| Kinds of Powers of Attorney for Finances |
| |
| There are two kinds of durable powers of attorney for finances: those that take effect immediately and those that take effect only upon your incapacitation where one or two doctors declare that you can no longer manage your financial affairs.More... |
| |
| Probate -- Closing the Estate |
| |
| After all tax matters for the estate are settled and all bills and expenses paid or amounts set aside, the executor may then prepare to distribute what is left to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the deceased's will, or according to the laws of the state if the deceased left no will. If there was a contest and a negotiated settlement, the executor would prepare to make the full distributions required under the settlement. (If there are lawsuits still outstanding against the estate, it is unlikely that distributions will be made until these are settled.)More... |
| |
| Coverage of Healthcare Directives |
| |
| By appointing a medical proxy, you can ensure that there will be someone to lobby on your behalf to get your wishes enforced, to make sure medical personnel know of your wishes, and to enforce your healthcare directives in court, if necessary.More... |
| |
| Inheritance Issues -- Widow's Allowances |
| |
| Every state has laws that offer some protection for the welfare of a surviving spouse and, to a lesser extent, minor children of the deceased in cases where the deceased did not provide for them in his or her will or where the family requires financial assistance while the estate is being settled. For the most part, these provisions favor the surviving spouse, and amounts allowed for the care of minor children, surprising as it may seem, are usually quite limited. A minor child has no right to sue the estate of a parent for support, despite the fact that the parent had the legal obligation to support the child while the parent was alive. Most states, however, do provide shelter, at least, for the minor child for a period after the parent's death.More... |
| |
| Wills |
| |
| Basic VocabularyMore... |
| |
