Estate Law Center Podcast - Stewardship of Sisterhood

With the celebration of Mother’s Day this week, certainly a tribute that is memorialized in other fashions throughout the year, stories often come to the forefront of one’s mind that speak to the special bond shared between many a mother and daughter.

As an Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney, I am so thankful for the knowledge imparted – mostly shared by those with wisdom gained from years of practice.  Often a combination of knowing the law and what some may call “street smarts.”  There is no substitution.

Estate Planning - Wellness Check Action -

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions as it relates to Estate Planning in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it may be an indication that having a conversation with your estate planning attorney that includes a discussion about the "wellness check" of your estate planning documents will be well worth the time invested.

Life. Hope. Care. Assets. – The Complete Story

Recently, I was asked to present during a community gathering, addressing two aspects.  The first, being what are the most prevalent challenges faced by most of my clients.  The second, to talk about what the older adult generation contributes to our community. Here are the summarized comments related to Elder Law & Estate Planning in the Commonwealth of Virginia, April, 2019.

Estate Law Center Podcast | Short Stories and Lessons from the Desk of Estate Planning Author & Attorney Katherine S. Charapich, Esq. | Wills - Trusts - Advanced Medical Directives - Power of Attorney - Probate - Estate Administration | Visit https://www.EstateLawCenter.com

Estate Law Center Podcast - Senior Swag & Roles in Estate Planning in the Commonwealth of Virginia

It is my hope that no matter the age, each of us can claim an expanded version of some "senior swag" – the ability to realize one’s purpose, the drive to achieve such a calling, and the thankfulness for the surrounding elements that support the purpose.

One may wonder how "senior swag" and estate planning have any correlation at all, and how having gratitude for anything related to estate planning may even be possible. As I thought on that question, the list of possibilities started out as a few, and then began to expand.

To begin, the only reason that I, and I venture out on a limb to say most estate planning attorneys, are able to provide quality service to clients is because of a wide array of people and elements in place that provide wisdom and structure.

I am thankful for the following that reveal the true intricacies that make estate planning in the commonwealth of Virginia even possible:

Estate Law Center Show 

Traditions & Seven Steps When A Loved One Passes

As an Estate Planning Attorney, I frequently receive the inquiry, “My loved one has passed, now what?”  From the view of how to handle the estate of the decedent in the Commonwealth of Virginia, there are specific approaches and those may run concurrent with family traditions. Here are seven basic steps to consider.

For more information about Estate Planning and Elder Law in the Commonwealth of Virginia go to EstateLawCenter.com

Attorney, Author, & Podcast Host Katherine S. Charapich, Esq. shares perspective on Guardianship, Capacity, and Powers of Attorney of senior adults in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

"When concerned family or friends begin to notice a combination of challenges faced by a loved one, such as: denial of a medical diagnosis, discounting poor living conditions, acts of ignoring financial commitments, not seeking medical treatment when such action is imperative to one's health, inability to understand one's surroundings in a manner that warrants the assistance from others, a susceptibility to exploitation (like scams), and a victim of neglect without the wherewithal to change one's circumstances - seeking legal counsel is wise." ~ Behind the Photo - Road to Guardianship.

The material is intended for educational purposes and does not establish an Attorney-Client relationship. The material is dated September 2018. Please contact an Attorney for your personal matters. For more information visit https://www.EstateLawCenter.com

Roadmap for an Executor in the Commonwealth of Virginia - Seven Steps - July 2018

The call comes late one evening, or early the next morn.  Whether a client or an inquiry from a stranger seeking guidance, when I hear the question, “My loved one has passed, now what?” 

Estate Law Center Attorney Katherine S. Charapich, Esq. shares insights in seven steps to be aware of as an Executor / Executrix in the Commonwealth of Virginia including: Qualification of Executor / Executrix, Attending the Appointment for Qualification, Taking on the role of Executor / Executrix, Inventory for the Decedent's Estate, Accounting for the Decedent's Estate, Debts and Demands Hearing, and Show Cause Against Distribution & Order of Distribution of the Estate.

Estate Law Center Podcast - Asset Protection & Life Mysteries - Before you face a life-altering event, I encourage you to ask yourself if you have adequately protected your interests and put a plan in place in the event you are no longer able to make decisions for your care. Take a thorough look at what assets are part of your estate. Have you protected and controlled those assets for your benefit and use? Have you set forth the distribution of your assets upon your death in a manner that reflects your wishes, which may not be reflective of the distribution default set forth in the Code of Virginia?

What can be shared is that there was no devise or bequest to any of the children. And, when the nondescript piece of furniture was delivered to the neighbor, inside a drawer was a key with a note attached.