No one likes to think about or plan for their death. According to the AARP, 60 percent of Americans lack a will or estate planning. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted why knowing your family health history is important. Just like how some underlying health conditions may increase one’s risk with Covid, some conditions that run in your family, like Alzheimer’s or dementia, can greatly impact the amount of care support you might need as you age. The assistance of a lawyer focusing on estates, wills, and trusts can provide peace of mind for you and your family.
BrightStar was honored to speak with Deanne Robison, an associate of Collin’s Law Firm, LLC in Wauwatosa. Deanne began her education as a nursing major in the Philadelphia area; however, after taking several criminal justice courses, she found her true passion and graduated with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. She was accepted into Cleveland Marshall College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate. Deanne practiced in many areas, but found a love of estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She practiced in Cleveland, Ohio, for 25 years before moving to Wisconsin in 2016 to be closer to family.
What is Estate Planning?
So much of Estate planning is not only providing for your legacy, but also providing for events prior to death, such as incapacity. Deanne enjoys educating individuals of all ages, because she has found that without a plan, some choices may be taken away. All estate planning documents should be completed prior to emergencies as there is no guarantee that documents can be completed if someone becomes incapacitated, thus resulting in probate, guardianships, conservatorships, or possible litigation.
Deanne begins by asking the individual to determine who their most trusted advisor is and explore whether that person will uphold your legacy goals. This does not always mean a spouse or child, but rather, that person who you feel will do what is in your best interest and in accordance with your wishes.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A power of Attorney is a document which designates an agent of the Principals choosing, who will make financial decisions, should the Principal become incapacitated or otherwise unable to make decisions.
What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare?
A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare is a document that provides for who will make medical decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated. This will allow your agent to advocate for the medical decisions you would want.
What is an Advance Directive or Living Will?
A Living Will is a sister document to the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, which details the treatments you would be willing to receive should you be unable to make a decision such as end of life measures (i.e. Ventilator, CPR). This document allows you to decide whether you would want to be kept alive by artificial means, in the event you are in either a persistent vegetative state or a terminal condition.
What is a Last Will and Testament?
A Last Will and Testament is a document that is written by a testator to provide their wishes regarding precisely how they would like the distribution of their estate to be carried out upon their death.
What is a Revocable Living Trust?
A revocable living trust is a legal document drafted by an individual which states the allocation of assets and property into a separate entity. In the event the Grantor becomes mentally incapacitated, the Trustee (or Successor Trustee) uses assets within the Trust to provide care for the Grantor and upon death distributes the assets accordingly.
BrightStar is proud to work alongside professionals like Deanne, as we help families in the Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha area. Deanne is available to help guide families through what can be a complicated process. Appointments are scheduled in the office or via Zoom, with an easy appointment calendar located on the website at https://www.giffcollinslaw.com/ or feel free to call the office at (414) 207-6292.
BrightStar was honored to speak with Deanne Robison, an associate of Collin’s Law Firm, LLC in Wauwatosa. Deanne began her education as a nursing major in the Philadelphia area; however, after taking several criminal justice courses, she found her true passion and graduated with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. She was accepted into Cleveland Marshall College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate. Deanne practiced in many areas, but found a love of estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She practiced in Cleveland, Ohio, for 25 years before moving to Wisconsin in 2016 to be closer to family.
What is Estate Planning?
So much of Estate planning is not only providing for your legacy, but also providing for events prior to death, such as incapacity. Deanne enjoys educating individuals of all ages, because she has found that without a plan, some choices may be taken away. All estate planning documents should be completed prior to emergencies as there is no guarantee that documents can be completed if someone becomes incapacitated, thus resulting in probate, guardianships, conservatorships, or possible litigation.
Deanne begins by asking the individual to determine who their most trusted advisor is and explore whether that person will uphold your legacy goals. This does not always mean a spouse or child, but rather, that person who you feel will do what is in your best interest and in accordance with your wishes.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A power of Attorney is a document which designates an agent of the Principals choosing, who will make financial decisions, should the Principal become incapacitated or otherwise unable to make decisions.
What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare?
A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare is a document that provides for who will make medical decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated. This will allow your agent to advocate for the medical decisions you would want.
What is an Advance Directive or Living Will?
A Living Will is a sister document to the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, which details the treatments you would be willing to receive should you be unable to make a decision such as end of life measures (i.e. Ventilator, CPR). This document allows you to decide whether you would want to be kept alive by artificial means, in the event you are in either a persistent vegetative state or a terminal condition.
What is a Last Will and Testament?
A Last Will and Testament is a document that is written by a testator to provide their wishes regarding precisely how they would like the distribution of their estate to be carried out upon their death.
What is a Revocable Living Trust?
A revocable living trust is a legal document drafted by an individual which states the allocation of assets and property into a separate entity. In the event the Grantor becomes mentally incapacitated, the Trustee (or Successor Trustee) uses assets within the Trust to provide care for the Grantor and upon death distributes the assets accordingly.
BrightStar is proud to work alongside professionals like Deanne, as we help families in the Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha area. Deanne is available to help guide families through what can be a complicated process. Appointments are scheduled in the office or via Zoom, with an easy appointment calendar located on the website at https://www.giffcollinslaw.com/ or feel free to call the office at (414) 207-6292.