FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pontiac, Michigan (10:37am) March 9, 2010
Imagine this: Probate Records reveal that an engaged woman of 8 years finds out her man really has a wife living out of state. As if that wasn't weird enough, the court record reveals this wife had left the state and marriage some 15 years prior. But no one ever bothered to get a divorce. How well do you know your fiancé?
We asked our Emergency Estate Planning Attorney, Joseph J. Dadich, how this greek tragedy occurred and what other Women in this same situation can do. "This was terrible that a man would actually leave all his property to an unnamed Woman – calling herself a 'spouse'. This was a very emotional and financially troubling situation. Fortunately this turned out good as we are able to terminate this spouse' rights in the Probate Court."
He went on to state " this could have been prevented. All he had to do was create a simple Will leaving all his property to the one he loved – his fiancé. Instead this has caused literally thousands of dollars in attorney fees, not to mention sleepless nights for the fiancé." A few other simple ways to have the peace-of-mind that you do not lose out on thousands of dollars and sleep less nights is by creating the following documents:
1. An Emergency Will is a document in which you can spell out where all of your assets will be going and who can guard your children. It does not bypass probate.
2. A VIP Revocable Living Trust allows you to name a person who will handle all of your legal affairs after you pass away. This is the main document to bypass probate and protect immediately 30% or even more of your assets. On a small estate my firm handled (under $250k) the costs where in the range of 43% yikes!)
3. An Emergency Medical Power of Attorney names who oversees critical medical decisions for you.
4. A Living Will is a document referenced in your Medical Power of Attorney which allows someone to pull the plug so you don't have to lay in a bed like a vegetable for the rest of your life (google Terri Schiavo from Floriday case).
5. Life-Saving HIPAA Release – Possibly the most critical document. This document (and 24/7 access system) is the ONLY document that can actually save your life. Not to mention save from $5k or even up to $10k in costs for you and your loved ones to gain access to your medical records – when you need them. Think about this, is your attorney's office open on Friday nights? Do you carry your documents with you when you travel? Undoubtedly the answers are No.
If you are a responsible woman you can get our F r e e Report detailing the '15 Critical Points' every effective estate plan needs.
For more information and interview schedule contact Joseph J. Dadich at contact@1estateplanningmichigan.com or 248.358.6965.
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