Forest Simple Estate Planning Blog
When a person cannot sign a will
In order to properly validate a will, you need to add your signature to it. However, some people have older parents who, although they need to make out a will, suffer from health challenges that do not make it possible to legibly sign a document. Fortunately, Virginia...
Even young people need estate planning
Many people in Virginia associate estate planning tools like wills and trusts with people at older stages of their lives. However, the reality of the matter is that even a person in their 20s or 30s can benefit from some form of estate planning. At any given time, a...
Are you clear on the myths surrounding the cost of caregiving?
You have accepted your role of taking care of your aging parents in Virginia, and you have been doing a lot of research about how to be the best caregiver for them. Be sure that you do not accept caregiving myths as facts. U.S. News & World Report tackles several...
When seniors need a guardian
Many people are used to receiving care from their parents and may have a hard time envisioning a day when their parents will need care. However, some senior citizens may be unable to take care of themselves as they age. In this situation, it is a good idea for their...
What changes your will?
One of the advantages of creating a will is that this document can adapt as your life circumstances change. Even if you are not yet completely sure how you want your assets divided upon your death, creating a will gives you peace of mind that your estate will follow...
What are the duties of a conservator?
Some people who suffer incapacitation are no longer able to make important financial and other life decisions. When this happens, a court may appoint a conservator to manage the estate of the disabled person. While conservators exercise power over an estate, they are...
Holographic wills in Virginia
A holographic will is one that the testator writes out by hand. Over half of the states in the country, including Virginia, recognize the validity of a holographic will. Eleven states do not recognize holographic wills at all, while nine states recognize them only in...
What do I require to set up a power of attorney?
Various reasons may lead people to want to create a power of attorney, such as when planning an estate or when preparing to become hospitalized. There are several legal steps that you need to satisfy when establishing a power of attorney in Virginia. You have the...
How to establish a guardianship in Virginia
If your parent or another loved one is no longer able to manage his or her affairs, a guardianship may be the best choice for your family. With this arrangement, the appointed guardian can make decisions about where the person will live, the medical care he or she...
Helping your parent set up a will
For older adults, various daily stressors can get in the way of estate planning. For example, some may be dealing with a lot of stress and financial uncertainty as a result of their retirement, or they may be working through a health issue that drains them of their...
