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This article discusses the increasing prevalence of pet trusts in estate wills and the challenges they present for attorneys. Pet owners are increasingly viewing their pets as family members and want to ensure their well-being after their own passing. The article highlights the importance of clear instructions and oversight in pet trusts to avoid disputes and confusion. It also discusses two prominent pet care administration companies in the United States that assist attorneys in this area. The article provides practical advice for attorneys on including pets in estate planning, such as contingency plans and adequate funding. It emphasizes the need for regular oversight and expert consultation in handling pet trusts. The article concludes by discussing the role of pet care administration companies in ensuring the lasting legacy of love and care for pets. [Extracted from the article]

The likelihood of a corporate trustee doing so is negligible-when a corporate trustee makes a mistake, it generally has the wherewithal to make good; a misbehaving individual trustee might not. If a successor or testamentary trustee is close to the trust creator's age, then at the time when the trust creator is no longer able to drive the bus, the successor trustee may be unwilling or unable to do so as well. Trust companies may have very different service models, so the choice of one corporate trustee instead of another may affect how the client's beneficiaries will receive the trustee's services. Clients and advisors sometimes ask whether a corporate trustee will continue to hold the assets that are already in the trust when it takes over as successor trustee or instead sell all, most, or many of the holdings and reinvest in something else. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the use of technology in estate planning to improve efficiency and prioritize tasks. It highlights the benefits of using software tools for estate document drafting, net worth and account aggregation, estate document summaries and flow chart illustrations, and estate tax calculations and wealth transfer illustrations. The article emphasizes the importance of finding the right technology tools to maximize efficiency and create a consistent format for displaying client information. It also acknowledges that while these technologies can provide efficiencies, they may have limitations and require time and testing to find the best fit for individual needs. [Extracted from the article]

Three key findings follow, which sets the context of the disruption facing the estate industry: 1. 90 percent of estate practitioners predict client demand for advice about digital assets will increase. If clients are hesitant to use a password manager for personal use, the good old-fashioned way of password management still works. The following are examples of a few client personas: Basic users are clients who use email, but the use and purpose of the email must be explored. Digital Asset Entanglement: Unraveling the Intersection of Estate Laws & Technology, co-authored by the writers of this article and forthcoming by LexisNexis® in March 2022, proposes a client persona framework to navigate a client's digital universe. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the importance of elder care planning for individuals who are single or do not have close family members nearby. The author emphasizes that estate planning is crucial for singles and suggests drafting a durable power of attorney and appointing a health care proxy. It is recommended to choose someone who is financially savvy and trustworthy to make financial decisions, and someone with a health care background to make medical decisions. The article also mentions the importance of estate planning for singles with pets and the need to plan for estate taxes. [Extracted from the article]

Had such documents been in place, S.T.'s attorney and the trial court would have had an attorney-infact appointed by S.T. herself to look to rather than appointing the guardian ad litem to determine S.T.'s capacity and to make the settlement decision. The decision also does not address the fundamental issue of whether S.T. had the capacity to retain attorneys, but the 1515 Broad court emphasizes that S.T.'s attorney was acting in good faith. The New Jersey Supreme Court addresses appropriate procedures in the context of a court proceeding but does not necessarily address the responsibilities of a lawyer in a nonlitigation context, such as an estate planning lawyer. [Extracted from the article]

In the usual case, an unfunded irrevocable life insurance trust will rely on gifts from the trust grantor to provide the funds necessary to pay future premiums. The IRS had argued that because the family had discussed the intended use of the Crummey-gift funds, prior to any transfers by the grantor, there existed an informal agreement that the Crummey powers would not be exercised. Reg. § 25.2511-2(b) to irrevocable life insurance trusts containing Crummey powers that gave the sole beneficiary of each trust a general power of appointment over all trust property (including the lapsed property). [Extracted from the article]

