Did you know that as soon as your child turns 18, you lose automatic access to their health, school, and financial information? When a child turns 18 and becomes a legal adult, it’s a momentous occasion—filled with...more
As the back-to-school season kicks off and college students begin their fall semester, now is the perfect time to consider the financial implications of your child heading off to college. The decision of whether to claim them...more
Well, it was great while it lasted. The summer is already drawing towards its epic conclusion and if you are a parent, you know what that means...getting your kids ready to go back to school....more
As your child approaches their milestone 18th birthday, it's crucial to understand the changes and responsibilities that accompany reaching the age of majority in the eyes of the law. This moment marks their transition into...more
Can a person claiming to be the decedent’s biological child out of wedlock obtain a court order directing DNA testing of the decedent’s acknowledged children, in order to verify her claim? In Matter of Estate of McGuire, 203...more
It’s an exciting moment when your children turn 18 and become adults. They might leave home, go to college, travel by themselves, or they might get a new job in a new place. Now, they need to make their own decisions. And as...more
One does not expect to see an article about individual mental illness and efforts to manage it on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. But these are extraordinary times in the sense that we are seeing lots of families...more
If you read any kind of news feed today, the topic du jour is housing affordability. And the reason it is the topic is because prices have been insane for four years. This is especially true in the “starter” part of the...more
In Pennsylvania, a child is emancipated for purposes of custody at the age of 18, and at that point, your “child” is no longer subject to a custody order. However, you still may have a duty to support your children beyond the...more
While they may still be under the care of their parents, college-aged or other young adult children should have certain legal documents in place in case of emergency or incapacitation, as well as to ensure prudent management...more
Your child’s transition to adulthood is an important time in life. If your child has reached age 18, particularly an adult child traveling to attend school or work, critical legal changes have occurred. At age 18, your child...more
Before you pack the car and bring your student to their new home at college, there is an important bit of estate planning each family should consider. At the age of eighteen, a child become a legal adult....more
Now that high school graduation season has passed, parents of college students (or of any child who has turned 18 years old) should encourage their adult children to execute a durable power of attorney, health care proxy and...more
This morning (5/17) presented an article by Michael Waters in the on-line edition of The Atlantic noting that only about half of Americans die with a will (i.e., testamentary instrument) and suggesting that many of the state...more
Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District, March 30, 2022 In this matter, the decedent alleged exposure to asbestos during military service, throughout his career working at various industrial plants, and at his own home...more
Dana Perry and Greg Willett of Chambliss will host two special guest panelists — Zach Hurst with The Trust Company and Tracy Wood with Alleo Health. We will cover topics such as self-care for caregivers, why it is important...more
Adult children often ask, do I have to pay for my parent’s care? That depends. If you have taken control of your parent’s assets and income, absent a provision in a durable power of attorney allowing you to gift your...more
If you’re preparing to send a child off to college this fall, you should add two documents to your back-to-school checklist: (1) a power of attorney for health care, and (2) a durable power of attorney for finances. Without...more
In a March 9, 2021 opinion, the Maryland Court of Appeals signaled the end of what it termed “an elaborate web of procedural history” by answering two questions certified to it by the United States District Court for the...more
Believe it or not, as of your child's 18th birthday, your child is an "adult" in the eyes of the law. With colleges and many businesses shut down due to COVID-19, your adult child might be living back under your roof and...more
A fiduciary is a fancy legal term for the person who will take care of your property for you if you are unable to do it yourself, such as the executor of an estate, the trustee of a trust, or an attorney-in-fact under a power...more
One of the most difficult decisions to make when it comes to estate planning is choosing who will serve as guardian of minor children. In my experience, this is often the sticking point for most couples. My recommendation is...more
The holiday season has come and gone, and it's hard to believe that we are on the brink of a new year and decade. For many of us, the start of a new year can be a time of empty commitment to self-betterment....more
Do you know the differences in estate tax law for couples when both spouses are U.S. citizens vs. when one spouse is a non-U.S. citizen? Or what nonlegal document should accompany a will? We are pleased to present the...more
Do you have a child who is leaving home for the first time for college, travel or employment? If so, before they go, talk with your child about signing a HIPAA release, a healthcare proxy and a power of attorney. A qualified...more