Marriage Equality –– It’s a right not an obligation!

With so much celebration (and consternation by some) regarding the arrival of same-sex marriage in the Carolinas and many other states in 2014, you may be feeling that many of your friends and family members are expecting that you and your same-sex partner will be racing to the altar. Given the attention focused on the […]

Same-Sex Marriage Now Legal in VA. North Carolina Next?

Absent action by the US Supreme Court today, same-sex couples may begin to wed in the State of Virginia beginning tomorrow, Thursday, August 21st.  The imminent legality of same-sex marriages in Virginia is the result of the ruling made last week by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals that the court would not place a […]

Should I have a Healthcare Power of Attorney or Living Will?

Healthcare powers of attorney and advance directives are created by statute. Similar to durable powers of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney is a document in which you (the principal) designate an agent (the healthcare attorney-in-fact) to make healthcare decisions when you are incapacitated or unable to communicate those decisions on your own. Importantly, your durable power […]

What is a Durable Power of Attorney? Do I need one?

Trusts can often be the companion piece to a will in your estate plan, but since the topic of trusts can be so broad, there will be comments posted on them at a later time. Today, I want to talk about durable powers of attorney. In its simplest form, a power of attorney is a document in […]