Legal Wills Blog - June 19, 2013
Aaron Thomas from Baby Talk 360 talks with LegalWills.ca CEO Tim Hewson about making sure you have a Will after you have kids... some great info on WHY you should have one:
The broken system of the Last Will and Testament
We live in a wonderful age of smartphones, social media, biometrics, geolocation and even “smart clothing”. There is however one industry that seems to have dodged the world of technology – the system of writing a Last Will and Testament hasn’t changed much in centuries. In fact, the law pertaining to Wills in the UK […]
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Can you break the service at LegalWills?
It is not surprising that we have critics of our service; after all, we are offering a convenient, educational tool, that allows you to write a Will, Power of Attorney and Living Will. We allow you to make unlimited updates to your documents for a tiny fraction of the cost of going to a legal […]
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I’m trying to think of a good reason to not have a Will….
The story of Roman Blum has puzzled me all day. He was very wealthy – to the tune of $40M. He had many friends and was a fixture of the New York social scene. He was an incredibly smart business man, and employed a group of professional advisors including accountants and lawyers. He was obviously […]
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5 good reasons to write your own Will rather than see a lawyer
I need to preface this article by clarifying what I mean by writing your own Will. I do not mean sitting down with a blank piece of paper, and I do not mean using a blank form kit that you may buy from a bookstore. Either of these approaches is an absolutely terrible idea. No, […]
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“How come your Wills are so cheap?”
This is one of the most common questions we are asked; “how is it that if I go to a professional Will writer – a solicitor or lawyer, they will charge me 20 times your price?”. How do we make your service so affordable? I think the most important factor is our sense of value […]
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Bleak House and your Last Will and Testament
I was recently reminded of the Charles Dickens novel Bleak House, which centres around the court case Jarndyce and Jarndyce. For those of you unfamiliar with the story; it tells of a legal battle over a large inheritance which is dragged on through the court system. In fact, it continues for generations until the case is […]
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My Life Locker
I read a great article last week entitled “10 minute guide to estate planning“. The article starts by framing the problem; everybody knows that they should have their estate planning in place, but only 44% had done anything about it, but then the article strips away the complexities and conveys three simple messages; Get life […]
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Why your next Will probably won’t be your Last Will
It is a mystery why most adults do not prepare their Will. We all know it is an essential document; it describes how the estate should be distributed, it makes somebody responsible to carrying out the directions (the Executor), it may name guardians for children, and set up trusts for minor children. Most importantly it […]
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The difficulties facing an estate administrator
We have written posts in the past about the importance of choosing the right person as Executor of your estate, and discussed the responsibilities that come with this position. There are two specific challenges that face an estate administrator that are constantly brought to our attention at LegalWills. The first is locating the Will. Almost […]
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Understanding Digital Death: Steps to Protect Yourself Online (Guest Post)
The following is a guest post from Will Eve of finder.com.au There’s a growing awareness about the downside of living a life so intertwined with computers. First there was the the personal computer, an instrument that made work easier for so many occupations, but we did get up and walk away from it when our work was […]
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News Headlines - June 19, 2013
Reduce Estate Tax By Making Gifts
You can do a lot to minimize your estate taxes before you die. One way is to make some gifts.
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Nightmare On Elm Street
Declining home prices and higher adjustable rate mortgage payments spell big trouble for some borrowers.
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Choosing The Right Financial Adviser
Like hiring a personal trainer, finding the right financial adviser can help whip your finances into shape.
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Pay Death To Go Away
Five ways to turn your wealth into health.
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Insuring The Future
Newlyweds need protection now more than ever.
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Taxes: Estate Planning
You can't take it with you, but you don't have to give it all to the government either.
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Estate Planning
Here are ten things you need to know about estate planning.
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Estate Planning In The Digital Age
If you died, could anyone access your online accounts? Here's how to protect and pass on your digital assets.
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You're Dead, Now What?
An estate plan will help your loved ones avoid delays, legal problems and uncertainty.
