If you looked into estate planning, as everyone should, you may have become quickly confused with the legal rhetoric of it all. Will, living will, trusts, health care surrogate, advance directives—it can all start blending. Today, we will help unravel some of these critical legal tools that play a central role in estate planning. In…
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Do I Need a Living Will?
While wills seem to get the bulk of the attention when people talk about establishing an estate plan, living wills are also a critical component of a strong estate plan. A living will is very different from a will, which is primarily used to designate how assets should be distributed upon a person’s death. A…
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Estate Planning Considerations for Those with Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s and their loved ones also face unique challenges in the future. It is a more common disease than some may think. The National Institute on Aging estimates that Alzheimer’s Disease impacts over 5.5 million Americans. The degenerative brain disease causes cognitive impairment that worsens over time. The nature of Alzheimer’s must be accounted for…
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Estate Planning Documents to Protect Your College Student
Back to school time is once again upon us. With the continuing spread of COVID-19, college campuses are either going fully virtual for classes or are opening campus with trepidation. Despite enforcement of CDC recommended safety precautions, no one can deny that going back to college this year has a new set of fears and…
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What Is the Difference Between a Guardianship and a Conservatorship?
There often comes a point in time where you will need to make a decision regarding whether a loved one has become unable to manage his or her own affairs. It can be a difficult time and a difficult decision, but it can also be necessary to protect your loved one. In Minnesota, guardianships and…
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Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Will
Estate planning puts important legal protections in place to secure a future you want for yourself and your family. A will is one of the most widely known types of estate planning documents. When it is properly utilized and drafted, a will can accomplish a variety of things beyond simply distributing your assets to your…
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What Are DNR and POLST Forms?
Health care directives such as a living will and a health care power of attorney are critical elements of a complete estate plan. They empower a person to memorialize extremely important health care choices while they are still healthy and of sound mind. Should you ever become incapacitated and unable to communicate your health care…
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What Should You Include in a Living Will?
Living wills and other advance health care directives provide instructions regarding your medical treatment preference should you be incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes for yourself. These critical legal documents are not just for the elderly. They are not just for the infirm. They are for everyone because life happens. The unexpected happens. Accidents…
Continue reading…Coronavirus and Senior Patient Health Care Directives
Officially deemed a “pandemic,” COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, has caused a wave of anxiety to pass over the U.S. and the world. While mild cases of coronavirus seem to resemble a bad cold, the flu, or some other type of respiratory illness that tends to circulate around this time of year,…
Continue reading…COVID 19 (Coronavirus), Your Family Needs a Plan, Part 4. Get a Health Care Directive
A Minnesota Estate Planning Attorney Explains Why You Must Get a Health Care Directive NOW! You can’t do everything to protect yourself or your family from the global pandemic created by coronavirus / COVID 19. But, there are some steps you can take to offer some guidance and assistance to others. Get a health care…
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