Asset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill goes through scenarios of when it makes sense to convert a retirement account to an IRA.
info_outline When To RetireAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Important concepts to consider before you retire and how to set yourself best for asset protection in retirement.
info_outline After CaregivingAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill continues his conversation with Diane Surgeon as the subject shifts to what you need to do once your caregiving journey has concluded.
info_outline Caregiving RespiteAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill welcomes attorney Diane Surgeon to discuss how taking care of yourself when in a caregiving role is an essential part of life planning.
info_outline Minimum Required DistributionsAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill breaks down what you need to know about taking money out of a retirement account, before and after retirement.
info_outline 401K MistakesAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill describes how 401K retirement accounts work and how to avoid some common mistakes.
info_outline Long-term Care OptionsAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill dives in to the options and costs of the various forms of long-term care that are available.
info_outline Umbrella InsuranceAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill explains what umbrella insurance is, how it should be used, how much you should have and why it's more important than you think.
info_outline The SECURE ActAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill explains how a potential new piece of legislation could create major changes for retirement accounts.
info_outline Asset Protection with Revocable TrustsAsset Protection Today with Bill Alexander
Bill goes into detail on how trusts work and how revocable trusts can be used in your asset protection plan to protect your assets from uncertain family dynamics.
info_outlineOn this Asset Protection Today podcast we talk about the issues and planning necessary so you can protect your assets — but we turn to a topic that is difficult for many to address: a living will. However, in the grand scheme of things, it is equally important — not so much for asset protection but for family harmony and psychological well being.
Living Will Background
The first living will was first created in 1967 by human rights attorney Luis Kutner after experiencing the long and painful illness of a close friend. He advocated for a document allowing people to express their final wishes about using medical life support treatments when nearing death. This concept gained national attention with the case of Karen Ann Quinlan a young woman in a vegetative state.
Her father fought in court to have the right to make legally binding decisions about her treatment and it paved the way for a legal precedent that allows us the right to have our treatment decisions honored, even in the event we are not mentally present to be able to actively voice our wishes.
Importance of the Health Care Agent
Living Wills and DNRs are documents that tell doctors what your wishes are in the event that you can’t communicate with them about treatment options. However you really need to give some thought about granting your health care agent the opportunity to take charge in the event they have concerns. They should also question what decisions and choices the attending doctor wants to make. In many circumstances there is a very strong argument to be made that family members are better interpreters of your wishes than a transactional health care provider at a hospital.
After the fact is too late, so make your plans today to talk to an experienced elder law attorney.