The Plain English Attorney Blog

Far too many attorneys overcomplicate things, making topics convoluted and difficult to understand to the average person. This blog is committed to explaining legal planning topics in an easy to understand format, in plain English. Enjoy the blogs, and please let us know if there is a topic you would like covered.

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New Year’s Revolutions #2023 #estateplanning #estateplanningbasics #financialplanning #legaldocuments #longtermplanning #newyear #resolutions address the press fact-based Jan 02, 2023

It sounds ridiculous that it even has to be stated, but with the New Year we need to focus on fact-based solutions to our problems... and that will be considered "revolutionary." As I usually do, I have been on my annual end-of-year break and, unfortunately, I had a chance to dig a few inches...

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Trust 101: A New Webinar for a New Year Dec 26, 2022

We have launched a new estate planning webinar focused on the basics of a living trust. While a Last Will and Testament is thought of as the norm, a revocable living trust may be a better alternative to avoid probate. In getting back to some basics for 2023, our office decided to create and...

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‘Twas the Night Before Probate #beneficiary #costs #estateplanning #probate #probateprocess #seasonalfavorites Dec 19, 2022

'Twas the night before probate, and all through the house

Not an asset was spared, for there was no spouse

Nor were there children, or any appointed heirs

For the deceased had no plans, nor had he cared

 

The forms were stacked high, with supporting documentation

Billable hours were spent,...

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Medicaid or Moneyball? Dec 06, 2022

When faced with a long term care crisis and the accompanying astronomical monthly costs, families often push to keep doing things the same way they always have, just better or more efficiently. They keep pushing ahead with their fingers crossed that, somehow, they can preserve enough money to pay...

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Mom Needs Help... What Do We Do?: Basic Long Term Care Options #activitiesofdailyliving #adls #caregivingbasics #estateplanningbasics #howtoprovidepersonalcare #iadls #instrumentalactivitiesofdailyliving #longtermbasics #longtermplanning #medicaid #medicaidplanning #process #seniors Dec 05, 2022

While Medicaid and Long Term Care Planning is often focused on preserving money, at least for the families who speak with me, but the overall process has to be about more than just assets and income. Unfortunately, many professionals push those aside and focus only on the money without sufficient...

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No Kids… Who Gets My Estate? Dec 05, 2022

A frequent question from clients is who should be their beneficiaries, or contingent beneficiaries, if there are no children or grandchildren? In this review of a Reddit thread on r/estateplanning, Jeff reviews the advice and comments given as well as providing his own experience as an estate...

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The Red Tape Estate: The Probate Process Explained #estateplanningbasics #probate #probateprocess Nov 28, 2022

Ever since my grandfather passed on and my grandmother had to deal with a year and a half of uncertainty, convoluted procedures, and legal bills, I made it my mission to find ways for my clients to avoid the red tape of probate. But not only did I want to help my clients, but I also wanted to...

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Seven Traps and Five Power-Ups in Special Needs Estate Planning #beneficiary #estateplanning #planning #specialneeds #specialneedsestateplanning Nov 21, 2022

There are multiple traps, myths, and outright falsehoods when it comes to estate planning for a special needs beneficiary, and it doesn’t help when these lies spread like wildfire. But why do they spread? Usually because someone had a single good or bad experience, and they wrongly...

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DIY Estate Planning, No Logic Required: A Saga of Denial Nov 14, 2022

I frequently review questions and answers on the Reddit for Estate Planning. Many times, there are legitimate questions from people as well as good advice provided. However, I'm frequently reminded that there are a lot of people online who are seeking the answer they want to hear rather than the...

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Seven Things NOT to Put in Your Will #estateplanning #lastwill #lastwillandtestament #whatisestateplanning #whatshouldiputinmywill #will Nov 07, 2022

A Last Will and Testament is supposed to be a way to communicate your wishes after you’re gone… but there are a lot of “extra” things DIY people (and even some attorneys) put into Wills that really don’t belong there and could cause problems down the road.

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DIY Estate Planning: No Logic Required Nov 07, 2022

I frequently review questions and answers on the Reddit for Estate Planning. Many times, there are legitimate questions from people as well as good advice provided. However, I'm frequently reminded that there are a lot of people online who are seeking the answer they want to hear rather than the...

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What is the Estate Planning Process? #estateplanning #estateplanningbasics #genzestateplanning #whatisestateplanning #whatisestateplanningformillennials Oct 31, 2022

When people meet with an estate planner for the first time, it is often uncomfortable. After all, they're there to talk about death and where their stuff goes. It's not a subject that most people are eager to address. But it's something that everyone needs to do. So what can the estate planner do...

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