Kirk Estate Planning

The holidays can be the perfect time to talk with your family about estate planning (really!) Most loved ones are happy to know your wishes and relieved to learn that you've completed an estate plan to make things easier. This article discusses how to raise the topic and what to talk about.  It doesn't have to be an hours-long, depressing conversation.  People are usually glad to have the peace of mind the discussion produces. https://www.investopedia.com/retirement/thanksgiving-good-time-talk-turkey-about-estate-planning/

Having a child is one of life's most profound events.  Most people carefully prepare for welcoming and caring for their child.  Creating an estate plan is an essential part of parenting. While it can be difficult to make time to visit an estate planning attorney, if you hire someone who focuses only on estate planning, it can be much easier than you might think.  This article has some good advice on estate planning for parents with children of all ages. 4 Estate Planning Steps for New Parents

I'm sharing this article from Forbes.com because it is an excellent overview of how estate planning benefits you, before and after death. 4 Estate Planning Myths That Refuse To Die by Ron Carson Forbes Estate planning remains one of the most misunderstood areas of planning. Over the years, I’ve met with people who “only needed a financial plan, not an estate plan” or “didn’t need a financial plan, just some help with estate planning.” I’ve also met with people who labeled themselves too young (or too old) to engage in estate planning. What they were all missing is that estate planning is an integral part of a comprehensive financial plan, not something that sits outside of it. That’s because estate planning is part of life planning.   It’s about defining and living out your legacy during your lifetime, enabling you to enjoy the impact it has on the people and organizations you support; ensuring loved ones who depend on your income are protected in the event of your ...

While no parent likes to think about this, choosing a guardian for your child in case something happens to you is part of responsible parenting. This article from BabyCenter explores what to consider when naming a guardian in your will. What is a legal guardian, and why do I need one for my child? A legal guardian is an adult designated to care for a child in case both parents die before that child reaches adulthood. While the thought might make you shudder, you need to choose a guardian so the courts don't do it for you if the worst should happen. If you think your mother or sister would automatically receive custody of your child, you're mistaken. Unless you specifically name a guardian in your will , anyone can step forward and ask for the job, and a judge will decide who gets custody. If you and your spouse or partner have separate wills, it's best to name the same person as the guardian of your child to avoid conflicts. Many parents also name an alternat...

I wanted to share this good explanation of the Power of Attorney - what it can do, who you should choose, and why you should have one in place.  Power of attorney: When you need one By Kimberly Rotter January 30, 2018 A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document in which the principal (you) designates another person (called the agent or attorney-in-fact ) to act on your behalf to make decisions in specified matters or in all matters. It can also refer to the individual designated to act in this way. Special circumstances may trigger the need for a POA for any person over the age of 18. For example, military personnel may create a POA before they deploy overseas, leaving behind their families, so that someone can act on their behalf should they become incapacitated. Incapacity isn't the only reason you might need a POA, though. Younger people who travel a great deal might set up a POA so that someone could handle their affairs, especially if they have no spouse to...