Long-Term Care Awareness Month

November is long-term care awareness month and InSight Law is taking the lead in spreading the word and promoting the importance of having a long-term care plan in place. Check out some of our recent articles on this important topic:

• https://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/long-term-care-why-you-need-to-be-prepared
• https://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/dont-let-your-long-term-care-insurance-lapse

In addition to those article, check out this informative video about long-term care:

Does Your College-Aged Child Have an Estate Plan?

If the answer is no, you need to take the time to sit down with them, hopefully along with your estate planning attorney, to draft a basic Last Will and Testament, durable power of attorney, and medical directive. At InSightLaw, we make the process as simple as possible by offering a straight-forward, no-nonsense estate plan for your child and access to a Docubank card so you and your child can get these important documents online. Learn more here:

Simple Estate Planning For Your College-Aged Kids

Inheriting a Large Estate Comes With a Myriad of Challenges

Many people mistakenly believe that inheriting a large estate is some wondrous thing akin to winning the lottery. All of sudden, you are presented with access to vast sums of money, large pieces of property, etc. Such assets can completely change your standard of living. Nevertheless, there are numerous “burdens” associated with inheritance. Learn about these challenges here:

The "Burden" of Inheritance

Simple Wills Simply Don't Exist

I published a blog recently discussing the misconception that a Last Will and Testament can be a relatively "simple" document. Obviously, estate planning attorneys strive to make a complex issue relatively simple so their clients can understand the ramifications of a tax or inheritance issue. However, it amazes me how many times a prospective client will say they want a "simple will" and then delve into the myriad business interests they own, the properties held in multiple states, and their three kids from two marriages. In that scenario, "simple" is relative.

Learn more here:   https://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-simple-will

Even Tom Brokaw Doesn't Know What's in His Estate Plan...

Savings Bonds - How These Often-Overlooked Investments Could Be Quite Valuable

Over $9 billion worth of savings bonds and $200 million in registered Treasury securities haven’t been cashed in by the owners, according to treasurydirect.com. Why is so much money simply in limbo? Well, many clients who purchased savings bonds decades ago, may have even forgotten that they purchased the bonds, or they received them as a gift from a relative and may have the bonds stashed away in a random cabinet or closet.

To learn more, check out my blog:
https://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/savings-bonds-a-hidden-gem-in-your-estate

What Will Be Your Facebook Legacy?

Facebook is now giving users the power to name a "legacy contact" who will be empowered to manage your profile after you pass away. In a sense, they're like a “Techexecutor.” The obvious benefit is allowing you to determine who manages your Facebook page. The current policy was for Facebook to simply freeze the account, which caused frustration and emotional stress for loved ones. 

Legacy contacts will have the power to write a post to display at the top of your memorialized profile page, change the profile picture, and even respond to new friend requests on your behalf. If they’re granted prior permission, legacy contacts can also download an archive of posts and photos from the deceased, but not the contents of his or her private messages.

To learn more, check out my blog here.

3 Mistakes Many Executors Make...And How to Avoid Them

I recently published a blog talking about three common mistakes that new executors make quite often. I want to help ensure executors avoid these preventable mistakes since these errors can have costly consequences. Check out the blog here:

3 Common Mistakes Executors Make and How to Avoid Them

Lessons to Be Taken from the Feud Over Robin Williams' Estate

I recently published a blog on the legal battle between the late Robin Williams' wife and children over many of his personal items and property. According to Mr. Williams' estate plan,  his Tiburon home went to his wife. However, her attorney contends that the home should not be “stripped” of the things inside of it, which Mr. Williams' estate passes on to his children. On the other side, Mr. Williams’ children argue they are entitled to the personal items which include a watch, some of Mr. Williams' suits, his awards, and so forth.

Is there a way to limit the risk of litigation occurring with your estate plan? Yes. Learn about some of those strategies by reading my blog...

http://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/the-williams-family-feud-lessons-for-estate-planning

You Need to Be Prepared for Long-Term Care

Many people who have an estate plan fail to properly address long-term care planning. By "long-term care," I mean care at a nursing home or similar facility. Such care is expensive, routinely costing over $100,000 per year. If you don't have long-term care insurance, you will either have to devote a substantial portion of your retirement funds to paying for the care, or you can properly allocate your assets so you qualify for Medicaid without having to be virtually broke.

Check out this article for more info:
 http://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/proper-medicaid-planning-is-essential-for-long-term-care

Estate Planning Truths Revealed

An article was published by the President of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys that revealed some important truths about the field of estate planning. Check it out here:

http://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/estate-planning-hard-truths

Estate Planning 101

Below is a video that provide important tips and guidelines on proper estate planning. If you like this video, check out my firm's blog here.

Living with Alzheimer's - A Devastating Disease

The video below was produced by ABC News featuring a 12-minute virtual "Alzheimer's tour." The tour provides a glimpse into what life is like with this awful disease. For more info, check out this blog I published on my firm's site: https://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/the-long-goodbye-living-with-alzheimers-and-why-you-need-an-estate-plan

Message to Small Business Owners - Important Tips on How to Limit Your Liability Exposure

It happens all too often - a small business is formed, but the owner of that business treats it like a hobby and fails to do any diligence in setting up separate accounts, following corporate formalities, etc. The result? If the business goes south, a court could "pierce the corporate veil" and hold that owner personally liable for all of the debts of the business.

For more info, check out this article:
https://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/limiting-exposure-to-liability-critical-for-small-business-owners

Tips to Protect Your Deceased Loved One's Identity

Identity theft is becoming a serious problem in our society. Millions of people discover opened accounts, loans and credit card debt that they never knew existed on their credit report. To make matters even worse, crooks don't prey solely on the living. Millions of people have their identity stolen beyond the grave. Criminals review the obituaries in the newspapers to target the recently deceased and try to steal their identities. I published an article recently with some important tips that can help protect your deceased loved one's identity. Here's a link to the article:

http://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/how-to-protect-your-deceased-loved-ones-identity

State Taxes - An Important Factor in Estate Planning

I recently published a blog about the importance of being prepared for potential state tax ramifications in your estate plan. So many people focus on the so-called "death tax" of the federal government but neglect the tax hit that their estate may take on the state level. Check out the blog here:
 
http://insightlaw.net/bobbys-blog/estate-planning-tip-watch-out-for-state-taxes