As a parent, you've watched your child grow from a wobbly toddler taking their first steps to a confident young adult about to turn 18. You've been there through every milestone, from their first day of school to their first little league game. You've helped them learn how to ride a bike and have cheered them on as they've grown into their own person. Now, as your child approaches adulthood, you're faced with a new set of challenges. While your love and support for them will never … [Read more...] about My Child is 18, Now What?
Could Your Hospital Kill You?
Could your hospital kill you by deciding that you are too sick and should have treatment withheld? Quite possibly. The Teri Schiavo story showed the importance of expressing your wishes and doing a Living Will, if that is your choice. The case of Hanford Pinette shows, at times a Living Will may conflict with the person you designate to make health care decisions for you. In many ways, Hanford Pinette was a very typical American. He was a Korean War veteran and a government engineer. When he … [Read more...] about Could Your Hospital Kill You?
Life is an Interesting Ride
Life is an interesting ride with many surprises. Who would have expected it to turn out the way it has? Forty years ago, as we walked to our local library, who would have thought that we could have more information available at our fingertips online than would fit in any library? Who would have guessed that these high school dropouts would have been so successful: Julie Andrews (actress / singer), Louis Armstrong (jazz musician), Kevin Bacon (actor), Lucille Ball (comedienne), … [Read more...] about Life is an Interesting Ride
Dealing with Aging Parents
Your parents were there when you took the first wobbly steps of being a toddler. They were there when you faced life’s challenges and the scary obstacles life put in your path. Now, you watch your parents take their own unsteady steps. You want to be there to comfort them as they face the obstacles of aging. You want to help them, without depriving them of their independence. But, how do you do that? Of course, each situation is different, depending upon the … [Read more...] about Dealing with Aging Parents
The Choice Is Yours: Don’t Lose Your Chance to Make It
Make sure your wishes are known with a health care directive. Most of us have heard of Terri Schiavo and her lack of a health care directive. Terri had a heart problem and slipped into a coma in Florida in her 20s. Terri had not expressed with great clarity what she wanted done in such a situation. This caused great anguish for her husband and her parents for years. Eventually, her husband decided that Terri should be allowed to die by removing her feeding tube. Her parents did not agree … [Read more...] about The Choice Is Yours: Don’t Lose Your Chance to Make It
Your Most Important Choice
When people think about estate planning, they typically think of who will get their possessions. Upon further thought, they recognize that the most important decisions they make will be the identity of trusted decision makers like guardians, executors, trustees, and agents. If the individual has a Will, an executor or personal representative is named in the Will to manage the affairs of the estate. This person has the responsibility of collecting all the assets of the person who … [Read more...] about Your Most Important Choice
How to Choose a Guardian for Your Children
Choosing a guardian is one of the more difficult decisions associated with estate planning, but it’s one that you can’t afford to put off. You hate to think about the potential of passing on before your children reach the age of 18, but it’s the responsible thing to do. The manner in which you choose a guardian depends on a variety of factors, including the relationships you have with your family and friends. If you need a push in the right direction, here are some tips that can … [Read more...] about How to Choose a Guardian for Your Children
What Successful People Do
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and J.R. Simplot are names which have become synonymous with success. Bill Gates founded Microsoft Corporation and became a multi-billionaire at a very young age. Warren Buffet is known as the “Oracle of Omaha” and is known for his value-based approach to investing, which has turned his Berkshire Hathaway into a dominant force. J.R. Simplot pioneered the frozen french fry, was the provider for McDonald’s … [Read more...] about What Successful People Do
Eighteen and Alone: The Legal Risks of Independence
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee Your child has just turned 6,570 days old, and on the surface nothing seems to have changed. He still mixes the reds with the whites in the wash—she drove off with her book bag on the roof of her car again. But, disconcerting as it may be, for all legal purposes, turning 18 makes your child an adult. Even more disturbing is the fact that without proper legal safeguards, you may no longer have any say in their medical care or … [Read more...] about Eighteen and Alone: The Legal Risks of Independence
When Time Is Short
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee As you drive your mom to her regular doctor appointment, you think of everything you need to do: Drop off Bobby at soccer, pick up Sally from softball, pick up groceries, make dinner, etc. It seems the list is endless. You wonder how your mom had time to do it all and still have time to be so loving. After flipping through old magazines in the doctor’s office, you go in with your mom for her appointment. Your mom had some … [Read more...] about When Time Is Short