The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in Northport Health Services v. Posey recently reversed a lower court’s decision to grant summary judgment in a wrongful death action. One son in the Posey family in this case had signed the admission agreement of his brother at a resident rehabilitation center owned…
Articles Posted in Estate Planning
A Quick Guide to Revocable Trusts
Estate planning is a difficult activity, but it’s a necessary one. Many people, however, that estate planning is only necessary for the richest of the rich. In reality, most people can benefit from some form of estate planning. There are a number of different options when a person begins…
How to Retain Control over Medical Decisions if You Become Incapacitated
One of the great challenges of estate planning is that most of the decisions made will be carried out after a person is no longer alive. For some people, this means that they need not worry about estate planning because they will not be around to see how it…
Estate Planning Advice for Remarried Individuals
No matter if you are in a second or subsequent marriage, individuals who have been previously married often face a number of unique issues that influence the estate planning process. As a result, it is critical to take these factors into consideration when performing estate planning. By following these…
Deciding what State Law Should Apply to Your Trust
There are a number of complex issues involving the creation and administration of a trust. One of these issues involves which state’s laws should apply to the trust’s administration. The best estate planning lawyers often discuss with clients the differences between available estate laws so the best possible results…
Is Aging in Place the Best Option for You?
Transitioning to a nursing home or assisted living facility is a difficult period for most adults. A recent study conducted by AARP even reported that 9 out of 10 Americans prefer living in their own homes as long as possible rather than switching to a nursing home. The concept…
The Role of Irrevocable Trusts: Taking Steps to Ensure that Loved Ones Receive Assets
One of the most important goals in estate planning is making sure that your assets are properly passed on to your loved ones. While irrevocable trusts at first glance might seem like they involve too much control, when utilized in the correct manner, they can be a valuable tool…
Supreme Court Hears Estate Planning Case
The Supreme Court recently issued a decision in a North Carolina case, which will likely have a limited but substantial impact on estate planning and tax-related issues. The case in issue concerned North Carolina’s taxation of Kimberley Rice Kaestner’s 1992 Family Trust for more than $1.3 million between the…
Important Things to Know about Estate Planning: Lessons from Gonzalez v. City National Bank
An appellate court in the case of Gonzalez v. City National Bank recently affirmed a probate court’s order that denied a plaintiff’s request after the death of plaintiff’s daughter that the remainder of a special needs trust be distributed to the plaintiff rather than the Department of Health Care Services. …
Avoiding Confusion about a Family Plot
Nobody likes talking about what will happen after their death. But it is a universal truth that every one of us will die at some time, which is why it is absolutely critical to create a funeral plan. One of the best ways to make sure that your loved ones…