Latest news with #guardianship
Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
10 Estate Planning Tasks Everyone Must Do Before Dying
It's never fun to think about death, especially your own, but estate planning is extremely important. It's unpleasant but by planning ahead and getting your affairs in order, it makes it much easier for your loved ones to move on. The worst thing you can do is avoid it completely. Having no plan means you default to how your state handles probate, which means the judicial process makes decisions for you. Here are the ten estate planning tasks you need to perform before you die: This is the cornerstone of every estate plan. By creating a will, you ensure your assets go where you want them to. It also names guardians for any minor children you have and takes away any legal confusion because it codifies your wishes. Without a will, state laws will take over and the state will decide what happens. You do not need to hire an expensive attorney to draft a will, you can do it yourself with inexpensive online will services or download software. The most important thing is to get one done as soon as you have assets. A living trust gives you the opportunity to transfer assets to others without going through court. You can keep control of the trust while you're still alive and upon your death, the assets go to the beneficiaries. This is very useful for complex estates because it speeds up the process. Unlike a will, which you can do with software, you will want to work with an attorney to set up a trust. There may come a time when you will not be able to make decisions for yourself and that's when a power of attorney becomes important. You could be incapacitated or unable to act on your own but still need someone to make important decisions for you. This person will be able to do things on your behalf so you want to choose someone who is both trustworthy and responsible and, of course, willing to do so. Also, you can have multiple powers of attorney, which can be useful for breaking up responsibilities. This is separate from a regular power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney is a specific role that gives them the right to make medical decisions on your behalf. You want this person to know your wishes with respect to treatment, life support, and quality of life. An ICE binder is an 'In Case of Emergency' binder that captures all of your important information in case something happens to you. This includes all the estate planning documents but could also be letter and notes to individuals that may not fit with other legal documents. The idea is that you want some documents that will explain your wishes even if they are not legally binding. It can help your loved ones navigate your life in ways that exceed that of a will. This is a more modern concern but what do you want to happen to your digital assets such as social media accounts, email, and others. These are often paid services so you'll want a plan in place or risk the default result - deletion due to nonpayment of the subscription. You'll want a list of all your accounts, perhaps as part of your ICE binder, as well as a way to access them and what you wish to happen to them. Also ask your best friend to clear your browser history! As we live longer, long term care becomes a greater concern and you'll want to plan for it. If you don't, you may be saddling your family with a very difficult decision when it comes to paying for it. Loong into long term care insurance, Medicaid planning, or putting aside a big chunk to pay for it. You can add these instructions to your estate plans or lean into insurance policies that offer it. Burial or cremation? That's a challenging question that most people don't discuss or include in their estate plan. Even if you don't have a preference, set one because it will make the lives of your loved ones so much easier. I've been to too many funerals where people said they did not know what the decedent wishes so they were forced to choose. Make sure you talk to your family about your wishes in addition to codifying them in your estate plan. The plan will establish what will happen but it's important to talk to your family about it so they understand your reasoning and thinking on various decisions you've made. You don't have to cover every nitty gritty detail but communication is very important. Finally, make sure you review and update your plans on a regular basis. Be sure to do so after any major changes but also annually just to double check everything is in order. The plan is only as good as as it is up to date.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
North Adams man charged with grand larceny in New York
HILLSDALE, N.Y. (WWLP) – A North Adams man was arrested on Friday in New York in connection with a larceny investigation. Caller impersonates Hampden County Deputy in latest phone scheme The New York State Police stated in a press release that 46-year-old Christopher J. Read of North Adams, Mass., had been appointed as a legal guardian for an individual living in Hillsdale. Following an in-depth investigation, officers found that Read did not use guardianship funds he received for the care and wellbeing of the child in his care. Read allegedly used these funds for personal gain and, in total, misappropriated $38,302.05. The New York State Police Livingston Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Read on Friday and charged him with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree. Read was released on personal recognizance and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Claverack Court on June 25. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- CBS News
Police considering charges against sister of missing Denton woman found safe in Michigan