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Grandma's Got A Boyfriend, Now What?
The older you are, the more complicated your finances, especially if you're combining households.
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‘Today Show’ anchor Natalie Morales coming to Vail for Living Well event
VAIL —The Vail Living Well Summit founders, John and Jamie Stone, announced NBC News’ “Today Show” personality Natalie Morales will emcee the 2013 Vail Living Well Summit.
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Pain Free Living Will Have Magnetic Bracelets at Sonoma Marin Fair June 19-23
Superior Magnetics for Pain Free Living announces it will have magnetic bracelets for pain relief at Sonoma Marin Fair June 19-23. (PRWeb June 17, 2013) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/magnetic/bracelets/prweb10838659.htm
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Pain Free Living Will Have Magnetic Bracelets at Ocean Beach Chili Cook-off June 22
Superior Magnetics for Pain Free Living announces it will have magnetic bracelets for pain relief at Ocean Beach Chili Cook-off June 22. (PRWeb June 18, 2013) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/magnetic/bracelets/prweb10838665.htm
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Living a Good Life Includes Preparing for Death
Margie Jenkins apologizes for being slow to respond to a recent email, saying she has just returned from a cruise to celebrate her 90th birthday. Jenkins believes in living the good life, but for her, this also means planning for the good death. Like a lot of us, her views were shaped by her family experiences.
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Q&A With Chuck Slaughter, Living Goods Founder And CEO
Test ideas quickly and cheaply, and remember that widespread social impact cannot be accomplished alone. Those are two pieces of advice from one of Schwab Foundation's social entrepreneurs of 2013, Chuck Slaughter, the founder and CEO of Living Goods.
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Living standards will fall if we don't tax rich more: Cousins
A former Howard government adviser has warned Australia will need to increase taxes on its wealthiest families if it does not want standards of living to drop.
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Human Services Minister 'mortified' by plight of disabled man living in squalid Hobart home
Tasmania's Human Services Minister says she is "mortified" by images of a disabled man living in squalor, but was unaware of his plight.
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Britain's skid-row scrappers living in Murray shadow
They are Britain's skid-row tennis scrappers who get by on small change, chasing their dreams at far-flung tournaments in outposts like Burnie in Australia or Rimouski, Canada and An Ning in China.
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BMA Affordable Assisted Living Community in Chicago to Host Family Awareness Day Celebration
Churchview Supportive Living, a BMA affordable assisted living community in Chicago, is hosting a Family Awareness Day Celebration on June 20. The community serves low-income seniors, including those on Medicaid. (PRWeb June 16, 2013) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Assisted-Living/Chicago-Illinois/prweb10836273.htm
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Udupi: 'Solitaire' - the cutting-edge solution to everyday luxury living
Udupi, Jun 17: Buying a home is one of the biggest investments people make and this is true about most people. Therefore, taking the right decision in buying a home is quite crucial so that there is little to regret later on.
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Virginia medical systems embrace advance medical directives
The new emphasis on patient-centered care, prompted by the Affordable Care Act, is having a spill-over effect. More and more people are documenting what type of medical care they want and don't want through advance directives. "I call them life-planning documents. It sounds so much nicer. End-of life documents sound so distressing," said Andy Nea, [...]
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Advance directives let you have a say
When it comes to your health and the kind of medical care you receive, you want to maintain as much control as possible.
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Psychiatric advance directives: More patient engagement, better outcomes
In the past few months, Yvonne Hysick, PACT peer specialist for the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board, has helped nine clients complete advance mental health directives. All have schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder, she said. Within ...
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Pro bono attorneys serve senior citizens with creation of advance directives
Pro bono attorneys and volunteer paralegals gathered on a recent Saturday morning at Centennial Tower, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development residential facility, to serve senior citizens by creating needed advance directives documents.
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OLLI offers advance care planning workshop
ASHEVILLE — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will hold an advance care planning workshop 7-9 p.m. June 19 at the Reuter Center at UNC Asheville. The workshop is free and open to the public.
