Creating a living will ensures your future health care decisions and plans are respected. A living will is a legal document outlining medical treatment preferences and end-of-life care if you can’t communicate or make decisions for yourself.

Many power of attorney forms allow for a variety of options in designating who may act as your agent. Depending on the rules of your state, this can be one person or more than one person.

Powers of attorney can be overridden. However, the “who” and “how” depends on whether the principal is of sound mind.

If we have learned anything these past few years, it’s that life is fleeting. Amid such uncertain times, many of us have realized what – and who – truly means the most to us.

Although every state’s laws and forms vary, most power of attorney forms specify that the agency relationship created by a power of attorney ends upon a person’s death.

Although in many situations the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when selecting beneficiaries, there are always exceptions.

Some assets transfer directly to heirs after a person’s death. Other assets must go through a process known as probate.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects patients’ privacy.

Creating a spendthrift trust for your loved one can limit their spending and your protect wealth. While this type of trust may come at the expense of their autonomy, it can provide them with greater financial security.

While financial planning has been at the top of many Americans’ minds, a vast majority of people have stalled in creating an estate plan.