Free Downloads & Elder Law-Related Resources
Southside Virginia Estate Planning Law Firm
***We've put together some free downloadable resources to help with some common estate planning and elder law concerns and questions. Simply scroll down to the bottom of this page, and enter in the information into the required fields for these downloads, and you will receive an email with your selected information.***
What to Do with Your Executed Estate Planning Documents (Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Will, etc.,)
Now that you have completed and signed your planning documents, what do you do with them? Which documents should be kept at home and which of your documents need to be given to other professionals? Should any of them be recorded in the clerks' office? Once you sign them, there are a few remaining steps! Find out what you should do next in this helpful guide.
You've Been Appointed Guardian & Conservator Over Someone...WHAT'S NEXT?
Here is the scenario: You have been appointed by the court as someone's Guardian and/or conservator because it has been determined they now lack capacity due to illness or accident, and had no estate planning documents in place. Since they can no longer take care of their own affairs themselves, what happens now? This page goes into a brief overview of what is involved: Guardianship Overview
What To Do When a Loved One Passes Away Checklist (Probate - Step 1)
When a loved one passes away, it is an understandably stressful time. It can be even more stressful and/or traumatic trying to remember all of the details that must be taken care of related to a person's death during what is already a difficult time. If you are in charge of handling the affairs of the decedent (the person who has just died), this initial checklist provides some of the more important considerations to think about.
Common Questions Regarding Probate in Virginia (Probate - Step 2)
What questions should you be asking if the estate of a loved one is going through probate? The Estate & Elder Law Center of Southside Virginia lists some initial questions to consider in this quick reference available for download. For an additional, comprehensive guide to the probate process from the Virginia Court Clerks' Association, download a copy of "Probate in Virginia" to address common questions people normally have by clicking this link: Clerks' Office Guide to Probate In Virginia.
Administering a Decedent’s Estate (Probate - Step 3)
When a loved one passes away, his or her estate often goes through a court-managed process called probate or estate administration where the assets of the deceased are managed and distributed. Probate/Estate Administration can be overwhelming at first, but can be done in a straight-forward manner once one is aware of the responsibilities and duties. This downloadable resource, "Administering a Decedent’s Estate" provides a brief overview of these duties and a list of frequently asked questions and answers. After reviewing this download, For more information and a more thorough, detailed explanation of the process, be sure to also check out this helpful guide courtesy of the Virginia Bar Association, by clicking this link: A Guide to the Administration of a Decedent's Estate in Virginia.
NOTE: If you are administrating an estate, a good resource for any remaining questions you may have after reading through this guide would be the Commissioner of Accounts in your respective area. For larger and more complicated estates (for example, in the $250,000 and up range,) It is best to consult with a Certified Elder Law Attorney in this area. If you have questions, please contact us!
