| Choosing a Healthcare Power of Attorney |
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| Like a durable power of attorney for financial decisions, a healthcare power of attorney permits you to name a medical proxy to make healthcare decisions on your behalf when you are no longer able to do so for yourself. Similar to a living will, a healthcare power of attorney can specify what kinds of measures you want taken. You should be aware that states have different names for the same healthcare power of attorney, including medical directive, directive to physicians, declaration regarding health care, designation of health care surrogate, and patient advocate designation.More... |
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| Spousal Election |
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| One of the main purposes for making and leaving a will is to guide the administration of the estate of the testator--the person who made the will. A will should be written in language that is clear and indisputable. Alas, the language in a will may be unclear or vague. This article discusses the protection of the testator's surviving spouse from complete disinheritance.More... |
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| Executors - Investing Estate Assets |
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| After paying all of the estate's debts and expenses, or perhaps while waiting until it is time to pay them, what does an executor do with all of the estate's money? Is the executor responsible for actively investing the estate assets? Many people are under the mistaken impression he is.More... |
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| Probate --Beginning the Process |
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| When a person dies, the first thing that must be done concerning distribution of his property is to determine whether he left a will. In most cases, the spouse or children will know or have an idea that there was or was not a will. If not, a search of the deceased's papers and safe-deposit box may offer some leads. If the deceased had a lawyer or saw one before his death, the lawyer should be asked if he has any knowledge of a will.More... |
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| Constructive Trusts |
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| Trusts are sometimes classified by the intent, if any, of the settlor to create a trust. This article discusses the kind of trust for which the settlor's intent is irrelevant: the constructive trust.More... |
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