Articles by Attorney Marc Guertin
- Dementia Risks Offer Six Million Reasons to Plan Your Estate Now
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And according to the organization’s website by 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. Dementia, an umbrella term for a range of cognitive impairments affecting memory,Continue reading “Dementia Risks Offer Six Million Reasons to Plan Your Estate Now” - When Your Child Turns 18 They Are Now a Legal Adult – Without These Docs You Can’t Make Decisions for Them in an Emergency
Leaving the nest to pursue higher education is a momentous step in a young adult’s life. The thrill of new experiences, intellectual growth, and newfound independence is often at the forefront of college students’ minds. Yet, in the midst of this excitement, there exists a crucial but often overlooked aspect: the need for comprehensive healthcareContinue reading “When Your Child Turns 18 They Are Now a Legal Adult – Without These Docs You Can’t Make Decisions for Them in an Emergency” - How to Plan and Pay for Long-Term Care
Over the years I’ve learned that one of the major concerns for many of my clients is the thought of needing skilled nursing care in the future and wondering how they would pay for it. This is a valid concern because spending time in a long-term care facility can be financially devastating. Currently, this typeContinue reading “How to Plan and Pay for Long-Term Care” - Now Is a Good Time to Review Your Estate Planning Documents
I encourage you to find an hour of time and a quiet space in the next few weeks to review your estate planning documents. These might include Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives and Living Wills, life insurance policies, financial records and any other important documents. - A Basic Estate Plan Is Simple to Make
Every adult should have a basic estate plan that contemplates both life and death. The basic plan should include four key documents– a Will, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directive, and a Living Will which I describe briefly below. A Will, short for Last Will and Testament, can be a simple document distributing assets outright toContinue reading “A Basic Estate Plan Is Simple to Make” - Essential Tips for Estate Planning with Special Needs Beneficiaries
If there’s one thing you should learn from reading this article it’s that I strongly discourage people from establishing custodial accounts or leaving cash outright to beneficiaries with disabilities. If you do, the outright distribution of assets may cause unintended problems for the beneficiary. For example, when the assets of an individual with special needsContinue reading “Essential Tips for Estate Planning with Special Needs Beneficiaries” - If You Have Kids Under 18, Choosing a Guardian Is One of the Hardest But Most Important Decisions You’ll Make as a Parent
Parents today face many tough decisions. One of the toughest has to be, ‘Who will care for my children should I pass away or become incapacitated?’ Many parents struggle with choosing a Guardian for their minor children. And while that’s completely natural and understandable, appointing a Guardian is one of the most loving and responsibleContinue reading “If You Have Kids Under 18, Choosing a Guardian Is One of the Hardest But Most Important Decisions You’ll Make as a Parent” - What’s the Difference Between Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts?
The difference between revocable and irrevocable Trusts is pretty simple. One Trust is capable of being reversed, and the other is not. But that answer isn’t usually what my clients are looking for when they ask me this question. What they really want to know is, ‘What type of Trust is right for me?’ RevocableContinue reading “What’s the Difference Between Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts?” - My Kids, Your Kids and Our Kids – Planning for a Blended (Step) Family
A blended family or step family is often comprised of children who are natural to only one parent, as well as children that are natural to both parents. Planning for blended families focuses on several issues including disinheriting ex-spouses, protecting children from previous marriages, providing for the new spouses, providing for the children of theContinue reading “My Kids, Your Kids and Our Kids – Planning for a Blended (Step) Family” - I’ve been appointed Executor. Now What?
By Attorney Marc Guertin When a person passes away, their assets and estate need to be managed and distributed according to their wishes. This crucial responsibility falls on the shoulders of an executor. An executor is an individual or a professional appointed by the deceased person in their will or by a court to administerContinue reading “I’ve been appointed Executor. Now What?” - Estate Planning for Artists and Other Creatives
state planning is essential for everyone, but it can be especially important for artists and creatives. Not only do these individuals often have unique assets and income streams, but they may also have specific wishes for how their intellectual property and legacy are managed after they pass away. - The Power of a Basic Estate Plan
Never underestimate the power of a basic estate plan. Currently, the world is a complex place. Just because the world is so very complicated doesn’t mean that your estate plan must be. A basic estate plan focuses on a different set of “P’s” people, property and plans. Any good estate plan, basic or otherwiseContinue reading “The Power of a Basic Estate Plan” - Keep This in Mind When Choosing Guardians for Your Minor Children
Parents today face many tough questions. One of the toughest questions is, “Who will care for my children should I pass away or become incapacitated?” This is a complicated issue that many people struggle with. Even though it is a tough thing to ponder, parents should nominate a Guardian for their minor children in theirContinue reading “Keep This in Mind When Choosing Guardians for Your Minor Children” - How to Have Difficult Conversations with Your Parents About Their Estate Plan
According to a recent survey conducted by care.com, two out of three Americans do not have a will or other estate plan in place. The most common reason listed by the respondents was they “haven’t gotten around to it.” When you do not have a plan in place you give up a good amount ofContinue reading “How to Have Difficult Conversations with Your Parents About Their Estate Plan”