Sage Legal

12/18/2024

One of the easiest set of documents to get in place that can have a massive impact if you ever need them is a power of attorney package.

This is a super simple, set of documents that makes sure you:

1) have named someone to take care of financial and legal matters on your behalf if you are alive and unable to do so yourself;
2) have named someone to medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself; and
3) document any wishes you have for your medical care in case someone needs to step in to communicate on your behalf.

While these are some of the easiest documents for us to create, they also tend to bring up the most difficult conversations. It's not filling them out that is the hard part - it's knowing how, making the decisions, and ensuring they are completed properly so they work when you need them to that is.

Angela, our founder, is a lawyer and an ICF certified life coach who excels at facilitating difficult conversations so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your loved ones. There is no one right answer to all the questions you have to answer. Learning to get to the best answers for you is just part of the benefit of working with a lawyer.

If you would like more info or to schedule a consult, please message us or book a consult right from our website at sagelegalcounsel.com

12/17/2024

'Ti's the season!

If you're trying to come up with a gift idea for the new adult who has everything (or an apartment so small there isn't room for anything else), why not gift them with their first estate plan?

Everyone over the age of 18 benefits from having the 3 core documents that make up the foundation for every package we do:

- a will;
- a durable power of attorney for financial affairs; and
- health care agent forms.

Our starter package is perfect for anyone who:
- is unmarried;
- does not have children; and
- does not own real estate.

Help the new adults in your life get started on their path of Adulting 101. We will teach them about these important documents and let them know when they should update them later in life.

It's a gift that will stand out for years to come!

12/16/2024

Last night was the final episode of "the season" for Yellowstone.

SPOILER ALERT *** If you're a fan and haven't watched the final season, you may want to skip this post.

We don't watch a lot of TV, but someone got us to start watching Yellowstone and, well, we had to see it to the end.

One of the biggest issues in this final season was the "inheritance tax" the Dutton family was facing and the reason they couldn't keep the ranch.

A few thoughts on this:

1) There are ways to plan for this in advance to reduce or minimize taxes;

2) There are ways to plan in advance for ways to help pay for taxes;

3) Trusts do not name an "Executor," they name a trustee. Pet peeve here - use the right terms, TV writers!

There is a lot more to unpack around the legal issues that arose during the unfolding of this show (let's not even get into the legal ethical violations Jamie and Sarah committed - even beyond their criminal acts).

The good news is that most of our clients won't likely be facing any of these issues.

If you would like to talk about your own planning, figure out your own needs, and see how painless we make the process, send us a message or book a free 30 minute consult right from our website.

Want to read more about the season finale? Here you go:

The final episode of season 5B called back '1883' and could function as a series finale.

12/13/2024

The universe has a way of showing us what we might like to pay attention to, doesn't it?

Over the last couple weeks, we have had multiple consults from married LGBTQIA+ couples concerned about whether their marriages will remain legally recognized.

I don't have a crystal ball and don't know what will happen.

But I do know that if that's you and you want to get your estate plan documents in place, I want to help you. I have been actively thinking about what we need to build into your documents so they work now and if that possibility comes to fruition.

We 100% hope that doesn't happen.

It is breaking my heart to see how many wonderful people are experiencing pain around this right now.

Your relationship will always be valid to us.

If you would like to talk more, feel free to message us or book an appointment from our online calendar for a free 30 minute consultation.

11/29/2024

REI started a movement years ago to encourage people to instead of spending the day spending money. The older I get, the more I value experiences with my kids, family, and friends over things.

Are you getting outside today? Share some pics if you are!!!

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

What's your favorite side dish? Dessert? Turkey prep method?

Cooking the turkey upside down has been our go to for years. Makes for a great bird!

Can't have Thanksgiving without the stuffing. Jimmy Dean sausage is a must.

As for the dessert - The Joy of Cooking's sour cream pumpkin pie is a must on the table. It's fluffy, like a souffle, and tangy with the bit of sour cream. Make it with a ginger snap crust if you want it to be special (*chef's kiss!*).

11/25/2024

REI started a movement years ago to opt out of Black Friday craziness and get outside. Instead of running sales, they close their stores and encourage employees and shoppers to go enjoy nature.

And why not? Nature is healing, calming, grounding, good for the soul....

This year, why not ? If you're local and want to meet up for a hike, send us a message. Unless the weather totally sucks, we'll be out in the woods nearby. Any other REI members here?

We will also be closed on Black Friday. No sales here, either. The good news is, you can always book an appointment to discuss what you need to get your planning done. You don't even have to stand in line this Friday morning to do it. Send us a message or click on our booking link to schedule a short free call at any time of day.

11/23/2024

Another made up coffee holiday this month? Second one!

We're all in and happy to celebrate good coffee any day of the week, month, or year.

If you haven't heard, Coffee with the Counselor will be making a return for 2025 for our monthly members. What is it, you may ask?

Coffee with the Counselor is open office hours available for a maintenance/subscription plan members to drop in, ask questions, workshop trust funding, or just connect for a bit. BYO coffee. We'll have a couple opportunities each month, as well as occasional pop-up drop in options when we have a surprise opening in the calendar.

These meetings will take place on Zoom. BYO coffee.

Got a favorite coffee shop around here? We love Crackskulls in Newmarket (coffee AND a used bookstore - how cool is that?), Java D2 in Exeter, and for freshly roasted beans, the Chester General Store and Coffee, Coffee in Salem, NH.

Let's hear your favorites!

11/21/2024

We have something really cool we would love to share with you - a tool to rate the current state of your estate plan. It is a questionnaire designed to evaluate where you are now - so you can see where you want to go.

You'll receive a valuable report after completing a questionnaire and we'll get valuable insights on how to help you best.

Want to check it out? Link to it is in the comments below.

11/21/2024

Unless you document that you want someone to handle financial and health care matters for you if you are ever incapacitated, they won't have the authority to do so and will have to go to court to get approval from a judge to serve in that role.

It's super easy to put together a financial (durable) power of attorney and health care documents (including health care power of attorney (also called a health care proxy), living will, and any specific medical directives you want to document).

It's not so easy to go to court and get appointed. If you need that to happen, odds are there is a lot going on in life that you would rather be focused on instead of that.

The other important aspect of getting these documents in place is that you can document not just who will serve on your behalf in these very important roles if ever needed, but also what you want to happen.

Recently, during a discussion that was not going their way, one of my own children shared the retort of "I'll make sure you end up in a sh*tty nursing home."

My other child promised not only to find me a good nursing home if needed, but even offered to help me find the best grippy socks ever.

Guess who made my power of attorney list? :)

None of this is a perfect science, but it is so much easier for your family and loved ones to have this stuff in order than not.

If you need to get yours done, send us a message or book a free 30 minute call to discuss your needs.

And if you know of some good grippy socks, I would be happy to get ahead of that one....