Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog

This is my third and final article addressing what needs to be done after a person passes away. Part 1 addressed what a person needs to do prior to the decedent’s funeral. Part 2 addressed those things that don’t typically need to be done until after the decedent’s funeral, so long as the funeral is not delayed. This column continues that discussion.

This is the second of three articles addressing the topic of what needs to be done when a spouse or loved one passes away. My last article addressed the immediate things that need to be done prior to the decedent’s funeral. This article and my third article address those things that don’t typically need to be done until after the decedent’s funeral. If the funeral is delayed, however, there should be no similar delay in addressing the matters that need to be addressed.

Dear Jonathan: Can you provide a general summary of what needs to be done when a person’s spouse or loved one passes away?

Dear Jonathan: I am thinking about preparing my own estate planning documents, including a will, powers of attorney and a trust. A close friend of mine just went through this process and it cost her thousands of dollars and I really don’t want to spend that much money on attorney fees. I think I can figure it out by doing a little research and finding samples on the internet. I know this is your business and you probably don’t think do-it-yourself estate planning is a good idea but what is the downside of my trying to do this on my own?

Dear Jonathan: My parents just updated their estate plan and told me that they named me in their wills, their trust and their financial and health care durable powers of attorney to act for them when they can no longer act for themselves. I am more than happy to help them, but I would like to know what my responsibilities are when acting in these various roles. When I asked them if they could explain what my duties would be they were not sure how to respond. Can you help?

There are different types of care services available for elders and their caregivers, both in-person and online. Below, we will explore educational, financial, recreational, and supportive service options that can help develop a community for the senior in your life and for yourself in the caregiver role.

In a world where we are living longer, elder housing choices have become more plentiful and commonplace; but the terms used to describe these options have also created confusion. What is the difference between a home for the aged and an independent senior community? Is my loved one ready for a hospice center, or is a nursing home a better fit at this stage?

With advancing technology and ever-evolving science, it is no secret that we are living longer. As our elderly loved ones continue to get older, we want to be sure we are helping them through the aging process as smoothly and as painlessly as possible – not only for their sake, but for ourselves as caregivers.

In Michigan, the age of majority is 18 years. This means that when a person turns age 18, they are no longer a minor and are considered to be a legal adult. Consequently when your child turns 18, you no longer have the legal authority to make decisions for him or her, including financial and health care decisions.

Occasionally clients will request, for one reason or another, that I mail them the originals of the estate planning documents I prepared for them so that they can have them executed outside of my office at a bank or some other financial institution.