Danielle G. Van Ess

How Do I Find the Right Lawyer to Write My Will and Trust?

Step one was realizing that you need a Will, Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will, and other Estate Planning legal documents. Those are all necessary parts of having your own comprehensive estate plan. Or maybe you recognized that it is time to update your Will, Trust, and estate plan because so …

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9/11 – 20 Years Ago Tomorrow, somehow feels like just yesterday & a lifetime ago

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, my husband and I woke up before dawn in Rome, Italy to fly home through NYC to Washington, D.C., where we were living at that time. He snapped this picture of me as we were leaving for the airport. Around 11:00 am Eastern time, somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, we watched on …

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How to Manage Social Media Accounts in Case of Death – Facebook & Instagram

Did you know that when someone dies that person’s social media accounts remain active until a family member memorializes, deactivates, or deletes the accounts? DGVE law is pleased to provide you with this practical, step-by-step guide on how to handle your loved ones’ social media accounts. ( Download print version.) Facebook: How to add your …

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How Much For a Simple Will?

This is the #1 question we field and also one of the most challenging to answer.    There are very inexpensive Will-drafting software packages for sale in office supply and box stores (about $50), there are relatively inexpensive online Will drafting services (about $100), there are are fresh-out-of-law-school newbies advertising on Craigslist who will draft a …

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18-Year-Olds Need Estate Plans, Too

Every adult needs at least a few basic legal documents to provide for her own medical and financial affairs. Once a person turns 18 years old he becomes a legal adult. This matters from an estate planning perspective because: Parents or legal guardians lose their right of access to information about that young adult. The …

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Spring Cleaning? Dust Off Your Old Estate Plan With this Checklist

DGVE law’s March workshop featured a checklist for dusting off your old estate plan.  Here are some details to help you evaluate whether your plan will do what you need, and when.  My legal documents were drafted by a Massachusetts attorney following a review of my family and financial circumstances and a personal consultation with me to clarify my …

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