SmartHat - Eldercare Solutions

Legal Planning

Introduction by Gordon S. Dickens, Esq.
Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP

The Legal Planning course is designed to provide an overview of basic estate planning issues and techniques essential to you and your family's personal and financial success. Specifically, twelve essential questions concerning disability and death will be reviewed. Correct estate design is one of many critical factors involved with proper elder care.

Key Questions To Be Covered:

If you were to suffer a serious misfortune, would anyone be able to pay your bills and manage your affairs?

Would anyone be authorized to communicate health care decisions in the event you were terminally ill and life prolonging procedures artificially prolonged the dying process?

If you needed nursing home care, what will happen to your assets and the resulting effect upon your family?

Will New York State or you determine who your estate will pass to upon your death?

Have you evaluated your finances to ensure that your loved ones are provided for in case you are disabled or die?

Do the beneficiary designations on your assets conform to your estate plan?

If you have minor children or family members with special needs, will they receive their inheritance outright or will it be protected for them in a trust?

If you should die leaving minor children, who will be their guardian and will it be upheld in court?

Have you taken advantage of estate planning techniques, which can reduce or even eliminate estate taxes?

Have you taken steps to minimize disputes thus preventing costly and time consuming litigation?

Have you properly planned to minimize your estate administration expenses?

If you own your own business or are in partnership, is there agreement to govern what will happen upon your retirement, disability or death?