News & Insights

Resources on Trusts, Investments, Estate Planning, Financial Issues, and Living Well

You have what it takes to be the trustee of your trust. You are responsible and sensitive to the needs of your trust’s beneficiaries. You understand business and investments. You can easily manage your trust assets. You assumed the role of trustee without much thought and it’s been an easy experience. Remember, however, that it [...]
Naming a family member or friend as your trustee may be the simplest choice, but it may not always be the best choice. Before you decide who will protect your assets—family member, friend, financial advisor or a professional trustee—consider these questions and answers carefully. Can the person devote the necessary time and attention to your [...]
We unfortunately keep seeing examples of public figures not getting an estate plan in place.  Aretha Franklin is the most recent example, even though family circumstances, such as a special needs son and accumulated assets, suggested it was critical to complete the planning.  Now all her business will be public and her family will have [...]
Being responsible for someone else’s affairs under powers of attorney is a lot of work.  If you are being asked to serve as agent under power of attorney, ask yourself these three questions:   Are you able to drop everything, perhaps for weeks or months, and make crisis medical decisions? Do you have the emotional [...]
Parents with a child with special needs have additional considerations in their estate planning.  Who steps in to care for the adult daughter or son with special needs when the parents are gone?  This article highlights important factors in that decision.  Mission can be part of the solution by serving as the corporate trustee for [...]
True Story:  Neighbors found a man in his 70’s who has dementia wandering the neighborhood with his shotgun.  The family and neighbors were fortunate that nothing had happened, but it is a clear call to action.  Will you wait until it is too late to take action to keep your family members and friends safe? [...]
Last year, E*Connect featured a story that went viral at the NextAvenue.org site:  “Sorry, Nobody Wants Your Parents Stuff.”  The writer returns with suggestions for Boomers about how they can deal with their stuff using a legacy-based approach.  Some of us at Mission are working on this, too! NextAvenue.org
Hospice services are widely recognized by patients and families alike to be beneficial.  Unfortunately, individuals who could benefit from the services wait unnecessarily long to seek hospice support.  New efforts by Medicare may help shift this experience by allowing patients to have hospice support while seeking curative treatment. NextAvenue.org