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.

Sign up for Our Newsletter

Check Out Our Free Webinars

Estate Crash Course Webinar               In-Law Protection Planning Webinar    

Special Needs Planning Webinar          Medicaid Planning Webinar

11 Red Flags of Estate Planning #estateplanningbasics #trustplanning revocable trust Sep 11, 2023

When it comes to estate planning, there are a lot of red flags indicating a need for some specific protections. However, one of the biggest solutions is a well-drafted, optimally-funded revocable living trust to keep the estate out of probate. Here are the top eleven red flags Indicating an...

Continue Reading...
Just the FAQs, Ma'am (Vol. 2) #estateplanningbasics #wills irrevocable trust Jun 05, 2023

As part of getting back to basics for people searching to basic estate planning answers, I’m continuing to cover some basic questions that come from Henry W. Abts III’s book The Living Trust in its Appendix G. While the questions are coming from the book, the answers are coming from...

Continue Reading...
Just the FAQs, Ma'am (Vol. 1) #estateplanningbasics irrevocable trust wills May 29, 2023

As part of getting back to basics for people searching to basic estate planning answers, I’m going to cover some basic questions that come from Henry W. Abts III’s book The Living Trust in its Appendix G. While the questions are coming from the book, the answers are coming from my own...

Continue Reading...
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...

Continue Reading...
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...

Continue Reading...
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...

Continue Reading...
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...

Continue Reading...
Eight Steps Every Senior Should Take #estatedocuments #estateplanning #estateplanningbasics #legaldocuments #process #seniors #steps #wills May 02, 2022

I was recently asked to spell out the basic things that every senior should have in place, and I came up with eight specific items. While there are certainly more, this is a broad list of the most important legal and practical items.

  1. Have Estate Document In Place: There are actually several...
Continue Reading...
Dangerous Gifts #beneficiary #estateplanning #estateplanningbasics #planning Apr 24, 2022

Sometimes, getting a pile of money can do more harm than good. The younger a gift recipient is, the greater the risk the money is wasted, or, even worse, the money is spent on drugs or to facilitate bad life choices. Unfortunately, the top three gifting options people choose for younger...

Continue Reading...