Paul O. Dillon, Attorney at Law

Estate Planning Is More than a Last Will and Testament

Most retirees know they should have a last will and testament. However, surprisingly few have updated wills. A recent article from msn.com, “6 Legal Documents That Most Retirees Need—but Don’t Have,” says only about 52% of retirees have a last will, and most lack other crucial documents needed to protect themselves and spare their loved ones additional grief. The documents discussed below should be part of your estate plan. If you don’t have them, consult with an estate planning attorney in your community, as they are state-specific.

Medical power of attorney or healthcare proxy. This document lets a person of your choosing make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot. When would you need a medical POA? If you are terminally ill, seriously injured, in a coma, receive a diagnosis of dementia, or at the end of life, you need a POA. Not only does this document let you decide who will make these decisions, but it also alleviates tremendous stress, including a lifetime of second-guessing, by your loved ones.

Advanced directive or living will. You will have the opportunity to express your preferences for end-of-life care if you can’t communicate because of an illness, accident, or another condition preventing you from responding. The advanced directive doesn’t go into effect until you are unable to communicate. Use this document to express what kind of care and treatment you want and don’t want during an emergency and the exact circumstances in which you want your choices to be honored.

Financial power of attorney. People with a financial POA have chosen the person they trust most to act on their behalf when it comes to paying bills, running a household, overseeing investments, or even selling a family home. Here’s what most people don’t know about a POA: you can, and should, make it as personal as possible. If you want your sister to pay your bills but cannot make charitable donations, your POA can include this. If you don’t have a financial POA, loved ones will need to go to court and petition for guardianship, which is costly and time-consuming.

Funeral and burial arrangements. No one likes to think or talk about dying, funerals, or memorial services. However, if you don’t tell your loved ones what you want or make arrangements for yourself, loved ones or funeral homes will make those decisions for you. Whether you care about what service you have or don’t want a service at all, creating a plan will be a kindness to your family.

HIPAA waiver. Few people seem to be aware of the importance of a HIPAA waiver, which creates a lot of headaches for loved ones. If you haven’t signed a HIPAA waiver, doctors and insurance companies cannot speak with your designated person about your healthcare and insurance coverage. If you become incapacitated without a HIPAA waiver, your family won’t be able to receive updates on your care. The laws enforcing HIPAA are extremely restrictive, so this is a good document to have in place long before it’s needed.

Trusts. When you create a trust, you create a legal entity to own property, taking it out of your taxable estate. Trusts allow assets to pass directly to beneficiaries, and depending upon the type of trust you use, there are many different types, and you may gain substantial tax advantages. Your estate planning attorney will know which type of trust is best for the circumstances.

Everyone should have a last will and the aforementioned documents to protect themselves and their loved ones. Life happens, and this kind of planning is invaluable. Make an appointment to meet with an estate planning attorney to create your own estate plan. If it’s been more than three to five years since you’ve had your estate plan reviewed, it’s time to take care of it.

Reference: msn.com (Jan. 13, 2025) “6 Legal Documents That Most Retirees Need—but Don’t Have”

These Celebrities Didn’t have Wills…But You Should

Rapper Coolio died at age 59 after being found unresponsive on the floor at a friend’s house. His real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., and his former manager, Jared Posey, recently filed a probate case to appraise the value of his estate, according to a recent article “What Coolio, Prince and Picasso didn’t have that you should” from MarketWatch.

The filing names Coolio’s seven adult children, who are reported to wear his ashes in necklaces, as his next of kin and likely beneficiaries of his estate. There are also three other children who are under legal age.

The estimated value of the estate is more than $300,000, including personal property, demand deposit accounts, financial accounts, insurance policies and royalties.

Coolio is far from alone in failing to have a will. A 2021 Gallup poll revealed that fewer than half adults in the U.S. have a will outlining how they want their estate to be handed upon their death. It’s a recipe for disaster for their families.

Dying without a will—known as dying intestate—means a local probate court has to decide how to distribute property according to state law, which can take months or even years. What finally occurs may not be what you intended. However, it will be too late.

A will is only one of many tools in the estate planning toolbox. You also need an updated Medical Power of Attorney, a Financial Power of Attorney and to have beneficiary designations on all of your accounts. The beneficiary designations override your will, which is often news to loved ones.

If you have a beneficiary listed on your 401(k) plan, the person listed will receive the assets in the 401(k), regardless of what is in your will. You want to make sure beneficiaries and secondary beneficiaries are all up to date on all of your accounts.

Another important consideration: if a spouse is cut out of a will who would normally receive an inheritance, they have legal standing to challenge the will in court.

