Holidays are a time for joy, laughter, pretty lights, great decorations, and delicious food. We gather with friends and family, we connect with past acquaintances, we enjoy festivities and special events. And in the middle of all the activities that go along with holiday seasons,...
Estate planning isn’t just about preparing for what happens after you pass away. You also need to plan for unexpected events that can occur during your lifetime. Every estate plan should include a power of attorney document. Naming someone as your power of attorney can help...
An advance directive is a legal document that explains your wishes regarding medical care. Advance directives are important because they help give your family peace of mind, reduce conflicts, and more. Let’s explore some of the main benefits of including advance directives in your estate...
At Phelps LaClair, we are often asked how long it takes for a trust to be distributed. In our experience as a second generation law firm, we know that the general rule is to have the trust distributed within a reasonable time. But what does...
When you put your assets into a Living Trust, you know that you, as the grantor, maintain full and complete control. You are also the Trustee. As a result, you get to decide what happens with those assets. And because you are the lifetime beneficiary,...
In a recent blog post, we discussed the importance of naming a financial durable power of attorney to act on your behalf in the decision-making process. That person is given legal authority to carry out any financial directives in your stead, should you become incapacitated...
During times of national crisis when lives are hanging in the balance, it is important to talk about things relating to incapacitation, end-of-life issues, and death. We know it can be a fearful and painful discussion to have, but it is better to have it...
The proliferation of social media platforms and their widespread use by billions of people has created a new, essential aspect in planning your estate. We all have photos and videos we have created and uploaded to the internet. Some have used streaming services to gain...
Estate planning is a strategic step to setting your finances and assets in order prior to incapacitation or death. Life has many unexpected turns along the way, and when we plan for them in advance, it saves time, money, and unnecessary headaches. The estate planning...
DIY, or do-it-yourself, has become a common phrase in modern language. And while a DIY attitude may work well to foster creativity for daily life, when it comes to estate planning, DIY can cause devastating complications—which is the last thing you want your family to...