Forms for End-of-Life Care

Our seniors face a crisis of ignorance that could be life-threatening. The staff at senior living facilities likely don’t understand the forms that direct end-of-life care. In my experience, neither do the people who authorize or execute these forms. The MOLST, a DNR, and a Living Will documents are intended to guide care in serious […]

How Much Should an Attorney Charge for an Estate Plan? It depends.

You might ask a competent estate planning attorney what a typical package will cost. The answer should be: “I don’t yet know what you need!” You could drill down further and ask about the cost for a will, power of attorney, and medical directive package. The likely answer? “It depends.” “It depends” means the attorney […]

How to Make a Plan for Your Digital Legacy

In today’s world, our lives are deeply woven into the digital realm. From email and social media to online banking, streaming subscriptions, and cloud storage, we accumulate accounts and assets that outlive our daily use. Planning for what will happen to these digital footprints is as essential as planning for tangible property. A digital legacy […]

When Trust is Broken: Elder Abuse Within Families

Families sometimes steal from one another. Too often, the scenario involves an aging — perhaps cognitively impaired — person who relies on a close relative for support. This year, I encountered such a case involving a longtime client. Her child, the person she depended on most, placed her in a care facility, sold her home, […]

Paradise Lost: The Jimmy Buffett Estate Battle

Jimmy Buffett was known for his laid-back musical style and “Margaritaville” state of mind. Unfortunately, his legacy has become anything but chill, as his widow and estate manager are now locked in a bitter battle for control over his $275 million fortune. The relaxed island vibes have given way to anxiety-filled courtroom drama—and apparently, his […]

What Will Happen to Your Art When You Die?

Whether you have a carefully curated collection or just paintings bought as souvenirs from foreign travels, without proper planning and realistic expectations, your cherished art might end up in the trash or at a Goodwill shop. Many of us purchase paintings, ceramics, or sculptures to add beauty to our homes. Others acquire art believing it […]

Dianne Feinstein’s Trust Problems

Dianne Feinstein has many problems. She is a frail 90-year-old member of the United States Senate. In addition to her health problems, Feinstein is engaged in a lawsuit over trusts created with her late husband. We can’t avoid old age, but proper estate planning can help avoid family fights. Two separate lawsuits were filed in […]

Aretha Franklin Getting RESPECT

Imagine you are sitting on a couch at home. With pen in hand, you jot down notes about how your assets should be distributed when you die. You tuck the pages into a spiral notebook and shove the notebook under the couch cushions.  Perhaps you are just an ordinary Joe or Josephine or Aretha Franklin. […]

Housing God’s Ministers: Parsonage Explained

Rabbis and other clergy are less well compensated than comparable professionals with advanced degrees. Yet, clergy have one advantage over most other professions. A portion of clergy salary can avoid income taxation if deemed parsonage. Preferential treatment for clergy raises some questions. Yet, the tax benefit has withstood the tests of time and lawsuits. Perhaps […]

Trust and Your Adult Children

The most challenging question in estate planning is, “Whom do you trust?” The estate planning process includes the execution of several documents, wills, powers of attorney, and sometimes trusts.  Each requires naming a “fiduciary.” A fiduciary is someone you trust to handle your affairs when you are ill or after death. Who you choose to […]

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