For a complete estate plan, you need a Durable Power of Attorney, which states who can make financial decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. A Medical Power of Attorney names a person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself, and guardianship designations if you have minor children.

Every few years or after any big life changes, these documents, including beneficiary designations, need to be reviewed and updated with your estate planning attorney.

Other accounts, like brokerage accounts or bank accounts, may have “Pay on Death” or “Transfer on Death” designations which would immediately put the assets into the named person’s hands upon your death.

Another item to consider is a letter of intent, in which you describe for the executor of your estate your final wishes regarding burial or funeral. This document is not legally binding but can be used to share your wishes. The will may not be reviewed until after the funeral, so final directions for funerals, cremations, memorial services, etc., should not be in the will.

You can create a list to be appended to your will listing who will receive certain tangible items, like the family silver or your mother’s pearls. One good thing about having such a list is that it gives you an opportunity to update beneficiaries of your tangible personal property without needing to update your will itself. Be sure the list doesn’t contradict anything in your will and describe the items with great detail. You might also want to include contact information, so your executor can easily locate the person and make sure the items find their desired home.

Better yet—give the items away before you die. You won’t have to worry if they won’t get to the right person, and you’ll get to share the person’s enjoyment when they receive the gifts.

Reference: MarketWatch (Dec. 31, 2022) “What Coolio, Prince and Picasso didn’t have that you should”

Top Five Estate Planning Mistakes

Everyone should have an estate plan, whether it’s a simple will or a detailed and complex one with trusts and strategies for multiple generations. The more care and thought put into the plan, says a recent article, “5 Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid” from Kiplinger, the better the outcome. There are some common mistakes you can avoid with a little foreknowledge.

Failing to plan for incapacity. People think about creating wills and trusts with their mortality in mind. However, incapacity planning is just as important, in some cases, more important, than death. A good estate plan identifies the people authorized to make important decisions on your behalf concerning finances, health care and other important issues. It also empowers them to do so with powers of attorney. Once you are unconscious or otherwise incapacitated, you can no longer legally assign someone else to act on your behalf. Preparing for others to make decisions for you should not be overlooked.

Neglecting funeral and burial wishes. If you were kind enough to purchase a burial plot and make funeral plans, don’t make your children have to conduct a scavenger hunt. Talk with them about it and tell them where they can find the deed to your plot and the contract with the funeral home. Name a point person who will be in charge of the funeral and burial arrangements and make sure they know your wishes. If you want to be cremated, make it clear to loved ones. The more information you share before your death, the more likely your wishes will be followed.

Not considering the tax implications of transferring property. Don’t leave your loved ones a huge tax bill. It may seem generous to gift property to heirs during your lifetime. However, in many instances, giving when you have passed will create a far smaller tax burden. Your estate planning attorney will work with you to determine how to minimize taxes and maximize your gifts.

Name back-ups for key decision makers. The unthinkable happens. Spouses perish in the same accidents. If no secondary beneficiary has been named, who inherits the estate? Name additional and alternative beneficiaries in case of unfortunate occurrences. You should name a backup executor, financial power of attorney and health care agent. If a person named in your estate documents cannot fulfill their role because of death, incapacity or other reason, the court will name substitutes.

Forgetting to clarify and update beneficiary designations. If your will says you want all of your children to get an equal share of your estate, but one child is on a joint investment account and another is on a Payable Upon Death checking account, you’ve created potential disputes. It’s important to list out the beneficiaries, their asset shares and create a directive to your bank to set the interests in your accounts upon your death. Your bank may require you to change how accounts are titled to achieve your goals. Therefore, you should take care of this while you are living, so you can make any needed changes.

Reference: Kiplinger (Oct. 20, 2022) “5 Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid”

How Can I Choose an Estate Planning Lawyer?

Only about a third of Americans have an estate plan, according to the article “Choosing an estate planning lawyer” from Senior Matters. The number of people with wills is decreasing, rather than increasing, despite the events of recent years. Estate planning is worth doing, for the peace of mind, the personal and financial protection it provides, not to mention leaving a legacy of caring about the future for the next generation.

Estate planning involves making end-of-life decisions, with an emphasis on both finances and health. Most people think of estate planning as “who gets what,” which is accomplished largely through wills and trusts. For people who have amassed significant assets, this can be complex. An estate planning attorney makes it streamlined and will explain the implications of all aspects of the estate plan.

Estate planning includes gifting, generation skipping transfers, taxes, advance directives, power of attorney, health care proxies, living wills, naming an executor, organ donations, burial preferences, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders and final wishes.

