It's the Law!

JUPITER LAW CENTER has published hundreds of informative articles in various local newspapers and magazines since 1988. Below are just a few of the articles and Questions & Answers that help explain every-day Legal Issues in simple, easy-to-understand language.

DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
A WILL, LIVING TRUST, LIVING WILL
and DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY?

WILL: A Will lists the beneficiaries who you want to inherit your assets (real estate and personal property) upon your death. It may designate a person of your choice to serve as Personal Representative to handle your Estate and the Guardians to be in charge of the custody and property of your children.

LIVING TRUST: You may place your assets into a Living Trust during your lifetime; and upon your death, the assets pass to the heirs designated in the Trust without a Probate proceeding. Trusts are also used to avoid or diminish taxes and/or in conjunction with Medicaid planning, but you still need a Will to make sure that any assets not placed in the Trust are accounted for.

LIVING WILL: It expresses your wish not to be kept alive by an artificial life support system or by forced feeding in the event of an illness where death is imminent. The Living Will affords death with dignity.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY: It designate someone (as an Attorney-in-Fact) to handle your financial and personal affairs when you are incapacitated - and may also provide for one (a Health Care Surrogate) to manage your health and medical needs during such time. When you die, it ceases to be effective because at death,
your Will takes over.

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