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Community Calendar
Submit your event at least two weeks in advance by going to events.savannahnow.com. You can also mail to Community Calendar, P.O. Box 1088, Savannah, GA 31402. Announcements are printed daily in the Accent section as space allows.
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Cabinet clears Mental Health Care Bill
The Union Cabinet on Thursday cleared the Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 that makes access to mental health care a right of all persons. Such services should be affordable, of good quality and avail...
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SU End-of-Life Care Research Garners Recognition
Salisbury University Nursing Professor Katie Hinderer was recognized at the National Teaching Institute held by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses for her research on the sensitive topic of planning for end-of-life care. Dr. Hinderer is available for media interviews on this subject.
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SENIOR SIGNALS: How to talk about a living will with your loved ones
Dear Attorney Tully: Thank you for writing the column about senior issues. I only wish my husband would read your articles. We are in our mid-70s and he is in failing health. He still does not have a living will. I think this could cause some problems if we need to make health care decisions. What can I do to get him to get this done?
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Obama orders list of foreign cyber-targets
Although the plan goes beyond previous directives, it doesn't mean the U.S. will escalate Web attacks overseas, the White House says. WASHINGTON — President Obama has ordered his national security team to draw up a secret target list for possible cyber-attacks, a major expansion of U.S. planning for disabling and hacking into foreign computer networks, according to a copy of the top-secret ...
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SENIOR SIGNALS: Ensuring that a power of attorney is legally effective
Dear Attorney Tully: I found a power of attorney form on the Internet. I was wondering if it is basically the same form that law offices use. Aren’t they all designed to do the same thing? I am a bit nervous that even though I would save myself some money, I sure don’t want to make any mistakes. Can you tell me what the differences are, if any?
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Chicago's next US attorney faces urgent dilemma
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago's next U.S. attorney faces a dilemma sprung from the twin evils bedeviling America's third-largest city.
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Lasting power of attorney is best route to take
AS the Government never tires of telling us, we’re all living longer. While this is obviously good news, extra longevity has a number of implications, such as a requirement for bigger pensions and more healthcare services for the elderly.
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Can Power of Attorney Status Add to my Debt?
A power of attorney can help you care for a loved one. But will their debt affect you?
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U.S. states, greens delay lawsuit, await Obama climate plan
By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Environmental groups and a dozen states and cities said Monday they will delay planned legal action against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying they will wait to see if the White House soon unveils a climate policy strategy. The attorney generals of New York and nine other states, along with three major green groups, had planned to sue the ...
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Is power of attorney responsible for debt?
Dear Debt Adviser, I am so glad you recently posted a question about an elderly mother. My mother has dementia. Eight years ago, she opened a credit card for a family member who has now declared bankruptcy. My mother only gets Social Security. I am her power of attorney. Any thoughts?
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I am worried that social workers will put me in a nursing home
I HAVE signed a power of attorney to my daughter, and I do trust her to deal with everything. But I am worried that social workers will ignore her and just put me in a nursing home where they want without me having any say, and I might be short of money or be left in difficulty.
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Power of Attorney
J. Wyndal Gordon has spent the last nine months calling Michael Brown a rat, but on Monday, he felt sorry for him.
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Damman: Ordinance illegally rids Marysville police and fire chiefs
A few seemingly harmless language changes to a city ordinance in Marysville turned into another challenge to the city’s proposed public safety department.
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Stuart Hall: Attorney General Reviews Sentence
The Attorney General is to examine whether the 15-month sentence handed to broadcaster Stuart Hall for sexually abusing young girls was "unduly lenient".
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LegalWills.ca News Articles
PRESS RELEASE: LegalWills.co.uk Launches DIY Online Legal Will Service
The new, online service from Legalwills.co.uk allows individuals to prepare their will, in the
convenience of their own home, for a fraction of the cost of hiring a lawyer.
A Last Will and Testament - The Worst Excuses For Not Having One
What should every adult have, but nearly three quarters do not?
