Ruth-Ann E. ToupsFeb 252 minYou Can Write a Will Here There and Everywhere!Can you write a will in your car? Sure! Can you write a will on a napkin at a bar? Absolutely! Can you write a will on jar? Definitely!...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsOct 23, 20194 minFive Scary Estate Planning Mistakes That Will Leave Your Loved Ones HauntedCome October witches, ghosts, and scary faces start popping up all over the place. No pharmacy or front yard is safe! While we may enjoy...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsOct 14, 20192 minNaming Co-Agents on Powers of Attorney: Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You ShouldI am often asked by clients if they can name both of their children as joint or co-agents on their medical or statutory durable power of...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsAug 1, 20192 minBack to School is a Great Time to Revisit Your Will (or Get One)The truth is, any time is a good time to revisit your will or get a will done for the first time. It’s always good to be prepared. Still,...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsMar 6, 20192 minDon't Leave for Spring Break Without a Will!Heading off to soak up the sun or swoosh down the mountains this Spring Break? You have undoubtedly spent a great deal of time planning...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsFeb 21, 20192 minFour Important Steps to Take Before DownsizingThis year, I am proud to partner with other knowledgeable business owners to bring community members our “Downsizing Workshop.” These...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsFeb 14, 20193 minKeep the Love Alive: Estate Planning for Blended FamiliesDid you know that a Pew Research Center study reported that 40% of new marriages in the US are remarriages for one or both partners? It...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsFeb 7, 20192 minYour Love Life Might Be Complicated, But Your Estate Plan Doesn't Have to BeThose of us that were on Facebook in the early days may recall the hype around the relationship status option. In particular, you may...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsFeb 1, 20192 minUnder 40? A Will is Just as Important for You as it is for Those Over 55If I have heard it once I have heard it a thousand times: “I am too young to need estate planning.” Estate planning is not just for our...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsJan 25, 20192 minIn Our First YearNext week, The Toups Law Firm will celebrate our first anniversary of being in business. Anyone that has started a business understands...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsJan 17, 20192 min3 Reasons to Update Your WillSo, you have an old will; does it need to be updated? There is no hard and fast rule that every x number of years you should update your...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsJan 7, 20192 minYour New Year's Resolution: Get a WillThe holidays are behind you. The new year is upon you. Now is the time to consider what you want to accomplish this year. Right after...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsDec 6, 20183 minFive Things You Will Leave That Are More Important Than MoneyMost of estate planning involves very serious matters like where your assets will go when you pass away and who would take care of the...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsNov 28, 20182 minWhy You Need an Agent for Disposition of RemainsOne of the most important estate planning documents you may have never heard of is an appointment for disposition of remains. This is a...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsNov 15, 20182 minIs Guardianship Relevant to Me?A declaration of guardian document allows you to indicate who your guardian would be in the rare scenario that you ever need a guardian....
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsNov 8, 20182 minUnderstanding Your Advance DirectiveIn my experience, one of the least understood estate planning documents is an advance directive to physicians. This might be because the...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsOct 30, 20181 minWhat is a Medical Power of Attorney and Why Do I Need One?A medical power of attorney allows the person of your choice to make medical decisions on your behalf, if you are unable to do so. This...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsOct 25, 20181 minWhat is a Durable Power of Attorney and Why Do I Need One?A durable power of attorney—or a statutory durable power of attorney—allows the person of your choice to handle financial, legal, and...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsOct 18, 20182 minEveryone Needs a WillWe have said it before, and we will say it again, everyone needs a will. Old or young, rich or poor, sick or healthy—everyone needs a...
Ruth-Ann E. ToupsOct 11, 20182 minWhat is an Estate Plan?Recently, I was talking to someone I had just met and when I told them I am an estate planning attorney their response was "I don't need...