Wisconsin, like many states, has several different requirements to create a valid Will. The particular rules for signing a Will are contained in Wis. Stat. § 853.03. These rules require that a Will be: Signed by the creator (or by another person at the specific direction of the creator); and Signed by at least two […]
Long term care costs present a significant financial stress to many families. For certain veterans (and their surviving spouses) the VA offers a pension program that can provide additional monthly income to offset some of the cost of their care. This program is known as the VA Aid and Attendance pension. In order to be […]
Many people believe that “estate planning” is only for the super wealthy among us, but the reality is that everyone wants their wishes to be followed, regardless of their economic status. For example, parents in blended families have a unique interest in ensuring that children from prior marriages are treated fairly, even if their parent […]
It’s that time of year again – back to school. Like Christmas, it seems to creep up on us faster every year. Thanks to our “sales tax holiday” earlier this month, parents could buy clothing, computers, and other back-to-school supplies without having to pay sales tax. One back to school supply that few parents think […]
The concept of having too much money is foreign to almost all of us. But if you receive needs-based government benefits like Medicaid, Family Care, IRIS, SSI, or other programs, having money can be an issue. For parents and grandparents of program recipients, it can be a struggle to decide whether to include the recipient […]
If the advice in Attorney Melissa DeVantier’s recent article, Inheriting the Family Cottage, came too late for your family to benefit from it – sadly, your family may find itself in the middle of a dispute concerning what will happen with Mom and Dad’s property once they become incapacitated or pass away. Once family leaders […]
As an estate planning attorney, my clients often ask me what they should do with the family cottage, cabin or hunting land “up north.” In a typical situation, Mom and Dad purchased the property years ago at a bargain, and now the children and grandchildren treasure it as a place to gather as a family. […]
Entering a nursing home or assisted living facility can be one of the most confusing and stressful times that a family will ever have. In addition to changing a living situation, families are thrust into an alphabet soup of different government agencies and programs. We have discussed in prior articles the use of irrevocable trusts […]
Where do you live? Kimberly Where are you from? Kimberly My legal practice… Focuses on helping families prepare for the future. My practice concentrates on elder law (making sure seniors’ legal ducks are in a row and protecting wealth from long-term care stays) and estate planning. My family…. Consists of my beautiful wife, Mary, our […]
In the last of our three-part series, Attorney Reg Wydeven, along with Prospera Credit Union, answers all your questions about trustees, guardianships, probate, and the difference between a living will and a living trust. If you need to catch up, just follow the links below: Family Wills – Part One: Why Do I Need a […]