Preparing for the end of your life is one of those things you know you should do, but have you done it? According to a recent survey by Caring.com, a senior living referral service, only 4 in 10 American adults have a Last Will and Testament or a living trust. Maybe you are one of…
When created properly, a power of attorney, (hereinafter, “POA”), is a legally binding estate planning document that provides its creator (principal or grantor) the important ability to appoint one or more people to act on their behalf in areas such as managing property, making medical decisions, or addressing financial affairs. Alarmingly, approximately 50% of American…
By now you should be considering the establishment of an estate plan. Yes you…even you need an estate plan. While the term “estate” may sound ostentatious and unnecessary to many, the truth is every Missouri senior adult can benefit from an estate plan regardless of their wealth. An estate plan simply communicates the grantor’s wishes…
The challenge of placing a loved one in a nursing home or residential care facility is a topic none of us look forward to facing. Often, those moments are made all the more difficult when we recognize that our loved one requires a higher level of round-the-clock care that we are not able or qualified…
Legal disputes with contractors occur often and in some instances these disputes can involve your most expensive asset…your home. Liens and encumbrances involving contractors can be avoided if you choose contractors wisely. The choice of a reputable contractor is especially important for those on limited budgets, pensions and those receiving state and federal subsidies. The…
This article is written with senior adults, their family members, and their loved ones in mind because the signs of elder abuse are difficult to detect by the senior adult and even more difficult to detect by their loved ones and family members who have limited access or infrequent contact with the senior adult. A…
Digital assets are simply defined as content that is stored digitally. Some common types of digital assets include photos, music, videos, power point presentations, Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, logos and other branded graphics, audio files, PDF’s, and access codes to bank accounts, credit card accounts, investments, and the like. For some, these assets comprise a…
“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 1789. Benjamin Franklin was correct. Death is inevitable for all of us. As a result, each Missourian should…
The establishment of a solid estate planning package is essential, even for the rich and famous. Although adored by fans and showered with swag at ceremonies like the Oscars, celebrities as a whole seem no different than the average American when it comes to making estate planning mistakes. Just like many people who lack celebrity…
In the wake of a recent, controversial event occurring in St. Louis, Missouri involving attorneys Mark McCloskey and his wife Patricia McCloskey, who displayed guns in an attempt to protect their home and lives from trespass and harm, this article does not seek to express a political position on gun ownership and possession. Instead, it…
