By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. April 2018. The attorney’s phone rang. He activated his headset, “This is Tim.” “Good morning! This is Elizabeth Johnson. I need to talk to you. It’s about my parents. My mother fell last night, and was taken to a local hospital with a broken hip. She hit her head, too, when she fell. My dad is upset, and not making much sense.” They met a couple of hours later. “I’m sorry about your folks!” “Thank...

By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. March 2018. The bell on the outside doorknob jangled, startling the attorney out of his reverie. It had been a long day, and there was another client appointment pending. He straightened, stretched and strode to the waiting room. A middle-aged couple stood waiting there. He held out his hand, introducing himself. They reciprocated, “Albert Johnson, but you can call me Bertie.” “Elizabeth Johnson, and please...

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...