You Are Only As Good As Your Surrogate

Sunday, 12 January 2014 21:20
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I am sure you have seen this, but it is still worth commenting on.  A 13 year old California girl suffered tragic complications after undergoing sleep apnea surgery and was declared brain dead by the physicians at the hospital where the surgery was performed.  Her family has contested the “brain death” declaration and has had her transferred to an disclosed facility with beliefs similar to theirs.

Two major points (no snark with these horrible circumstances):

1.  Adults can avoid the ramifications of a similar situation by executing a living will about their intentions if declared brain dead and by designating a health care surrogate to act in their stead via a health care power of attorney.

2.  The declaration of intent and designation of a surrogate are only as good as the person tasked with carrying out one’s wishes.  Be sure that the surrogate shares one’s intellect and values, and respects one’s wishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fake Tan, Fake Debts, Short Marriage

Sunday, 05 January 2014 20:17
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An NYC heiress has accused her estranged husband of duping her into giving him $750K of her trust funds which he allegedly spent on his mistress.  The 39 year old woman met her 30 year old husband at a tanning salon in 2010, married him in 2011, and soon ended up withdrawing funds to pay his alleged “gambling debts.”  At one time she withdrew $150K cash from a bank and placed it in a duffel bag.  She alleges that her husband used the funds to take his mistress to  Vegas and the Dominican Republic and to purchase gifts from Bloomingdales, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier.

Three quick points:

1.  A trust fund that allows a beneficiary to withdraw $150K and place it in a duffel bag is not very effective.

2.  A trust beneficiary capable of being duped to the tune of $750K in 2 years needs more restrictive trust terms.

3.  In ranking questionable locales for meeting prospective spouses, a tanning salon ranks below AA but only slightly above a rehab facility.

Happy New Year

Sunday, 05 January 2014 18:18
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I hope the new year is treating you well.  I am back in town after some time in Florida with my family.  Blog post to follow soon.  In the meantime, here is a picture of my children.

 

 

Merry Christmas

Tuesday, 24 December 2013 17:33
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And a Happy New Year.

http://youtu.be/hJwPM8UWwGk

 

Rick Dees’ Family Would Not Act This Way

Sunday, 22 December 2013 21:20
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The family of long time American Top 40 host, Casey Kasem, settled their dispute over his health care on Friday.  The children from his first marriage had requested a conservatorship because they alleged that their step-mother was not permitting them to see him.  A court appointed doctor had opined that Kasem, who is bed ridden and hospitalized with Parkinson’s disease, would want to see his children.   Details of the settlement are undisclosed.

Several points:

1.  These types of disputes are fairly common with second marriages and children from a prior marriage.  They are also common among siblings when one child lives out of town.

2.  To reduce the risk of conflict, an individual should execute a durable power of attorney for health care and a financial power of attorney.   Further, the attorney in fact under both documents should communicate with other family members.

3.  Because terms of the settlement are undisclosed, it remains unknown if the Kasem children are permitted to visit their father, or if they have to send him long distance dedications.