Is a living will valid in all states?
Different Names, Same Purpose Advanced Health Care Directives, Living Will, Medical Power of Attorney … these are all terms for a document that has the… Read More »Is a living will valid in all states?
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Create Your Quarantine Routine
What do you think of when you hear the word “routine?” Does it make you think of monotony and boredom? Or does it make you feel serene, calm, and have peace of mind?
Up until a few weeks ago, every day was the same. Wake up, go to school/work, eat, school/work, come home, dinner, bed. That’s all changed and routines have flown out the window!
Just think about how powerful you could be if you tweaked your routine to allow more time for you to build your legacy in the world.
What happens to Alice if I die? A Look at Gertrude Stein’s Last Will and Testament
Gertrude Stein died in 1946, just three days after writing her Will. No one imagined that 21 years later, her life partner, Alice Toklas, would die impoverished, half-blind, and half-deaf. During the later years of her life, Alice relied upon the goodwill and solicitations of friends to keep a roof over her head. What went wrong with Alice’s Will that resulted in the of her life dying in poverty?
Is it worth creating an Advanced Health Care Directive if a hospital issues a blanket “do-not-resuscitate” order?
In March of 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic in NJ, it was been reported in several newspapers that there are whispers and some outright discussions about hospitals and states issuing blanket “do not resuscitate” orders for patients having coronavirus. Can hospital override the medical wishes outlined in your living will? If so, how? If not, how can you protect yourself?
How to talk to your parents about aging and dealing with their “stuff”
One of the biggest questions we get around the holiday season is … “How do I talk to my parents about their stuff?”
And this question is then awkwardly followed by, “Look, I don’t really want or expect anything from my parents, but I just don’t know what to do if they get sick or … fall down when I’m not home and …. you know…” and the person then trails off.
It’s hard to talk to your parents about them getting older and becoming more frail. Here are a few ways to start that discussion.
What about Wills that are Handwritten?
Handwritten Wills can be admitted to probate and administered just like any other written will. However, there are some critical differences in how a person is appointed as the personal representative for an estate where there is a handwritten will.
Can a Last Will and Testament be changed after a person dies?
It’s not uncommon for a person to want to change a decedent’s Last Will and Testament. The most common reason is, “Well, that’s not really what they wanted,” or “That’s not what they meant.” Those reasons are not enough to change a will after a person has died, which is why it is essential to get the Will right when it’s being created. Short answer? No, you can’t change a person’s will after they die. Long answer? It depends. (Hey, we’re attorneys, this is the default answer.)
How to travel internationally with your kids by yourself …
What happens if you want to take a parent-child vacation without the other parent. You know, just a girls’ (or boys’) getaway weekend to the Caribbean? You and your child are so excited about the sun, sand, beaches, and dolphin excursions. You’re all packed and ready to go. Your partner drops you off at the airport, kisses you and your child goodbye, wishes you a “bon voyage,” and drives away.
Khloe Kardashian tells Kim which sister she wants as potential legal guardian for True
Did you know that Khloe Kardashian named a legal guardian for her daughter True before True was even born? Khloe said that she had observed Kim’s parenting style, and she thought that Kim and Khloe had more similar parenting styles than Khloe and Kourtney did. During the post-episode interview, Kourtney said that Khloe would be changing her guardian nomination back to Kourtney in the future.
Khloe did the right thing when choosing a guardian. She forgot about family ties. She forgot about making people happy. Khloe focused on what is essential – keeping her daughter safe. She focused on having her daughter raised in a loving household. Moreover, she focused on a person who has a similar parenting style
Does a Last Will and Testament Avoid Probate?
When a person passes away, someone has to step up and take care of everything that the person left behind. The person who died is called the “decedent.” The person who steps up is called the personal representative. Everything that is left behind is called the estate.
The personal representative might be an executor who is nominated in the decedent’s will, or they might be an administrator who is allowed to apply under the statutes.
The person who wants to step up as the personal representative completes the application in the local County Surrogate’s office. If everything is in order, the representative will take an oath and be sworn in and designated to act on behalf of the decedent.