In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that about one out of every 150 American children had an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. The newest data from the CDC paints a much broader picture, saying that one out of every 88 children will be diagnosed with ASD. Even though autism is becoming a more common disorder in the United States, especially amongst children, there are still many widely held misconceptions about what it is and how it affects people’s … [Read more...] about April Offers a Chance to Better Understand Autism
Think About Asset Protection When Mom and Dad Need Elder Care
All seniors need to think about the possibility that they might have to transition to an elder care facility, such as a nursing home or independent living center. While younger seniors—those age 65 to 75—only have a 50% chance of moving to a nursing home, chances increases significantly as you age. By the time you reach 85 years old you have a 90% chance of having to stay in some kind of elder care facility. Because the cost of these facilities can easily exceed $50,000-$70,000 per year, it’s … [Read more...] about Think About Asset Protection When Mom and Dad Need Elder Care
2 Reasons Your Estate Plan May Need to Change
The new year is a good time to review your estate plan and make any necessary changes. For those who created a plan years ago and have not taken the time to update it, you may want to consider going back and revising it or adding new elements. The changes you may need to make don’t always come specifically because of changes in law, but rather because of changes in how we live and the continued advancement of technology. Computers Everyone who has an e-mail account, digital photos, or any … [Read more...] about 2 Reasons Your Estate Plan May Need to Change
The ICE Card: A Simple Precaution Every Person Should Take
Estate planning is about the law, your choices, and the possibilities you might one day face. As you begin estate planning it’s common to think about what would happen if you are involved in an emergency or accident. While you can never fully prepare for such a situation, there are some basic precautionary steps you can take that could end up not only being a great benefit, but which might actually one day save your life. One of these is the creation of an ICE card. An ICE card is a simple, … [Read more...] about The ICE Card: A Simple Precaution Every Person Should Take
General Norman Schwarzkopf’s Legacy: Legacy Planning
In December of last year former four-star general Norman Schwarzkopf died of complications arising from pneumonia. The general is most well known for his command of coalition forces during the 1990s Gulf War. Under the general's command the coalition forces, comprised of forces from 34 different nations, successfully invaded Iraq and, after only 100 hours of combat, forced a cease-fire agreement. General Schwarzkopf retired in August of 1991, shortly after the conclusion of hostilities. … [Read more...] about General Norman Schwarzkopf’s Legacy: Legacy Planning
Your Old Estate Plan – Updating it For Pets
A lot of people in North Dakota and Minnesota created estate plans when they were younger, primarily to protect their children and ensure a healthy inheritance. As people get older and their children grow up and move away, many of those who haven’t changed their plans in a while find that their needs and desires change. For a lot of these people their pets become very important to them, and providing for their pets after they die is something they want to add to their plans. If it’s been some … [Read more...] about Your Old Estate Plan – Updating it For Pets
Three FAQ about Keeping Your Estate Plan Simple
1. How can I tell if my estate plan is simple? One easy way of testing whether your estate plan is simple is to try and explain it. Pretend you are sitting at a bar or coffee shop with a very good friend and the topic of estate planning comes up. Your friend is starting to consider drafting his or her own estate plan and wants to know what you did with yours. Would you be able to explain it to your friend? For that matter, would you be able to explain it without the use of charts and graphs? If … [Read more...] about Three FAQ about Keeping Your Estate Plan Simple
How to Pick a Good Executor
Let's say you've finally decided to sit down, write your Will, and make all the hard choices that come with creating an estate plan. A key part of this process is selecting someone to serve as your executor, also called a personal representative or estate administrator. This person, or organization, will be directly responsible for the estate settlement process and can have a major impact on how much your estate will pay in settlement costs, as well as influence how long it will take before the … [Read more...] about How to Pick a Good Executor
A Key, and Often Overlooked, Estate Planning Device: The Prenup
If you mention “estate planning” to most people, you'll likely get either a blank stare or some notion of wills or even living wills. Even if someone has a will or an estate plan, they probably don't think of prenuptial agreements as playing any role in their plan. However, a prenuptial agreement, also known as a premarital agreement or simply a “prenup,” is a key part of some estate plans, especially if you're marrying for a second time and already have children from a previous marriage. Let's … [Read more...] about A Key, and Often Overlooked, Estate Planning Device: The Prenup
Death, Debt and Guilt – 3 Tips for When Creditors Contact You About a Deceased Relative’s Debts
Tip 1: Don't Sign Anything Though it is a rather abhorrent practice, creditors will often try to get a family member to pay for the debts a deceased person left behind. Some creditors will try to persuade the family members that they should feel obligated to pay, even though they are not legally responsible for doing so. They may try to ask, for example, for you to assume an unpaid credit card debt. Don't. You are under no legal obligation to pay for the debt a deceased family member left … [Read more...] about Death, Debt and Guilt – 3 Tips for When Creditors Contact You About a Deceased Relative’s Debts
