Mary Lynn Kirby, Attorney at Law

Fun at Callaway with the office staff!

Enjoying a good burger at the lake with law partners and families! Life is good!

SO....here we are...Sunday Night Live....Let's talk about BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS...very important. You know what? They trump the Will. That little box you fill out when you apply for life insurance or on your retirement account...they matter! Make sure they are updated and say what you want them to say. You can get creative and name the Trust in your Will as the beneficiary and then your minor children will have access to the funds through the wisdom of the Trustee and not get all the funds at 18 (which can be a nightmare!) First, you must have a good will with a trust created in the will... To Dos: Check your beneficiary designations and make sure you have a good will and that it is updated as well.

All right, how about Sunday Night Live again...which I have not done in while...Nancy, you asked for an elder law issue..let's address this one...Never put off tomorrow what you can do today! When you believe that you or your loved one may be seeing the first stages of dementia or any related mental impairment, do not delay...estate planning documents MUST be done immediately while the person is still able to make cognizant decisions...The documents could become very critcal to have in place, especially the Health Care Directive that will allow an Agent to act on behalf of the mentally compromised person... Your thoughts? Stories of your own?

A summer thought for all you parents of young ones--if you are going on vacation without them, make sure you leave the person in charge with a thorough medical release signed by both parents and that the person in charge (Grandma) also has a HIPPA release to talk to the Dr.s about your minor child. Just a thought...Grandma will love you for it!