May 7, 2024
New Developments for a Change!
Spring greetings, everyone! I was going to grouse about the weather taking forever to perk up, but today looks like it's doing its best to keep my mouth shut. I...
Food for Thought
March 1, 2024
Views and News
Early (Very Early) Spring greetings to you all! As a native Southerner, I confess to being less than sanguine about the weather of January and February and to b...
January 15, 2024
Nagging is My Specialty
New Year's greetings, everyone! Now that the blur of the holidays is clearing up and we've all written our thank-you notes (we have, right?), I want to make an...
November 28, 2023
Cautionary Holiday Tales
Holiday greetings, everyone! I hope you've all worked off the tryptophan - or whatever afflicts you from eating too much tofurkey. I always swear I'm going to n...
August 1, 2023
Choosing the Right Executor or Trustee
Phil Runyon discusses why the best executor or trustee may not be the most legally or financially sophisticated family member, and how to think about those choices.
July 1, 2023
Trust Funding, TOD Beneficiaries, and Student Loans
Phil Runyon discusses practical work-arounds for funding revocable trusts, transfer-on-death beneficiaries, vehicle titles, and federal student loan concerns.
May 1, 2023
Estate Planning Tune-Ups
Phil Runyon explains why wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and health care directives may need periodic review as family circumstances and legal requirements change.
March 1, 2023
Last-Minute Wishes, Safe Deposit Boxes, and Obituaries
Phil Runyon discusses why estate planning changes need proper formalities, where to keep final instructions, safe deposit box access, lifetime deeds, and obituary planning.
December 1, 2022
Springing Powers of Attorney and Trust Funding
Phil Runyon discusses springing powers of attorney, health care directives, downloaded wills, revocable trust funding, and when estate planning documents should be refreshed.
November 1, 2022
Family Bequests, Caregivers, and Financial Affairs
Phil Runyon discusses estate planning for in-laws, caregiver bequests, and helping seniors transition financial affairs management.
July 1, 2022
Health Care Directives, Family Stories, and Trust Choices
Phil Runyon discusses keeping health care directives current, preserving family stories, capacity planning, trustee choices, cremation, and trust provisions for vulnerable beneficiaries.
March 1, 2022
Planning for Pets in Estate Planning
Phil Runyon discusses how revocable trusts and estate planning documents can help provide for pets after their owners are gone.
Not legal advice
A note about Food for Thought
Food for Thought offers general educational commentary only and is not legal advice. Reading a post, using the glossary, or following links on this section of the site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact Runyon Law Office PLLC if you would like advice about your own situation.