An up-to-date Last Will and Testament.
Most people do not have a legal Will because of these top 10 excuses.
PRESS RELEASE: A Legal Will Does not Last a Lifetime
Most Canadians do not have a legal Will, but of those that do, most are not kept current.
The process of maintaining one's Will is extremely important, but with a lawyer it can be
inconvenient and expensive. A new online service by LegalWills.ca allows people to
maintain their legal Will conveniently and cost effectively.
Where There's A Will...
The one thing in life that is guaranteed is death, and
it is never too early to start thinking about your last wishes.
Living Wills
Death and dying-it's something that many people avoid talking about. But
refusing to talk about it and make your end of life decisions can cause
you--and your family--more grief and money than you may know.
Everybody's going to die, so we all need Wills
It may not be a pleasant thought to think about, but it happens.
Everyone will die, and not all of us will die peacefully on our
deathbed. It is vital that everyone, including teens, have a will.
Poll: More planning ahead for death, living wills
People are more likely these days to plan for their own death or talk to
close relatives about the subject that many have long been inclined to
avoid, a poll found.
Promoting Advance Directives
Society has paid a price for not recognizing the value of advance
directives.
End of Life Care
There are a great many care options for the last days of life. Emotional
and philosophical concerns, deciding where to receive care, and legal
documents (such as advance directives, a health care proxy, and a living
will) need to be discussed, decided, and legally secured to ensure you
receive the treatment you want.
Gay Wills: Giving You The Choice
Under current legislation, if you don't make a Will your gay partner has
no automatic right to your estate.
Wills Protect Children's Interests
Your will may be the most important document you ever create for your
children.
Clearing Up Estate Document Confusion
Few topics confuse investors more than figuring out what estate-related
documents they need. Living Wills, Living Trusts, and Powers of Attorney
are just a few of the terms that most find hard to define, let alone
understand.
Be specific about your final wishes
What is the difference between advance directives and DNR (Do Not
Resuscitate)? What should I do?
Legal Issues of Elderhood
There are four crucial documents each senior citizen should have: 1. An
updated and valid will; 2. A durable power of attorney; 3. A living
will; 4. A durable power of attorney for health care.
Living Wills Can Help In Hard Times
Q: My family and my doctor have been pushing me to sign a living will.
I'm not comfortable signing a living will at this time. Do I really need
one, or is this something I can do without?
Think About Your Estate Planning Checklist
You may think it's too soon to do estate planning. Yet, none of us can
predict the future - so you'll want to be prepared for anything.
Digital Inheritance Raises Legal Questions
As more of our personal lives go digital, family members, estate
attorneys and online service providers are increasingly grappling with
what happens to those information bits when their owners die.
Families Need To Communicate End-of-Life Wishes
What do "quality of life," "heroic measures" and "dying with dignity"
mean to you? What kind of care would you want if you were unable to
speak for yourself? What are your hopes and fears about the medical
treatments you might or might not receive? What makes life worth living
or, conversely, not worth living?
What Next?
So, you've planned carefully, consulted the professionals and have your
estate plan in order. Have you considered, however, what would happen if
you became incapacitated or died suddenly? Would your spouse, family,
attorney-in-fact or successor trustee know what to do?
Young, Single and in Need of an Estate Plan
Remember that hilarious episode of "Friends" where Ross convinces
Rachel, Phoebe and the others to sit down and write their wills and
designate durable power of attorney to each other in the event something
should happen to them?
Little Things Cause Big Problems After Death
Death and taxes. We can't avoid them. And though we talk about taxes,
death is a subject most of us avoid. We know it's out there and coming
this way. Yet, we don't discuss it.
End-of-life Issues
Few things are more unnatural than talking about the end of one's life.
It is a very uncomfortable topic to discuss with your partner, children,
family and sometimes even your health-care provider.
As a Life Ebbs, the Ultimate Family Quarrel
Many people will put off the writing of a Living Will thinking that
their family will be able to agree on the most appropriate care.
