Does Conservatorship End Joint Accounts?
Some folk think “estate planning” is putting their children on their bank accounts. However, this may not be enough if the client later becomes incapacitated. If the client does not…
Power of Attorney, Gifts and Self-Dealing
A recent Mississippi court case examined the legality of an attempted transfer of jointly-owned bank CDs by use of a power of attorney and how transactions done through the use…
Joint Custody by Grandparents Upheld by Court
More and more these days, grandparents have been called on to provide care for grandchildren due to problems experienced by their children. A recent Mississippi case expanded the interpretation of…
The New Reality of Old Age in America
People are living longer, more expensive lives, often without much of a safety net. As a result, record numbers of Americans older than 65 years of age are working —…
Why Do-it-Yourself Wills Don’t Work
From time to time, clients have come into our office with wills or powers of attorney they had prepared or printed from an online source. In most cases we have…
We Need to Be Careful with Tax Reform
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) was introduced in the House of Representatives last week. This is the first major tax law overhaul since the 1986 Tax Act,…
Holiday Helps for Alzheimer's Caregivers
November and December are holiday months. The holiday season is a time for visiting and reconnecting with family, friends and neighbors. Sometimes this season can be sad or stressful for…
Medicare Milestones
On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare, a health insurance program for elderly Americans, into law. At the bill-signing ceremony, which took place at the Truman Library…
Court Confirms that Joint Ownership Trumps a Will
In 1988, Robert Ehrhardt, Sr. and his wife, Julia, purchased a home as “joint tenants with full rights of survivorship, and not as tenants in common.” In 2000, Robert Sr.…
When is a Lease a Will?
Rose Greer leased land to David and Jene Nunnery. Section 3 of the lease - which extended until July 31, 2025, in automatically renewing one year terms - stated: In…