Authorities are considering charges against the sister of a 76-year-old North Texas woman who was found safe Tuesday morning in Michigan, more than a week after being taken without legal consent from an assisted living facility, according to the Denton Police Department. Karen May Taube, the subject of a statewide Silver Alert, was located at a hotel in Houghton Lake, Michigan, with her sister, Eva Haron. Police say Haron allegedly removed Taube from Willow Bend Assisted Living & Memory Care on May 12 — violating a court order and taking her more than 1,000 miles away. Karen May Taube CBS News Texas Unauthorized removal under review Denton police and the Denton County District Attorney's Office are reviewing potential charges against Haron for interfering with the rights of Taube's court-appointed legal guardian. Authorities said Taube is under guardianship that prohibits contact with Haron. Woman evaluated at hospital, returning to Denton Taube was positively identified at the Michigan hotel by the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department. Investigators had previously believed the two were traveling in a white Ford F-150, though Taube was not considered in immediate danger. As a precaution, Taube was taken to a hospital for evaluation and is expected to return to Denton under her guardian's supervision, police said. The Dallas office of the FBI assisted in the search.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- CBS News
Charges considered after missing Denton woman found safe in Michigan with sister, police say
Charges are being considered against the sister of a 76-year-old Denton woman who was the subject of a statewide Silver Alert and was found safe early Tuesday at a hotel in Houghton Lake, Michigan, according to the Denton Police Department. Karen May Taube CBS News Texas Karen May Taube was located with her sister, Eva Haron, who allegedly removed her from an assisted living facility without legal consent, police said. Unauthorized removal under review Denton police and the Denton County District Attorney's Office are reviewing potential charges against Haron for allegedly interfering with the legal rights of a court-appointed guardian by removing Taube from Willow Bend Assisted Living & Memory Care on May 12. Authorities said Taube is under court-appointed guardianship, which does not authorize contact with Haron. Woman evaluated at hospital, returning to Denton Taube was located and positively identified at the hotel by the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department. Investigators had believed she and Haron were traveling together in a white Ford F-150, though Taube was not considered to be in immediate danger. As a precaution, Taube was taken to a hospital for evaluation and will be transported back to Denton under the supervision of her court-appointed legal guardian, according to police. The Dallas FBI assisted in the search.
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Wendy Williams posts cryptic Mother's Day message about 'horrific situation' amid guardianship drama
Wendy Williams posted a cryptic message ahead of Mother's Day as she briefly opened up about the 'horrific situation' amid her ongoing guardianship drama. The TV personality, 60 - who was last seen making a public appearance in April - has been residing at an assisted living facility in the state of New York after being placed under the guardianship of Sabrina Morrissey in 2022. Williams is mom to son Kevin Jr., 24, whom she shares with ex-husband Kevin Hunter. The pair were married from 1999 until their split in 2019 when he fathered a baby with a mistress. Their divorce was finalized the following year. It is not known if Wendy herself wrote the post - which notably did not include a shout out to her only child. 'HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY TO ALL MOMS. We'd also like to take this time to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have gotten behind exposing this horrific situation,' the caption read. 'Every prayer, every like, every comment, every video, every signature on our petitions, WENDY THANKS YOU!!!' 'HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY TO ALL MOMS. We'd also like to take this time to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have gotten behind exposing this horrific situation,' the caption read The message concluded with, 'We ask for your continued alliance as we continue to push forward with actions. Updates coming soon!!' A floral animation was also included in the star's latest post while 'Happy Mother's Day From Wendy' popped up. Kevin Jr. was previously embroiled in claims that he mishandled his mother's money and took a large amount from her bank account in 2022. Wendy's funds were later frozen and court filings gave an explanation for the bank taking that step, according to People. 'Wells Fargo has strong reason to believe that [Williams] is the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation.' The bank also made the decision due to 'reports of the financial advisor, who has recently witnessed telltale signs of exploitation, including [Williams]'s own expressed apprehensions' and 'other independent third parties who know [Williams] well and share these concerns.' The 24-year-old later denied the allegations in the Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams? A few months earlier in March of this year, it was revealed that the former talk show host has forgiven her son following the financial drama. The star's health care advocate, Ginalisa Monterroso, informed People at the time: 'What the misconception is, what people have to understand is that Wendy told the world now that this happened three years ago. 'So that's something that they were able to get through. That will always be her son, unconditional love. 