You Have the Power. June 2017. By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. The phone rang. The voice was urgent. “My son is away at school and was just in an accident. I called to see how he was and the doctor said that because John is 19, he can’t talk to me without a signed power of attorney or a HIPAA release form. Can you help me?” “Is your son able to sign papers?” “They won’t tell me, and they say he can’t talk on the phone.” “I guess you’ll have to go...

Less Complicating. May 2017. By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. First, the phone call: “Can you look over our wills and trusts? It’s been a few years, and we want somebody to make sure they’re up-to-date. And we’re going on vacation and want to make sure everything is covered in case something happens.” Certainly. Let’s get together. Next week? The meeting. “We had this done about twenty years ago by a lawyer in Rockville. I read your articles, and I...

Marital Agreements.  April 2017 By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. “Now last time, we were talking about marital agreements. Even if you hold everything separately, your spouse can have rights to the property when you die, and on a divorce.” Michele and Herb both shook their heads. “No divorces. Been there, done that. We’re committed to working things out.” “Good deal, but especially in this day and age when more marriages end in divorce than...

Theirs.  March 2017 By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. Pleasantries over, they addressed the issues at hand. “We’ve decided” she said, “half to his kids and half to mine. So, because he has 2 kids and I have 3, but one is both of ours, it should be 5/12 to Gavin, 25% to his son, and 1/6 to each of my two from my first marriage.” “That’s right,” he affirmed. “But my son is getting my 401(k), so that’s his 25%.” “Whoa!” interrupted the lawyer. “I’m just...

Us’ns.  February 2017 By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. “Let’s start with your retirements,” the attorney continued from last week’s article (available online at http://barkleylaw.com/his-hers-and-ours-0117) … “Do you have a prenup?” The clients shook their heads. “I’m not a fan of building escape hatches into marriages,” the attorney confided, “but if you’ve agreed about things like 401(k)s and IRAs, it’s good to put those agreements in writing. That...