Countless press articles suggest that the 30 minutes or so that it will
take to prepare a Living Will is time very well spent.
Florida Supreme Court Decision Highlights
Importance of Getting Health Care Wishes in Writing
Elder Law Attorneys Offer Nine Tips to a Living Will, Health Care Proxy
and Health Care Power of Attorney
The Desperate Case of Terri Schiavo
The lengthy legal battle over the fate of Terri Schiavo in Florida has
heightened people’s interest in Living Wills and the Healthcare Power of
Attorney.
Get Cracking On Will
People, in general, are often hesitant to prepare wills. There's a
number of reasons for this.
Digital Wills Concept Tested in Australia
People have been known to hide their wills in some pretty unusual
locations, but concealing one in digital form inside a watch may take
some beating.
Member wins Six Feet Under DVD set during "Make A Will Month"
LegalWills.ca ran a "Six Feet Under" contest. This contest was to
promote the October "Make A Will Month".
PRESS RELEASE: PartingWishes.com
Introduces New Online U.S. Legal Will Service
PartingWishes.com announces a revolutionary new service, enabling
consumers to create and update their Wills over the Internet. Now, from
the comfort and privacy of their own home, all that a consumer needs is
an Internet connection and about 30 minutes to create a custom Will that
is legal in their local jurisdiction.
U.S. Online Legal Will Creation Service is now
Available
PartingWishes.com is pleased to announce that the MyWill™
service is now available for our U.S. members. (This service was made
available to our Canadian members earlier this year.)
A Death In The Family Brings Financial Issues
Here's a list of my top financial issues to consider when your spouse or
common-law partner (CLP) dies.
Canadian Online Legal Will Creation Service is now Available
Who will care for your children? Who inherits your house, your money, or
your prized baseball card collection? At LegalWills.ca we have
removed the obstacles to writing a Will. It is convenient, low cost, and
simple.
PRESS RELEASE: LegalWills.ca Launches Unique Internet
Estate Planning Services
LegalWills.ca has launched a unique portfolio of services that
allows consumers to communicate their final wishes to loved ones after
they have passed away. The interactive web site includes services for
describing funeral wishes, drafting a legal Will and preparing
multimedia messages.
Elders' 'Day-At-A-Time' Approach Neglects Planning
Senior citizens must ensure that their Will, Living Will, Power of
Attorney, funeral plans and healthcare directives are in order.
Family Feud Over Ted Williams Body
The family feud over Ted Williams' body deepened when his Will showed
that he wanted to be cremated, but the executor of his estate said the
slugger later decided to be frozen.
Wills Can Leave a Bitter Legacy
Poor planning, vague bequests may lead to family feuds, lawyers warn.
Stuart Adamson of Big Country dies without a Will
A number of high profile cases have made headlines in North America
which demonstrate the importance of writing a Will and keeping it up to
date.
Same-sex Partners Should Each Write a Legal Will
News articles highlight the importance of writing a will in same-sex
relationships.
More Than Half of Americans Don't Have a Will, Says New Survey by FindLaw
According to a recent survey,
59% of American adults don't have a will, giving them little control or input
into issues, such as what will happen to their assets and any minor children,
after they die.
MyMessages™ service goes live
LegalWills.ca unveils the MyMessages™ service, which allows members
to prepare multimedia messages to be delivered to designated friends and
family members after they have passed away.
CBC's Market Place attacks the Canadian Legal Will Kit
(also known as the Canadian National Will Kit,
the Canadian National Will Guide, and the
Complete Canadian Will Guide)
Consumer affairs TV show 'Market Place' attacks a product called the
Canadian Legal Will Kit, and questions the use of all Do-It-Yourself
Will kits.
Complete Strangers May Get a Share of Your Estate
Another case demonstrating the consequences of dying without a Will has
been reported in California. This time the California Supreme Court
reluctantly decided that a widow whose husband died without a Will must
share his property with his half siblings, even though he never knew of
their existence. |