The law impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, yet we seldom stop to reflect on the tools, documents, and procedures that allow our society to function. Property and contracts, insurance and credit, taxes and estate planning: These issues may be intimidating, but getting on top of your legal affairs is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family. The good news is that a few simple concepts, a little organization, and some step-by-step planning can help you get your legal life into the best shape possible.
Author(s): Sally Hurme
Series: The Great Courses
Publisher: The Teaching Company
Year: 2020-01
Language: English
Pages: 144
Tags: Law;
Professor Biography......Page 3
Table of Contents......Page 5
Disclaimer......Page 6
Course Scope......Page 7
1—Get Your Legal Life Together Now!......Page 8
First Steps......Page 9
Finding the Documents......Page 11
Finding an Attorney......Page 12
Questions to Consider......Page 13
2—Reducing Debt by Reading the Fine Print......Page 14
Credit Card Debt......Page 15
Mortgage Debt......Page 16
Student Loans......Page 17
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 19
Questions to Consider......Page 20
3—Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft......Page 21
Numbers......Page 22
Practicing Security......Page 23
Digital Security Measures......Page 24
Medical Identity Theft......Page 25
Being Aware of Identity Theft......Page 26
Flagging a Credit Report......Page 27
Other Services......Page 28
Questions to Consider......Page 29
4—Knowing Your Property Rights......Page 30
Important Documents: Buying......Page 31
Important Documents: Renting......Page 32
Condominiums......Page 33
Cooperatives......Page 34
Short-Term Rentals......Page 35
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 36
Questions to Consider......Page 37
5—Deciding Whether a Timeshare Is for You......Page 38
Background on Timeshares......Page 39
Negotiating......Page 40
Selling a Timeshare......Page 42
Conclusion......Page 43
Questions to Consider......Page 44
6—Choosing the Insurance You Need......Page 45
Annuities......Page 46
Life Insurance......Page 47
Disability Insurance......Page 48
Homeowner’s Insurance......Page 49
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 50
Questions to Consider......Page 51
7—Figuring Out Your Retirement Finances......Page 52
401(k) Plans)......Page 53
Withdrawals and Pensions......Page 54
Social Security......Page 55
Receiving Social Security Benefits......Page 56
Other Considerations......Page 58
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 59
Questions to Consider......Page 60
8—Making the Most of Medicare and Medicaid......Page 61
Medicare Part A......Page 62
Medicare Part B......Page 63
Medicare Part D......Page 64
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 65
9—Weighing the Benefits of Reverse Mortgages......Page 67
The Basics......Page 68
Eligibility Considerations......Page 69
Long-Term Consequences......Page 70
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 72
Questions to Consider......Page 73
10—Comparing Retirement Communities......Page 74
Active-Living and Age-Restricted Communities......Page 75
Continuing-Care Retirement Communities......Page 76
Assisted Living Facilities......Page 77
Skilled Nursing Facilities......Page 78
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 79
11—Drafting Your Estate Plan......Page 80
The Purpose of a Will......Page 81
Foregoing a Will......Page 82
Reasons for a Will......Page 83
Special Circumstances......Page 84
Questions to Consider......Page 85
12—Understanding and Using Trusts......Page 86
Living Trusts......Page 87
Key Provisions......Page 89
Trusts and Wills......Page 90
Specialized Trusts......Page 91
Questions to Consider......Page 92
13—Controlling Who Gets Your Property......Page 93
Background......Page 94
Life Estates......Page 95
Adding a Child’s Name to a Deed......Page 96
Bank Accounts......Page 97
Questions to Consider......Page 98
14—Separating Probate Facts from Fiction......Page 99
Background and Definitions......Page 100
The Process......Page 102
The Executor’s Duties......Page 103
Conclusion......Page 105
Questions to Consider......Page 106
15—Conveying Your Personal Wishes in Writing......Page 107
Your Final Wishes......Page 108
Your Personal Property......Page 109
Ethical Wills......Page 111
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 112
16—Creating a Financial Power of Attorney......Page 113
Background on Powers of Attorney......Page 114
Selecting an Agent......Page 115
Protection from Abuse......Page 116
Being an Agent......Page 117
Questions to Consider......Page 118
17—Caregiving by Contract or Court Order......Page 119
Family Caregiving Agreements......Page 120
Making a Decision and Setting Terms......Page 121
Guardianship......Page 123
Obtaining Guardianship......Page 124
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 125
18—Preparing Medical Advance Directives......Page 126
Background on Advance Directives......Page 127
Health-Care Agents......Page 128
Preparing an Advance Directive......Page 129
DNR Orders......Page 130
POLSTs......Page 131
Suggested Reading and Resources......Page 132
Bibliography......Page 133
