FAQs

"My Professional tells me that I'm all organized."

Yet there may be doubt in our minds. When we express concern over the state or completeness of how well our Assets are organized we may be reassured by any given Professional. 'Oh yes, you are covered.' And as far as that professional is concerned ...you may be covered.

Does the extend of your Protection best match your needs? Another question that one might ask ones self is: How is this one respected Professional qualified to make a blanket statement ('...you are covered') when he or she only has a clear view of one aspect of your Asset picture. (think snap shot...not a big moving picture)

It is tempting to write a check lists that would represent the needs that each of us should address in deciding that 'I am covered.' (Wouldn't it be great to make that statement with confidence?)

The problem with check lists or needs analysis is that they tends to be generic. What may be relevant to you may not be relevant to me. And the variables of one Professionals analysis may play differently, depending on yet another unrelated experts analysis. More can be accomplished, in my experience, when my experts are somehow coordinated in a team effort.

A little story might help bring this point home.
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Last Fall I was feeding group of pigs out in their pasture. Apparently the grain wasn't getting to the feed bucket fast enough and in an enthusiastic motion to speed up the process I was the misguided focus of a hungry sow.


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'I only have a few assets.'

When some one dies intestate, (without a will) the court system writes one for us and disposes of our assets as the system dictates. This includes a court appointed Executor.

It may be the best opportunity ever to get our last word in. There are certain legalities that are designed to represent fairness within the dictates of the court written will. There may be better representations of what is best for those that are affected by one's passing.

There will never be another time for the caste of one's influence and wishes to be shared.

Generally there are people that respect and appreciate whatever Assets may be passed along. It might be surprising to find how much value can be placed in simply being mentioned in a Will. That might actually be a part of an
Ethical Will (not to be confused with a Will)

A short story can help point out potential motivation for preparing a Will.
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Imagine the Sam Watson / Belle Beaker family. Sam had been previously married to Joy and when they had abandoned their relationship they never completed their divorce.

Joy had been in a relationship with Sam's (ex) best friend Don for the 19 years since Sam and Joy separated.

Sam and Joy had two children from their marriage and Sam and Belle had three children from their relationship.

Sam died suddenly while away on a construction project. The company flew Sam home and looked after the funeral arrangements.

A few days after Sam's funeral Belle was sorting 'things' out. When she discovered a copy of Sam's will and she had one of those 'OH Shite" moments.

Sam was, technically, still married to Joy. Sam's (ex) best friend Don was the Executor and the entire document predated Sam's relationship with Belle. The conversations that Sam and Belle had shared could only be summarized as good intentions. Procrastination won! Belle....none!

In this case there was a Will...but from Belle's vantage point and from the implications of Sam's most recent life, the Will was not a true reflection of his current expectation or wishes.

Belle and her family lost their home.

As for Joy...she got it all !
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Do I really need a Will ?

It pays to be proactive in these matters. While it may prove to be the option of choice in one set of circumstances, it is generally a gamble that most of us would regret with our 20-20 hind sight.
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'My family knows my wishes in life and death.'

This question may seem a bit ambiguous. I apologize for that.

There are a few implications to the question above. The first would be expressed as another question. Is there a current and legally documented Will ?

If it is a Holographic Will, has its' legitimacy been confirmed by your Lawyer ?

If it has been prepared from a Will Kit structure; am I certain that it accurately expresses my wishes and even if it does...have I consulted with the Professional or Professionals that can assure that what I think I want to do with my Assets is the best disposition for my heirs?

It shouldn't be assumed that these considerations are limited to Wills. Powers of Attorney, incapacitation, and all the
Legal Stuff can apply.

It really comes down to the old quote:
'..an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...'

Complications can occur and bad feelings and disputes can arise when the implied intent of a Will is misinterpreted by the family or not reflected in the spirit or legalities of the Will or 'other' legal documentation.

If it were easy...perhaps every one would have a comprehensive plan in place. The fact is: Many of us don't!
...perhaps worse: Many of us think we have it thoroughly
and properly done and we don't.

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'My family is made up of the combination of 2 marriages.'
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Blended families do have the potential of offering unique challenges and extra consideration.

It isn't likely that all the variables could ever be contemplated on this page but there a few thoughts which immediately come to mind.

Are there factors within the dissolution agreements of previous relationships which need to be factored into the present relationship formalities?

There may not have been formal documentation from previous relationships yet there are still legal responsibilities.
Have these responsibilities been formally recognized within the current situation?

Does the intended Asset distribution fairly represent the needs and expectations of all family members? Are there minors or family with disabilities that need special consideration?

These circumstances have the capacity to offer a unique problem at every turn. Things such as family businesses where old and new realities are part of the business structure can pose extra complications.

We generally have the combined goals of achieving peace, harmony, fairness and logic. Perhaps much more. Individually, most of us don't have all of the expertise needed. Each Professional that we may encounter has a unique Professional perspective. It is likely that the best results will be achieved by somehow coordinating our team members. Remember Gretzky from the first page of

....PROTECT your Ass...

It's about teamwork, coaching and trying to have the foresight to
be where the 'puck' is going to be.
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'I am the last survivor in my family.'

Why? I might ask: Is it a problem?

Perhaps not for me but my friend down the hall ...or around the corner ...
...............or my from 'out of town' may have
concerns that haven't been addressed.

What about incapacitation and the related considerations...Medical Directives, Powers of Attorney and more? Has everything, within reason, been anticipated and formalized?



Incapacitation can present itself in many ways: total or partial, mental and, or physical, short term or medium or long term.
Do I have reliable people and mechanisms in place to deal with these various possibilities?

