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In my estate planning practice, I find it very common for people of all ages to not have essential estate planning documents. These documents are crucial for a person’s loved ones in the event that person passes away, and even more important if that person becomes incapacitated and is not able to make important decisions regarding their healthcare and finances. Estate planning documents not only give comfort to your family after you pass away but also have a very real impact on your quality of life while you are alive. The estate planning documents that everyone should have, no matter […]

As the world wakes from its Coronavirus-induced hibernation, it has to take stock of the situation – both to count and mourn our losses and to assess new opportunities. One important task in both categories is a financial analysis. Many people have used up the cash on hand to simply survive the lack of steady income from jobs. Others have been fortunate enough to survive on the government stimulus projects and unemployment insurance. For many, however, especially those with Coronavirus-related medical bills, the short-term cash inflow hasn’t been enough. People are looking for other avenues, and in response, Congress passed […]

There is probably no more agonizing a problem than trying to convince a loved one that he or she can no longer drive safely. Cars have given all of us freedom and independence, and when someone is asked to stop driving and give up this source of independence, often the reaction is an absolute refusal. If you are unable to persuade your spouse, parent or other loved one that they are unable to drive safely and you are convinced that their driving exposes not only themselves but others to accidents and injuries, then the proper course of action is to […]

A power of attorney is a document that you sign to designate an individual or individuals to act on your behalf in the event that you become incapacitated. A durable power of attorney is one that survives even if you become incapacitated. A springing power of attorney is one that requires the documentation of a physician stating that you are incapacitated. An advance healthcare directive is a broad term that is used to describe various documents in place for someone to make health decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to make these decisions for yourself. A […]

The Social Security Trust Fund (hereinafter, the “Trust Fund”), essentially, is the fund used to pay the benefits of retirees, their spouses, various dependents, and persons with permanent disabilities. The Trust Fund is composed of all the taxes earned on the income of American workers that have been collected and earmarked for this purpose, plus any interest gained on those tax revenues. The Trust Fund is sustainable as long as the tax revenues and interest are greater than the payouts. Whereas the Trust for your estate planning likely has one or two Trustees (in other words, those who administer the […]

Saturday, April 18, 2020 1:00 am ‘Largest classroom’ PBS offers assistance to from-home educators Bruce R. Haines Public television, which started life as “educational television” in the 1950s, is now providing emergency at-home learning services to assist students, families, teachers, administrators and school systems across Indiana now closed in response to COVID-19. The state’s eight public television stations, including PBS Fort Wayne, are partnering with the Indiana Department of Education to offer at-home learning experiences for students in grades K-12 that align with Indiana curriculum standards. This crisis response builds on years of public television’s success in education. PBS reaches […]

As I write this article, our world is in the midst of navigating through the implications of the coronavirus. Many clients are wondering if they will be able to get the legal assistance that they need. This event has caused me to think back to how technology has changed over my law career. When I began my law career in 1994, I didn’t have a computer on my desk. We had one computer in our library for computerized legal research, but needed permission to do a search for fear of the search cost. And I remember how excited my husband […]

Whether you are an entrepreneur eager to open your first business, or someone looking to expand upon their current business, the decisions surrounding the formation of a business can be tough. There are many different types of businesses, each with their own set of positives and negatives. It is important to choose the right type of business for your situation. Once you know the type of business you want to form–limited liability company, corporation, etc.–it must be set up according to Indiana law. Speaking with an Indiana business law attorney is an essential step in the formation of an Indiana […]