Ivon T. Hughes Profile and Articles

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1). Living Wills Decide Who Will Make Decisions When You Can't
Many people are wondering what they need in the way of legal documents to make certain that, in the event of incapacity, their wishes are known and followed regarding potential end-of-life decisions. Advance directives are a set of documents that are used to lay out a clear chain of command to give decisions makers guidance as to the individual's wishes as they relate to the type of care desired in a crisis .

2). Last Will And Testament Planning Is Necessary
Ready to start thinking about your Last Will and Testament but don't know where to start?

Choosing an attorney

Find a lawyer with related areas of expertise, like estate planning and taxation law.

And check with local the Bar Association to see if the attorney has had any disciplinary actions taken against him or her.

A Living Will is as Necessary as a Last Will and Testament

Tell family members, your lawyer and your doctor where your Living Will is located and what it says.

3). Second to Die Life Insurance Policies
Usually, the death benefit from a second-to-die life insurance policy is intended to go to the children , a charity or pay taxes owed after both spouses pass away.

In the U.S. there is a marital deduction permitting you to leave an unlimited amount of assets to your surviving spouse with no taxes payable at your death. Those assets then become part of the estate of the spouse and if it includes a second to die life insurance polciy it could help pay any taxes.

4). Life Insurance Scenarios
Most individuals have some form of insurance, whether it is for their vehicle, home or health. But it is important, however, not to overlook the benefits of life insurance, which pays money to beneficiaries when the insured dies.

HOW LIFE INSURANCE WORKS

Typically, the insured person makes payments into the plan - called premiums - in exchange for a "death benefit," the money that is paid at the time of death.

5). Life Insurance Coverage
The subject of life insurance can be a confusing one and we spend a lot of time discussing various ways to buy life insurance. How much do I need? How much will it cost? Will my beneficiaries have enogh to live comfortably? What is the difference between cash-value and term life insurance? Which is the cheapest to buy?

CASH VALUE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
Cash value life insurance, such as universal and whole life, combine a death benefit and a tax deferred saving element.

6). Health Insurance Needs Worry Older Americans
Nearly 70 percent of older Americans endorse the concept of individual health savings accounts to help cover medical expenses in their later years, a new survey finds.

The accounts would involve setting aside 1 percent of income to handle expenses not covered by Medicare, the federal insurance program for people aged 65 or older.

The survey also found that a majority of those interviewed expressed support for being able to buy into Medicare before they turn 65.

7). Term Life And Whole Life Insurance
Which type of policy is best for you, term or whole life? The answer depends on several factors, including:

Your Needs. If you need coverage only until your children graduate from college, for example, you might be better off with a term life policy.

Cash-value insurance is better suited for long term needs, such as planning estate taxes and providing lifetime security for your spouse.

8). Living Wills Can Kill You
Obviously, it is beneficial for anyone, in a vegetative state lor not to have a Living Will. But, people need to know that many of the Living Wills utilized today have major problems associated with them.

Living Wills Have To Be Clear

Much of the problem stems from misinterpretation of typical Living Wills by medical staff. These forms are often one size fits all and often legally driven and therefore do not flow medically.

9). Living Will Is An Answer To A Problem
For many people, Terri Schiavo was the face of an emotional struggle over the right to live and the right to die. It sparked a heated global debate and inspired even the most apolitical citizens to take a stand.

Last Will and Testament and Living Will

The point in the controversy over the Florida Woman who lay comatose while her husband struggled to withdraw and her parents struggled to continue life support is all too common and all to avoidable.

10). Living Wills Are An Important Part Of Life
If you are a young couple busy with young children with good lives and jobs, you are certainly not ready to think of your lives ending. But you do need to think about it.

Case in point - Terry Schiavo. She was just 26 years old when cardiac arrest put her in a persistent vegative state. The court battle over whether she'd want to live or die drove home the message that end of life issues know no age boundaries.

11). Living Wills Make Final Wishes Known
People remember how sad they felt while Terri Schiavo withered away; as they watched the woman's family fight over what they thought she wanted.

You Should Have A Living Will

While Living Wills have existed for some time, they have become household words since the Schiavo case - the Florida woman who suffered severe brain damage in 1990 and became the centre of a legal and moral debate which culminated in her passing away on March 31, 13 days after her feeding tube had been removed.

12). Health Insurance Rules
Many dual income couples, include their children on each group health insurance plan to maximize benfits. However, without some sort of system in place to help the health insurance companies coordinate benefits, it's possible that either you or your doctor would be reimbursed for more than 100 percent of the actual cost of your claim.

To prevent this, health insurance companies typically designate one parent's health insurance plan as the primary plan and the other as the secondary plan.

13). Health Insurance And High Deductibles
When most people learn that their family's health insurance coverage is going to cost more, they shop for a more affordable policy. Often the solution is a combination of an insurance plan and a tax-sheltered Health Savings Account.

More than 1 million Americans have made a similar choice, signing up for high-deductible health insurance policies and associated HSAs since the program was introduced in late 2003 according to the Washington-based industry group, America's Health Insurance Plans.

14). Last Will And Testament Considerations
Interest in a Last Will and Testament and other end of life planning documents skyrocketed during the coverage of Terri Schiavo's case, but interest didn't always lead to action. It isn't that people laugh at the importance of preparing for the unexpected; they blame procrastination and laziness.

DO YOU HAVE A LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT?

Out of half a dozen randomly selected people interviewed, none had a Living Will, and only one had a Last Will and Testament, though every person said they believed the documents are essential.

15). Life Insurance: 6 Good Things To Know
We know the importance of life insurance as we want to make sure that our loved ones are taken care of when we die. But do some research so you'll be sure to get the best possible coverage at the right price. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Shop for your life insurance coverage
2. Never buy more coverage than you need
3. Buy sooner rather than later
4.

16). Critical Illness Insurance Is Critical
A difficult time in life can teach you what's really important. Just ask anyone whose life took a sharp turn when a medical problem was discovered.

First off there are expenses, a difficulty for any family but which are a special challenge for any family who are covered by a limited medical insurance policy or have no insurance at all.

If you have limited medical insurance, there is sometimes just not enough to pay the bills.

17). Key Person Life Insurance
Small businesses help keep our country going. But a small business needs help to keep going after the loss of someone vital to the company. There are options available you need to know about.

KEY PERSON IS ANYONE WHO IS IMPORTANT

In small to medium size businesses, the key person may be the business owner, a top sales rep or the person who does the financing.

18). Advantages of Online Learning
Based on my 20+ years experience in distance education as a student, administrator, recruiter, and faculty member, I know firsthand that there are numerous advantages to online learning.

19). How Do Companies View Online College Degrees?
Organizations have started to examine which training methods can amplify methods of performance, motivation, collaboration and a lifelong commitment to learning.

20). How To Succeed As A Distance Learning Student
Distance learning has spiked in popularity around the world. The ease in which students can register in a degree of their choice, take classes from home, and graduate in record time has appealed to many busy professionals and single parents who are focused and do not have a lot of time to take a traditional courses.