It may simply be a matter of needing
extra Ordinary services...
.............................................best to be prepared.

The extreme issue for me may focus on when I'm gone.
Why do I need to worry? I suppose that it could be seen as
'some one else's problem' but generally we have favorite charities, perhaps a dearly loved pet
or a cherished friend we would like to honor in our absence.

It comes down to trusting any or perhaps all of these responsibilities to someone else... Sometimes we need help to determine just what the options might be. What are your specific questions? Drop me a note: 20.20ec@gmail.com
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'My parents are both suffering from serious health issues.'

Most of us want to make sure that those who are nearest and dearest to us have their interests protected in both life and death.

This can sometimes be a challenging topic to broach and can ring alarms that can create discomfort. Generally, life partners are very concerned with the welfare of the survivors. We don't always know just who a survivor will be so it is important that every party be reciprocally protected.

If a child or children are unable to determine whether everything that should be done has been done there are often 'arm's length' people that are known and trusted who can be used as a resource. Alternatively there are organizations that specialize in this pursuit and are able to help with unbiased collection of the information needed to assure that the best interests of one and all are addressed.
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'I think the next door neighbor's son is being abusive.'

This question poses one of life's more difficult challenges.

Can I help?
..........Is there really a problem?
....................Is there someone I can call?

The list of questions regarding this concern could grow and grow.

Unfortunately there are no guarantees to be offered here.

Even the best suggestion I can make doesn't come with 100% certainty. It is rather late in the process to make this statement...(not unlike locking the door after the Donkey has escaped from the barn)...but the best defense is a good offense.
Advance planning can avoid these issues or at least reduce the vulnerabilities.

Advance planning would suggest that Assets always be well organized well in advance...and let me emphasize that age is not and never should be the deciding factor here.

Plan early, update routinely and find a team of professionals that you can confidently trust. Always have a backup plan and a backup plan for the backup plan. It is never an easy task. And no plan is foolproof.

Dealing with these situations is difficult even when there is a plan in place. When there is no anticipation, no plan in place...the resources available may range from acceptable to impossible.

There is nothing more challenging than abuse..abuse at any age..elder abuse being most aptly named...but the abuse of people with disabilities or particular inhibitions can be just as suspect and just as devastating.

See Our Stories for more thoughts.

Is there anything I can do to help ?

Depending upon your level of certainty and knowledge there are a few ways to approach this concern.

The first place may be a trusted friends or someone from the clergy. There may be other family members that can be called in to try and make an assessment. Other times it may require a legal intervention complete with court orders , perhaps more.

Occasionally the 'abuse' may come from other directions. Perhaps a neighbor has a sense of entitlement or a nature to take advantage of vulnerable folks.

People at risk are sometimes unaware that they are being victimized. Our forgetfulness can catch us off guard and open the doors to various levels of abuse. Occasionally the abuser isn't even aware that problems are being created by their actions. They were ' just helping'.

Other times the abused individual would rather suffer in silence than make life difficult for the abuser. Other times fear and terror come into play.

There is no 'one size fits all' answer. I wish there were. You have to be the judge. If you feel there is criminal activity of some kind then that does have to be reported to the authorities. If the circumstances are more subtle, making it unclear as to what is happening then the suggestions made earlier may well apply.

..................please Procrastinate Tomorrow!

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'My brother is a person with a severe disability. He is 28.'

Our concern for those special people in our lives can create some very unique challenges as we plan for our futures and ultimately theirs.

This is one concern where there is a significant need to draw upon some very specialized skills to work out the custom plan for each unique situation. Once that situation has been factored in then it can be integrated with the overall plan that fits the individual circumstances.

Other individuals can face similar situations. We need to think in terms of longer term coma victims and the potential of some miracle in medicine or otherwise having an impact that might be cautiously anticipated.

How can we make sure he is protected in the future ?

The best advice here is that each situation deserves a 'master plan' component. It is best to bring the Experts to the table in the most efficient way we are able. In these circumstances it can be difficult to 'see the forest for the trees' so outside assistance has the potential of offering new insight. It's about maximizing and knowing the options. Please contact me with your questions: 20.20ec@gmail.com
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'I watched my niece, a coma victim, wait helplessly for....'

Tragedy can strike at any age...without warning
...................................without mercy!

Bad 'things' happen to other people! Right?

Bad 'things' can happen at any time and no warning is the signature of its success.

Why would I want to anticipate these kinds of circumstances?
Asset #1 is 'me' and if I'm going to protect 'me' to the best of my abilities I need to put some basic protective mechanisms in place.

I may have responsibilities for a young family. There may be other dependents that need to be considered, perhaps a business and employees. (Creditors don't pay big wages when their hands are played.) Perhaps I don't want to put an avoidable burden on other family members.

In the end all that generally can be done is to make something bad, not quite so bad.

How can I be proactive?

Incapacitation in its' many forms has the ability to be the most undesirable of all living, sometimes near living, catastrophes.

There are insurance and contingency plans that can be put in place. Some may be available through a place of work. Others may demand an independent input.

Once again it comes back to working with one or many professionals to determine the best individual plan.

When help is needed it is never too far away. Contact 20.20ec@gmail with your questions.
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'I don't have a contingency plan for my business.'

My Business is important to me and my family. It may be similarly important to a group of employees, business associates or related businesses.

Please click on Biz Buzz assK
and see thoughts on this topic.

Yes there are more questions. See more FAQs.

Click here to see Our Stories.

...and one way or another we are affected by what's happening in business. Read more about it by Clicking here....Biz Buzz assK.