Estate planning is a highly personal process. This is why it’s important to find an estate planning attorney who is compassionate, as well as technically proficient. Estate planning attorneys tend to be caring individuals who chose this field of law because they sincerely wish to help others. They also know what happens when estate planning is not done, because they also help children when their parents fail to do estate planning.

Some people are reluctant to embark on estate planning, in part because they don’t wish to be reminded of their own mortality. Others are concerned about relatives with designs on their estate. However, not having an estate plan makes it more likely that relatives or others could challenge the estate and end up owning assets. An estate plan provides protection.

When a person dies without an estate plan and assets subject to probate, their estate is considered to be “intestate.” Only the court will have any control over how the probate assets are distributed. The probate court will simply follow the laws of your state, which frequently are based on kinship. The exact details vary from state to state, and this is known as “intestate succession.”

The intestate laws may result in outcomes completely different than what you wished. An estranged spouse could end up owning everything, or a child with substance issues could inherit a substantial sum which will be gone in months. In most states, minor children may not receive inheritances, so trusts or custodial accounts are needed.

Estate planning is just as important for people of modest means as it is for wealthy people. If a senior owns their own home, the increase in property values could mean their estate is much bigger than they even realize.

Choosing an estate planning lawyer isn’t difficult. Ask friends and family for referrals, visit websites and find an estate planning attorney who shares your values, understands your family and feels like a good fit. Once your estate plan is in place, you’ll gain peace of mind.

Reference: Senior Matters (Aug. 17, 2022) “Choosing an estate planning lawyer”

Does an Elder Orphan Need an Estate Plan?

Estate planning for the future is even more important for elder orphans than for those with a spouse or family members, according to this recent article “Savvy Senior: How to get help as an elder orphan” from The Virginia Gazette. There is no one single solution, but there are steps to take to protect your estate, health and provide for long-term care.

Start with the essential estate planning documents. These documents will protect you and ensure that your wishes are followed, if you become seriously ill or when you die. These documents include:

A durable Power of Attorney to designate someone to handle financial matters in the event of incapacity.

An Advanced Health Care Directive, including a Living Will, to tell your health care provider what kind of care you want if you become incapacitated.

A Health Care Power of Attorney, naming a person of your choice to make medical decisions on your behalf, if you are unable to do so.

A Will to direct how you want your property and assets to be distributed upon your death and to name an Executor who will be in charge of your estate.

Your best option to prepare these documents is an experienced estate planning attorney. Trying to do it yourself is risky. Each state has its own laws for these documents to be valid. If the documents are not accepted, the court could declare your will invalid and your directions will not be followed.

People with families typically name a responsible adult child as their power of attorney for finances, as executor or for health care decisions. If you do not have adult children, you may ask a trusted friend or colleague. Name a person who is younger than you, organized and responsible and who will likely be available and willing to service.

If the person you name as executor lives in another state, you will need to check with your estate planning attorney to see if there are any special requirements.

If you do not have a friend or even a distant relative you feel comfortable assigning this role to, your estate planning attorney may be able to suggest alternatives, such as an aging life care manager. These professionals are trained in geriatric care and often have backgrounds in social work or nursing.

If you are reluctant to complete the legal documents mentioned above or start having them prepared and then fail to complete them, you may face some unpleasant consequences. A judge may appoint a guardian to make decisions on your behalf. This guardian is likely to be a complete stranger to you. They will be legally empowered to make all decisions for you regarding your health care, end-of-life care and even your burial and funeral services.

Unless you are comfortable with a court-appointed person making health care and other decisions for you, call an estate planning attorney and start making plans for the future.

Reference: The Virginia Gazette (April 1, 2022) “Savvy Senior: How to get help as an elder orphan”

Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Estate planning is crucial to ensure that wealth accumulated over a lifetime is distributed according to your wishes and will take care of your family when you are no longer able to do so. Many well-intentioned people make common mistakes, which could be avoided with the guidance of an estate planning attorney, says the article “Avoiding Big Estate Planning Mistakes” from Physician’s Weekly.

Do you have a will? Many families must endure the red tape and expenses of “intestate” probate because a parent never got around to having a will prepared. The process is relatively straightforward: identify an estate planning attorney and make an appointment. Once the will is completed, make sure several trusted people, likely family members, know where it is and can access it.

Are you properly insured? If the last time you looked at your life insurance coverage was more than ten years ago, it’s probably not kept pace with your life. Although every person’s situation is different, high- income earners, like physicians or other professionals, need to understand that life insurance “replaces” income. This means enough to pay for college, pay off a mortgage and provide for your surviving spouse and children’s lifestyles.

