Wills Trusts & Estate Planning
Guardianships for Incapacitated Adults
The purpose of an adult guardianship is to provide care for the person and/or estate of an adult who has been deemed incapacitated by the court, known as the protected person. A guardian is a person appointed by the court who has the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the protected person. A…
Read MoreIndiana’s Intestate Succession
Have you said or have you heard someone else say something like, “When I die, all of my assets will go to my spouse and then my children, so I don’t need to worry about doing a will.” This is a very common misconception. And it can lead to confusion, disagreements, costs, and ultimately that…
Read MoreEstate Planning for Young Adults: Why It’s Never Too Early to Plan Ahead.
Young adults in Indiana can benefit significantly from estate planning, regardless of their age or financial situation. An estate plan can provide peace of mind, protect loved ones, and ensure your wishes are honored in the event of incapacity or death. Estate planning is simply making legal arrangements for the management and distribution of your…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be a Trustee of a Trust in Indiana
A trustee is a fiduciary which means “A person who is required to act for the benefit of another person on all matters within the scope of their relationship; one who owes to another the duties of good faith, trust, confidence, and candor. One who must exercise a high standard of care in managing another’s…
Read MoreTermination/Expiration of a Power of Attorney
In Indiana a “power of attorney” means a writing or other record that grants authority to an attorney in fact or agent to act in place of a principal. (I.C. 30-5-2-7) Clients will often want to know when a power of attorney terminates. There are several events which will cause a power of attorney to…
Read MoreBankruptcy Options In The Age Of Coronavirus
If you are currently unemployed due to the national coronavirus pandemic and have bills coming due, you may need to consider your consumer bankruptcy options under Chapters 7 or 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. In recent reports, worldwide, households now have $12 trillion more in debt than during the financial crisis of 2008. We are…
Read MoreWhat is a Miller’s Trust
You may have heard from a friend about needing a “Miller’s Trust” or you may have come across a “Miller’s Trust” while researching the type of legal documents one may need when getting older. It is not important how you first heard of a “Miller’s Trust” but it is important for you to understand whether…
Read MoreIndiana’s Healthcare Consent Statute
Prior to July 1, 2018, Indiana was a “healthcare by committee” state – any number of people could act on a person’s behalf when they were adjudged to be incompetent. The circumstances sometimes resulted in confusion as to who may speak for the incompetent patient. Indiana law now specifies a priority order for people who…
Read MoreAvoiding Taxes and Expenses When You Die
As the saying goes, there are only two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. While no one can avoid death, most people wish to avoid, as much as possible, the taxes and expenses that may result from their death. As of January 1, 2013, the Indiana legislature repealed the state’s inheritance tax. …
Read More