Caring For Our Elderly Parents Taking care of an elderly parent or grandparent is something that many of us deal with on a frequent basis. As Americans live longer, this is becoming more and more common. Dealing with our parent's care can be very emotional and...
I wrote the book on Minnesota probate.
Estate Planning
Non-Traditional Families Are the New Tradition
Times Have Changed Remember the TV sitcoms from the 1950s and '60s that are now being rerun on late night TV? The TV shows "Ozzie and Harriet" or "Leave it to Beaver" both told stories of families consisting of a husband and wife and their two children. These programs...
My Doctor Said I Will Die Soon-Should I Give Away My Possessions?
A Major Decision To Make When a person is informed by their medical professional that he or she is going to die soon, one of the major issues that he or she has to face is how to handle their bank accounts, retirement plans, real estate, and other assets. This News...
Does Your Living Will Really Protect You and Your Family?
An Important Estate Planning Document One of the most important estate planning documents is your Living Will. A Living Will directs what medical treatment and medications you should receive when you become disabled and cannot express your own wishes. Living Wills are...
Joint Account To Pay For Moms Care
Daughter Is Put On Elderly Mom's Bank Account Putting a sibling's name on Mom's bank account can be a very bad idea. The solution seemed simple, as Mom was in poor physical and mental health. Daughter Amy was put on as a joint owner on Mom's $300,000 account. Amy's...
Is My Brother Misusing Money Belonging To Our Elderly Grandmother
Brother Takes Care Of Grandmother's Finances Mary lives in Saint Paul with her grandmother Marjorie, whom she has taken care of for the past four years. Her brother, Richard, offered to take care of Marjorie's finances so the grandmother signed a power of attorney for...
Are You Making These Mistakes On Your Social Security?
Half Of All Eligible Americans Are Filing For Social Security According to recent studies, half of all eligible Americans, apparently worried about the future of social security or the current economy, are filing for social security at the earliest they can, namely 62...
Estate Planning To Avoid Lateral Transfer Of Wealth In Blended Families
What Happens After You Pass Away? When you die and if your spouse remarries, will your spouse's new husband or wife and the stepchildren inherit your children's share of the family inheritance? This may be difficult for some people to think about, but it is something...
6 Ways To Avoid Identity Theft
A Damaging Crime One of the most heartbreaking of property crimes is the current wave of thefts of identity. This crime is humiliating and emotionally devastating to the victim and his or her family. Besides that, it is also enormously costly to the victim's family...
New Year’s Resolution: Make or Revise Your Will
One And Done: Updating Your Will Is Easy! The tough thing about most New Year's Resolutions is that they require daily exercise, financial management, dessert denial, or other great effort. On the other hand, the great thing about the Resolution to make a Will is that...