When David's father fell and broke his hip in Utah, David faced a crisis from his home 2,000 miles away in Boston. His 82-year-old father needed immediate help managing medical decisions, paying bills, and coordinating care, but David couldn't just drop everything and move across the country. Without...
Tag: planning proactively
Platform Legacy Features: Your Digital Estate’s First Line of Defense
A dear friend of mine passed away unexpectedly, recently. His iPhone was locked; his family did not have the password. His social and financial world existed on the iPhone. When someone passes away, their family faces the daunting task of managing dozens of digital accounts—from email and social...
Five Tips for Discussing Diminishing Capacity with a Loved One
As an elder law attorney, I've guided many families through the challenging process of addressing a loved one's diminishing mental capacity. Here are five essential tips to help you navigate this sensitive conversation:
1. Start Early
Begin discussions about future care and decision-making while your loved...
Should an Agent Under Durable Power of Attorney Have the Power to Change Account Beneficiaries?
A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is a powerful legal tool that allows you to designate someone to act on your behalf in financial and legal matters if you become incapacitated. One crucial decision to consider when creating a DPOA is whether to grant your agent the authority to change beneficiary designations...
Planning Proactively
As we age, our likelihood of mental incapacity increases. After all, our bodies and minds deteriorate as we age. Mental incapacity could result from dementia, stroke, brain injury, or other illness. What is mental incapacity and in what ways can you plan to be best prepared for it?
What...