Power of Attorney
The Rights of Persons Under a Guardianship
Guardianship can be a critical component of special needs planning, as individuals with severe disabilities who cannot manage personal and financial affairs may need guardians upon turning 18. Legal Guardianship for Adults with Disabilities When children with significant cognitive or developmental disabilities become legal adults, their caregivers may lose the lawful ability to help with […]READ POST »
When Does a Person Lack Capacity in a Guardianship?
The guardianship of an adult, in which a judge appoints an individual to make choices for a person over 18, is appropriate when the adult lacks capacity. Capacity is a general legal term that refers to a person’s cognitive ability. For instance, when people lack capacity to make a will, they cannot execute a valid […]READ POST »
How Do I File for a Guardianship?
No one wants to see a loved one become unable to make decisions for him or herself. If this happens, however, the court may appoint a substitute decision maker, often called a “guardian,” but in some states called a “conservator” or other term. A guardian is only appointed as a last resort if other, less […]READ POST »
The Durable Power of Attorney: Your Most Important Estate Planning Document
For most clients, the durable power of attorney is the most important estate planning instrument available — even more useful than a will. A power of attorney allows a person you appoint — your “attorney-in-fact” or “agent” — to act in place of you – the “principal” — for financial purposes when you need assistance, […]READ POST »
Using Estate Planning to Prepare for Medicaid
Long-term care involves not only a loss of personal autonomy; it also comes at a tremendous financial price. Proper planning can help your family prepare for the financial toll and protect assets for future generations. Long-term care can be very expensive, especially around-the-clock nursing home care. Most people end up paying for nursing home care […]READ POST »
End-of-Life Care Decision Making
Just as we create estate plans for our eventual demise, we also need to plan ahead for the possibility that we will become sick and unable to make our own medical decisions. Medical science has created many miracles, among them the technology to keep patients alive longer, sometimes indefinitely. As a result of many well-publicized […]READ POST »
Single? You Still Need an Estate Plan
Many people believe that if they are single, they do not need a will or other estate planning documents. But estate planning is just as important for single people as it is for couples and families. Estate planning allows you to ensure that your property will go to the people you want, in the way […]READ POST »
Attorney Christine A. Alsop Named to the 2019 Missouri Super Lawyers List.
The Elder & Disability Advocacy Firm is proud to announce that Christine A. Alsop has been named one of the top Elder Law Attorneys in Missouri & Kansas for 2019 by Super Lawyers. This is an exclusive recognition with no more than five percent of attorneys achieving this status. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, […]READ POST »
What is a durable power of attorney?
Missouri law allows a person to appoint another to act as his or her agent, either for a specific purpose or in a more general capacity, by means of a legal document called a power of attorney. Powers of attorney can take many forms and are largely customizable to fit the needs of a particular […]READ POST »
Conservatorships versus powers of attorney
At some point, many Missouri families will need to manage the affairs of an elderly family member who can no longer make decisions. A power of attorney offers a straightforward way to take over decision making, but this legal document must be prepared and signed while the elderly person remains of sound mind. When a […]READ POST »
