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It’s an unfortunate and often hard reality to contemplate, but up to 80 percent of Americans will face a period of sustained disability before their deaths. What is harder is that most of those Americans will not have done even the most rudimentary planning for this event or for the extended care it will require. The truth is, long-term care (LTC) is expensive and we know that paying premiums...

One of the hardest balances to strike as a parent is when to step back and let your children create their own independence. Even when they grow into adulthood, they are still our kids. Wanting our children to be successful adults in today’s world means many parents are working to save for retirement while still providing for their children financially. If you are in this boat, know that you...

Since incapacity before death is an 80 percent probability, you should plan for it. And you should plan to avoid a conservatorship if at all possible. A conservator, sometimes called a “guardian,” will have much more power than someone with “power of attorney.” Once a conservator or guardian has been appointed over you by a court, you lose your liberty, along with considerable rights over your...

  Conner was born in Seattle, Washington and moved to California before attending law school. Conner received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and English Language and Literature from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington and his law degree from Whittier Law School. Conner also earned his Tax LLM from Loyola Law School and is currently working towards becoming a...

Forgive me, but I need to start this chapter with a statement that’s both brutal and true: A disability is often harder on a family than a death. Why? Because if you become seriously disabled, your loved ones will have to deal with many of the same legal issues as when you die, but they will also have to take care of you. A serious disability is not just difficult and draining for everyone,...

In my firm, we follow a highly defined process to make sure we’ve turned over every stone, followed up on every clue, leveraged our “lawyerly thinking,” and crafted the best possible estate plan for our clients. Our process happens to have ten steps. Your attorney may follow seven or fifteen steps. But make sure those steps can be fully articulated. If not, look elsewhere. Here’s a quick...

Two financial unknowns may erode our degree of confidence. Provided by Ascent Wealth Management Maybe you have been putting off planning for retirement because you think you have time, or you are not sure where to start. We are proud to share the following article from, Ascent Wealth Management, to help you manage your confidence and the uncertainties of retirement. Financial Uncertainties in...

Any significant asset can be threatened by creditors, predators, and major relationship shifts like divorce. A good trust will take into account the highly specific dangers faced by your circumstances—both during your life, and when you’ve passed that asset on to your heirs. Suppose you own an apartment building and you have hired somebody to manage it. When you die, you pass the apartment...

If you read through Mistake #10, you now understand how a mere “last will and testament” does not provide the vital mechanisms offered by a living trust. A will can be partly disregarded by a judge or indefinitely delayed by probate. A living trust offers you the chance to bypass many of the frustrations of the probate, conservatorship, and guardianship systems. Do not, however, be tempted...

2019 is here and it’s the year to finally tackle creating your estate plan so your family, loved ones, and legacy are protected after you pass. Is this something you have been putting off? Are you wondering why you need an estate plan? Are you sure your existing plan includes all of life’s changes? Here are some of the reasons why it is so important to get started now. Estate Plans Are For...