'And that's pretty much, it was big news to everybody. But again, this happened three years ago,' she continued. It seems the pair have put the past behind them as Williams and Kevin Jr. reunited back in February to celebrate her dad's 94th birthday. Kevin had uploaded an Instagram photo as he posed alongside his mon Wendy and her father Thomas as they flashed smiles towards the camera. He had written, 'Happy I could make this happen for you Papa.. I said by any means and I kept my word.' Beforehand, Williams had expressed her worry that she would not be able to leave the assisted living facility to be with her dad on his birthday. Monterroso told the outlet, 'He was there. And that's the last part. But I do know that she continued to communicate with him. And that's her honey bunny.' Williams was last spotted out in public on April 11 as she joined pals at Fresco by Scotto in NYC. In photos taken at the time, the former talk show host held a big grin on her face as she enjoyed dessert with niece Alex Finnie, Baruch Shemtov and Rosanna Scotto. One day earlier, Wendy had also left her assisted living facility - which she has compared to a 'prison' - to have dinner with Don Lemon in the Big Apple. She had also been accompanied by niece Alex and the former CNN host's husband Tim Malone. It came just one day after the star's guardian reportedly denied Williams from having dinner with her niece and new lawyer. Wendy seems to have a close friendship with Lemon, and notably appeared on his podcast The Don Lemon Show earlier this year. At the time, she expressed: 'My life is ridiculous. I've been with this guardian person for three years. For three years of my life... I'm isolated. I feel like I'm in prison. I can't go out. All I can do is look at the window.' Lemon then questioned the star if she was 'incapacitated' and in response, Williams simply said, 'Hell f***ing no.' Wendy was placed under the guardianship of Sabrina Morrissey in 2022 - and last year in November she claimed that Williams was 'permanently incapacitated' by her dementia battle. Back in 2023, the TV personality was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. When Lemon brought up her guardian's allegations, Wendy said, 'I don't know how much I can talk without being punished.' She later added, 'I'm not in a good position. My life is screwed up. You know, this guardian mess is - please, look, I am isolated. I feel like I'm in prison. I feel like, you know, they're trying to control me and everything that I do.' Also in April, Morrissey reportedly refused to allow Wendy to leave the assisted living facility called Coterie to have dinner with her niece and new attorney Joe Tacopina. The star hired Tacopina - who recently represented A$AP Rocky - to help secure her freedom from her three-year conservatorship. A #FreeWendy movement has since begun and in early April, Williams was seen banging on her window from inside the facility as supporters rallied for her below on the street. However, Morrissey told People that Wendy is refusing to undergo certain medical tests - a MRI brain scan and neuropsychological assessment - as she aims to get out of the guardianship. Sabrina stated, 'Medical testing, including an MRI brain scan and neuropsychological assessment, had been scheduled for Ms. Williams.' The appointment was set for March 21 - but the star did not go. 'The Court directed that the testing be completed in March. Ms. Williams has declined to participate in the testing to date and therefore, the testing was not completed.' She added, 'The parties are not able to address the concerns that have been expressed to the media without the testing. Once Ms. Williams undergoes the testing and a full evaluation, the results will inform the next steps for Ms. Williams' care.' However in response, Wendy also told the outlet: 'I don't know anything about that.' She then added 'bulls***' and said, 'I am open to what I am open to and I can't talk about it right now.' In March, it was revealed that Wendy was obtaining a new legal team in a bold move to break free from the guardianship. Ginalisa Monterroso, the CEO and founder of Connect Care Advisory Group, also informed to Page Six the importance of Williams obtaining a new legal team in order to get out of the conservatorship. 'She's just stuck in what she calls a luxury been no plan put in place for her, no paperwork, no hearings. There was no strategy or help lined up for her at all.' Ginalisa explained that she talks to the star almost daily and has also sent a letter to Adult Protective Services in New York. She also told the outlet, 'A doctor in Florida first examined her in 2019 and his diagnosis was alcohol-related dementia. 'She's also had serious thyroid issues since her 30s and there's such a thing as thyroid-related dementia. She also has Graves disease which is why her eyes sometimes bulge.' Monterroso continued, 'Whatever it is, a guardianship is supposed to be for someone who doesn't know to put on a coat in winter or doesn't remember to pay bills or wanders out and doesn't know where they are. 'That's not Wendy. So then why put an alcoholic in a memory care unit and throw away the key?' In mid-March, her assisted living facility called the NYPD when Wendy left to grab dinner with her niece. Days later, she defiantly stepped out for dinner once again in NYC. Attorneys for Morrissey had sent a letter to and stated that the drama surrounding the guardianship is 'untrue, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading.' Her attorneys further said in the letter that 'contrary to many media reports, Morrissey, as guardian, did not declare Wendy Williams to be legally incapacitated' - since a guardian does not have the power to do so. Wendy also called into Good Day New York to explain that she passed a psychiatric evaluation with 'flying colors.' She later gave details about the living facility she is staying at and said, 'And you know, I'm on the fifth floor. It's called the memory unit. This is a floor, you know, you don't remember anything. Like really? 'And as far as me being able to go outside, I'm not allowed. You know, I have to stay in this building,' she continued, and added she needs to be 'permitted' in order to go to the gym that is located on the third floor.' Wendy then emotionally stated that her money is 'up in the air' before saying, 'This is my life.' Towards the end of the interview, she shared that leaving her guardianship is 'the number one most important thing.'
