A power of attorney lets you select another person that can act on your behalf to manage your property and money. In Maryland, the person to whom you are giving this power is called your agent (other places might call this person an “attorney-in-fact” or “proxy). Here are some considerations in selecting your agent. The powers given to your agent are…
Use Your Phone to Manage your Advance Directive
Advance directives are terrific tools that let you chose how you want your medical decisions handled if you are unable to make them yourself. But they can only be effective if they can be found and shared when they are needed. A new app produced by the American Bar Association hopes to make advance directives more accessible and more effective…
Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
Your toilet won’t stop running and it’s driving you nuts. You’re feeling ambitious and instead of calling a plumber, you try to fix it yourself. You can save money, learn something, and maybe get it done more quickly. For similar reasons, many are taking this same do-it-yourself approach to estate planning. Online forms and software make it easier than ever to create…
Three Examples of What Trusts Can Do
Trusts can be a confusing concept. Even well-written and easy to understand descriptions can be abstract. The best way to understand them is to look at what they can accomplish. Part of the reason they are so difficult to understand is because they can be used for so many different purposes. To get us started, here’s three examples of uses of trusts…
How to Choose a Health Care Agent
Choosing the right health care agent is the centerpiece to an effective advance directive. Your health care agent makes medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make them yourself. Similar to choosing a personal representative, your health care agent should be someone you trust and who understands your values. In Maryland, your health care agent must be at…