Caring for a loved one with special needs involves more than daily support. It also means planning for their well-being in the future after you’re gone. A special needs trust (SNT) is a powerful tool that can provide financial security without jeopardizing their...
When you draft a power of attorney, you’re turning over your rights to make certain decisions to someone else. For instance, if you use a financial power of attorney, you may give them the ability to pay your taxes or your bills, or simply to access your bank account....
An advance health care directive is an estate planning document that provides guidance regarding medical treatment. Individuals who experience incapacitation or medical emergencies can rely on their advance directives to guide the care that they receive. People can...
The purpose of a living will is to inform your doctors and medical team of your wishes regarding your treatment at the end of life. This is a legally binding document that allows you to maintain control over your life if you lose the capacity to make important...
Creating an estate plan might seem like a task for the elderly, but it offers numerous advantages for anyone, regardless of age or wealth. In Virginia, an estate plan can do more than just distribute your high-value assets after you pass away. Here are three other,...
The arrival of a new year often brings a sense of renewal and an opportunity to reflect on personal and financial goals. At the top of most people’s minds are resolutions to improve health, enhance careers or strengthen relationships. During this season of renewal,...
If you’re worried about your will or other aspects of your estate plan being challenged, then you should be proactive in heading off those arguments. Figuring out how to do that can be difficult, but with a little foresight and legal know-how you can better protect...
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are legal contracts that specify how marital assets will be managed if the marriage ends in divorce. Both address the division of financial assets, provisions for alimony and retirement benefits. The primary distinction between...
A fiduciary is someone who has been placed in a position of trust. In estate planning, this usually means managing assets. Below is a brief overview of some of the key fiduciaries in estate planning. The executor The executor of the estate is a fiduciary that has...
Every patient, including those advanced in age, retains the right to decline medical treatment and interventions if they choose to. One of the ways this is achieved is by getting a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR). Essentially, a DNR is an order that specifically...