When was the last time you spoke with your estate planning attorney, CPA, or financial advisor? Tax laws are constantly changing, and if your estate plan is not keeping up with those changes, you may be missing out on planning opportunities. Your family also may end up with a big tax bill, if your estate plan hasn’t been revised in the last three or four years. Your team of professionals is only as good as you let them be, so stay in touch with them.

When was the last time you reviewed your estate plan with your attorney? If you thought an estate plan was a set-it-and-forget-it plan, think again. Tax laws aren’t the only thing that changes. If you’ve divorced and remarried, you definitely need a new estate plan—and possibly a post-nuptial agreement. Have your children grown up, married and perhaps had children of their own? Do you have a new and troublesome son-in-law and want to protect your daughter’s inheritance? All of the changes in your life need to be reflected in your estate plan.

Having “the talk” with your family. No one wants to think about their own mortality or their parent’s mortality. However, if you don’t discuss your estate plan and your wishes with your family, they will not know what you want to happen. It doesn’t need to be a summit meeting, but a series of conversations to allow your loved ones to become comfortable with the discussion and make it more likely your wishes will be fulfilled. This includes your estate plan and your wishes for burial or cremation and what kind of memorial service you want.

Reference: Physician’s Weekly (Oct. 8, 2021) “Avoiding Big Estate Planning Mistakes”

What Legal Documents Should You Have?

You might think that the coronavirus pandemic has caused everyone to get their estate planning documents in order, but the 20^th annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Retirees found that 30% of all retirees have nothing prepared—not even a will. That’s not good, for them or their families, says this timely article “6 Legal Documents Retirees Need—but Don’t Have” from MSN Money.

The survey revealed some troubling facts:

Only 32% have a Health Care Power Of Attorney or Medical Proxy, which allows named persons to make medical decisions on the retiree’s behalf.

Only 30% have an Advance Directive or Living Will, sharing their end-of-life wishes for medical care.

A mere 28% have a designated Power of Attorney, so an agent can act on their behalf to pay bills and manage finances, if they are too sick to do so.

Worse, only 19% have written funeral and burial arrangements. Their families will be left to make all the decisions.

18% have a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) waiver, which is needed so someone else may speak with health care and insurance providers on their behalf.

11% have a Trust of any kind.

The study shines a bright light on a big problem that will be faced by families, if their elders have not taken steps to prepare for incapacity or death. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away. It becomes more complicated, expensive and stressful for the loved ones left behind.

These documents and a last will and testament are needed, so families have the legal right to take care of their loved ones while they are living, as well as handle their estates after they pass.

Without them, the family may find themselves having to go to court to have a guardian appointed in the event their senior loved ones are too ill to manage their financial affairs.

If the loved one should die and there is no will in place, the court will rely on the state’s estate laws to determine who inherits assets. An estranged family member could end up owning the family home and all of its contents, regardless of their absence from the family.

An experienced estate planning attorney can work with the family in a safe, socially distanced manner to have the necessary documents created, before they are needed.

Reference: MSN MONEY (Dec. 15, 2020) “6 Legal Documents Retirees Need—but Don’t Have”

What Do I Need to Know About My Own Funeral Arrangements?

You’ve heard about death and taxes. While having a plan for your death may not be a big priority, creating a plan for your family when you pass is something everyone should do.

WHNT’s recent article, “How to plan for life after death,” says the first step is having that conversation with someone you trust. It may be a close friend, a family member or an attorney.

Next, think about some important considerations like what you want in terms of a funeral service, burial or cremation, if you want life insurance to pay your last expenses and how your estate should be handled.

The National Institute on Aging has created a comprehensive list of considerations for those who are facing end of life decisions. It’s also a great resource for caretakers.

This planning will may make the process easier for those you leave behind, especially if you work with an experienced estate planning attorney.

There are also some fundamental decisions that can also ease the financial burden on your loved ones.

The average North American traditional funeral costs between $7,000 and $10,000. This price range includes the services at the funeral home, burial in a cemetery and the installation of a headstone at the cemetery.

The National Funeral Directors Association reports that the median cost to move the remains of a loved one to a funeral home in the U.S. is $325. Embalming can run about $725, and the average cost of a vault in the United States is $1,395, as of 2017.

According to the 2018 NFDA Cremation & Burial Report, the 2018 cremation rate is estimated to be 53.5%, and the burial rate is projected to be 40.5%.

Forbes says that roughly 42% of people opt to be cremated because of the costs involved with a standard funeral in the United States.

Reference: WHNT (June 30, 2019) “How to plan for life after death”