point. The first thing you should do is consider the many steps...
5 considerations if you’re the executor of an estate
Being the executor of a loved one's estate is no easy task and it's a very big responsibility. These responsibilities could feel overwhelming to the average California resident, especially if you've never served as an executor before. Consider the following if you've...
Incapacity planning: Things to keep in mind
There is more to estate planning than understanding what will happen to your assets upon your death. Forget about this for a second and turn your attention to incapacity planning. It doesn't matter if you are thinking about your own future or assisting a loved one who...
Late actor’s family battling over terms of trust, prenup
Less than a year after the sudden death of Alan Thicke, the popular actor's two sons are embroiled in a legal battle with Thicke's widow over his living trust and the terms of his prenuptial agreement with his third wife. The 69-year-old, perhaps remembered by most...
Know when to consider assisted living and conservatorship
Determining when it is time for a loved one to move into a nursing home is a tough process. Many people try to put this off as long as they can, but doing so can cause some hardships on the caregivers. Making decisions like this will sometimes take a team effort. Your...
Family legal battles over Casey Kasem continue
Many of our readers recall the bitter dispute between Casey Kasem's wife and his adult children in the year prior to his death. The former American Top 40 host was suffering from Lewy body dementia, among other medical conditions. Kasem's three oldest children from...
Experienced guidance when you’re seeking a conservatorship
A debilitating injury or illness can occur at any time, even to young and seemingly-healthy people. When people are no longer able to look after their own interests, whether due to dementia or some other condition, and they don't have an estate plan designating...