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...
Food for Thought
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.
March 5, 2020
Suggestions for Senior Dilemmas
Here's a scenario to consider: Your dyed-in-the-wool New England Yankee parent or grandparent is still living alone in the old Cape or Colonial they've been in...
February 6, 2020
SECURE in the Knowledge
No matter where you are this winter, you'll eventually need to know at least the high points of the new SECURE Act of 2019, much of which became effective on Ja...
December 19, 2019
Holiday Semi-Legal Offerings
Sometimes what I offer you is densely legal, but this time it's less so and based more on my experience with human relations this time of year. Specifically, I...
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.