The co-hosts of the Digital Planning Podcast (DPP), Justin Brown, Jennifer Zegel, and Ross Bruch, recently sat down with Suzanne Brown Walsh, a partner at Murtha Cullina in Hartford, Connecticut, a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estates Counsel (ACTEC), and the chair of the Committee of the Uniform Law Commission that created the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act (UEEPDA), and Professor Gerry W. Beyer, the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law at the Texas Tech School of Law, and an ACTEC fellow whom the Uniform Law Commission appointed as the Reporter for the UEEPDA. DPP: How does UEEPDA address the retention of nontestamentary estate planning documents that are executed electronically, and what are the requirements about who can hold and retain the documents? DPP: Under UEEPDA, what happens if someone signs electronic nontestamentary estate planning documents in a jurisdiction that has UEEPDA but then moves to a jurisdiction where it is not recognized?. [Extracted from the article]

As states loosen rules to assist attorneys in helping clients create and store offline and online e-wills, third-party document generation providers are also directly benefited. Rather than indefinitely close, many local probate offices have established virtual or remote probate procedures, which enable the appointment of personal representatives either by simply mailing their appointment papers to the probate office or by appearing "inperson" through video technology with the local officials. Such technology could better serve the needs of clients, streamline a probate practice, and enhance attorney-client interactions. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers suggestions on how people can help their aging parents with their finances. Topics discussed include the need to start the conversation with the parents regarding financial planning, with topics such as estate-planning and powers of attorney; the need to review the bank and credit card statements of the parents; and the need to assess their assets and income. Also mentioned is the need to take help from financial advisors if needed.

A LAWYER'S GUIDE TO ESTATE PLANNING: FUNDAMENTALS FOR THE LEGAL PRACTITIONER, FOURTH EDITION By L. Rush Hunt and Lara Rae Hunt (ABA Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division; 2018; 5150502; $89.95; member price $67.45) This book provides a helpful introduction to the basics of estate planning. Searching for additional resources in lawyer estate planning and end-of-life issues? Take a look at the ABA publications below, and check out the helpful links to website resources hosted by the GPSolo Division and the ABA. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses several important issues to put in mind with regards to a power of attorney. Topics covered include the effects of an improperly drafted, executed, or wielded power of attorney, advantage of a durable financial power of attorney prepared by an educated estate planning attorney, and convenience and control as the reasons to create a power of attorney.

The article discusses the significance of estate planning among older people. Also tackled are topics on the appointment of financial power of attorney, designation of an agent for health care and authorization for the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Charts are also presented regarding the preparing for old age or incapacity by state.

The article presents guidelines for priests about estate planning. Topics include the advance directive for health care form containing preferences for medical treatment, the Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, and the financial power of attorney. Particular focus is also given to the importance of estate planning.

The article discusses how lawyers should handle elder abuse to prevent the same. Estate planning is the main area in which attorneys are likely to come across elder abuse. Signs of physical abuse include injuries or a general lack of care; and financial abuse refers to the illegal or improper use of an elder's property, which results in a loss to the elder. It is stated that if an elder client wants to sign a power of attorney or will, the engaged lawyer should talk to the client in private.

The article discusses ways for planning digital assets in the U.S. It suggests that a client should develop an inventory and draft a document about what the individual wants with these assets. It mentions that they could consider using trusts, wills and power of attorney. It outlines the terms of service of several Internet service providers including Google Inc., LinkedIn Corp. and Facebook Inc. It also mentions some companies which offers various online services to support estate planning.

The article presents advice on planning for death. It is recommended that all consumers make out a will and update it to reflect major life events such as the birth of a child. Other topics discussed include life insurance, end-of-life documents such as durable power of attorney, bequests, estate taxes, and funeral expenses.

The article offers information on estate planning for members of the foreign service community. Topics include advance health care directive also called as health care proxy or power of attorney for health care document, creation of an estate planning inventory, and decision making in the estate planning process.

The article discusses issues related to estate planning and the implementation of a well-written estate plan by lawyers in the U.S. It examines the personal considerations of an estate plan such as funeral and burial arrangements, powers of attorney and an advanced health care directive. The significance of a will as the central and most important estate planning document is discussed.

