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The Legal Stuff

Wills explained — what they do and what they don't do

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your mother died. She left a will. You assumed her estate would be straightforward to settle. She had

The Legal Stuff

Wills vs. trusts — the difference that matters for your family

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your parent's attorney recommended a trust instead of a will. Your parent asked why. The attorney

The Legal Stuff

State-specific document requirements — why a form from the internet might not work

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You found a power of attorney form online. It looked official. It had everything you needed. You downloaded

The Legal Stuff

Military and veteran-specific legal considerations

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your father is a Vietnam veteran. He's now in his seventies with declining health. You'

The Legal Stuff

Emergency legal documents — what can be done quickly when time is short

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your father called from the hospital. He'd had a fall. He's being admitted. The

The Legal Stuff

How to talk to your parent about signing these documents

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You've been thinking about bringing this up for months. Your mother is getting older. She'

The Legal Stuff

When siblings disagree about legal authority

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your mother had a stroke. She's in the hospital. Your brother called and said he'

The Legal Stuff

Representative payee for Social Security — when they can't manage benefits

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your father's Alzheimer's disease is progressing. He can't remember where he puts

The Legal Stuff

The document checklist — everything you need in one place

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You're sitting in a lawyer's office after your father had a stroke. The attorney

The Legal Stuff

Updating documents — when life changes require legal changes

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your father signed his power of attorney ten years ago. He named your mother as his healthcare power

The Legal Stuff

Digital estate planning — passwords, accounts, and online life

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your mother passed away. She has a Facebook account with nearly a thousand friends. There are photos there

The Legal Stuff

Getting documents signed when cognitive decline has already started — what's still valid

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You finally brought it up. You asked your father if he'd be willing to sign a