High Five: 5 Factors for Choosing a General Power of Attorney

general power of attorney document

When you sign a general power of attorney, you authorize someone to manage financial matters on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. That’s a lot of responsibility to sign over to someone. You need to pick someone who is trustworthy, someone who will act in your best interests. [Read More]

I Digress: Anniversary Plans

Our society has assigned value to marking the passage of time in a particular relationship. Collectively, we recognize that the commitment it takes to maintain a relationship is a significant investment of time and energy, effort and resources. So, we honor those persons or entities who have reached a milestone – usually a multiple of 5 – in terms of years spent on a relationship, whether personal or professional. [Read More]

[FAQ] Iowa Estate Lawyer Answers: What is a Personal Representative?

executor is personal representative

The person whom Northwest Iowa trust and estates attorneys have long referred to as the “executor” when managing your estate also has an alternative name. Known as the “personal representative”, this person is appointed by either the person doing the estate planning or by the courts when there was no one named in a will. The personal representative has a very big job of finishing up the decedent’s business, such as taking care of taxes and keeping the bills paid; not to mention the much more commonly recognized job of making sure the decedent’s wishes are followed when it comes to distributing assets. [Read More]

Elder Care Law in Northwest Iowa Offers Important Strategies for Dementia Patients

elder care law in northwest iowa offers important strategies for dementia patients

Along with the emotional turmoil on the patient and family members, dementia also takes quite a financial toll.  Alzheimer’s and related illnesses are typically degenerative, progressing slowly over time, while requiring considerable medical and personal care.  Elder care lawyers in Northwest Iowa have experience helping clients create plans which provide for both the medical and the quality-of-life aspects of these expenses. [Read More]

Estate Planning for Generation X

planning for generation x

GenX-ers are no longer angst-ridden youth trying to figure out where they fit in this world. Instead, they’re adults with real jobs, real retirement plans, life insurance and real health problems. And they’re people who need to do their estate planning. [Read More]