Legislators in the DC metropolitan area (the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia-the DMV) monitoring legal developments in one of those three jurisdictions almost have to have familiarity with the laws of the other two. Estate Tax Exclusion Amounts and Portability Estate taxes continue to affect the DMV, and Maryland residents also face an inheritance tax. DC and Maryland scheduled increases in their estate tax exclusion amount to equal the federal estate tax exclusion amount. [Extracted from the article]

Starting with the basics, every lawyer should have an estate plan that includes a will, trust, durable financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, advanced directive or living will, and HIPAA release. In addition, the lawyer needs a succession plan for their law practice that includes a lawyer to help wind down the practice. The durable financial power of attorney will need to have a power to allow the holder of power of attorney to hire another lawyer to help wind down the law practice. [Extracted from the article]

Focuses on the importance of legal and financial documents during a family crisis. Benefits of an estate plan for the beneficiaries; Definition of a will and power of attorney; Requisites of an estate plan. INSET: Estate Planning Help.

"You might be able to arrange a free initial meeting at which the lawyer will tell you what to think about or provide a questionnaire that helps you pull things together", says Virginia McArthur, a retired estate-planning lawyer in Washington, D.C., and author of Let's Talk About Estate Planning. The study cites COVID-19 as a major factor in this burst of estate-planning interest, which wasn't limited to young adults. Here's a statistic that will raise a few eyebrows: The number of adults younger than 35 who have a will increased by nearly 70% over the past year, reports Caring.com in its 2021 Wills and Estate Planning Study. [Extracted from the article]

Discusses the increase in clients looking for lawyers to help create estate plans that provide for their needs during life as well as distribution of their estates after death. Need for sensitivity to indications of incompetency, duress and undue influence; Details on the power of attorney; Description of living wills and health care proxies; Appointment of a guardian or conservator to manage the clients' affairs. INSET: A Good Deskside Manner.

The article presents advice on tax and estate planning for couples who are not married. It is noted that this set of issues especially applies to gay couples living in states where same-sex marriage is not an option, but also applies to committed heterosexual couples who choose not to wed. Legal documents such as powers of attorney, cohabitation contracts, and wills are said to be particularly useful. INSETS: WHAT THE RING BRINGS;SIX RULES FOR SINGLES.

The article offers information on the power of attorney. It states that one can sign a power of attorney if he/she becomes disabled. It mentions that there are several problems associated with the durable power of attorney. It mentions that the Office of the Public Guardian in England has issued a booklet for offering guidance to people, who want to make their power of attorney. The author says that the power of attorney is a helpful tool in estate planning.

The article highlights the significant characteristics of the mandat de protection future in France. It discusses the factors that need to be considered by the practitioners when planning a long-term care solutions for the client's dependents in France. Furthermore, it explores the advantages of entering into a mandat de protection future and examines the individuals that could grant the new procedure.

The article discusses some court cases, rulings and regulations, literature and legislation related to real property in the U.S. In the case Murphy v. Murphy, the court exercised substituted judgment to approve an estate plan on behalf of a conservatee that effectively disinherited conservatee's son. Helen W. Gunnarsson's article "What's a POA Agent Worth?" discusses difficulty of ascertaining the amount of compensation that is reasonable for an agent acting under a power of attorney.

That means that our digital footprints will eventually outlive us, leaving family and estate executors to sift through the virtual remains - photos and videos, social media accounts, subscriptions, online bills - to access items of financial and personal value, pay final bills, and close accounts. What happens to your online accounts after you die depends on the laws in your state, the types of accounts involved and the terms of service governing the accounts. Google will let you select up to 10 trusted contacts who can access your Gmail, photos and more if your account is inactive for several months. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses estate planning for millennials. The author defines estate planning, emphasizes the alleged importance of durable power of attorney and advance medical directives, and examines the posthumous management and execution of digital assets such as videos, photos, and social media accounts.