A “free” power of attorney is very much like free firearms, free explosives, and free hazardous chemicals. Each item may be useful when someone uses it properly, but it would be irresponsible to deliver such things to people randomly. This article explains why it is dangerous for people to sign an off-the-shelf, “free” power of […]

We wrote tips in our most recent article for people who want to sell their homes without realtor assistance (see recommendation to always hire a realtor in Part 1 of this article series). In this article, we describe some of the things that a seller can expect in a real estate sale transaction. If a […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Tom Selleck and other charming celebrities have pitched reverse mortgage plans to senior citizens for years in television ads like Selleck’s ad posted on YouTube. Mr. Selleck says reverse mortgages are not “too good to be true,” but should people believe him? Well, it depends… […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] We have heard people tell us for decades that they want to “avoid probate.” They say it as if they want to avoid cancer. Most people have no idea what it is that they think they should avoid. Fewer people know that the “probate” concept […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Business owners hire attorneys to help them establish their businesses and sensible people hire attorneys to prepare their estate plans. Unfortunately, home buyers often rely solely on the advice of non-lawyers to protect them from real estate transaction risks. For most people, a home is […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] You have probably heard that “a man’s house is his castle.” Many people invest more money in their homes than in all of their other assets. This article begins a two-part series on basic information and precautions that ordinary people should know about buying and […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] This article concludes a two-part series of about joint bank accounts and other kinds of asset co-ownership (click here to read Part 1). Joint Accounts – Name Sequence Some people mistakenly think that it makes a difference whether someone’s name appears first or second on […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] This article is the first part of a two-part series of about joint bank accounts and other kinds of ownership of bank accounts and investments (Click here to read Part 2). We have seen many avoidable cases of error, fraud, and abuse over the years. […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] You wake up one morning to the sound of a lawn mower running just outside your window and discover that your neighbor is mowing your lawn. Should your response be: a.) thank your neighbor for this random act of kindness; b.) offer to pay your […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] We Americans are very agreeable people. We make agreements with hospitals and doctors to deliver our children and with funeral directors to bury our parents. Some simple agreements only require common knowledge. In other cases, however, seemingly simple agreements may have important, permanent consequences. It […]