This is where estate planning comes into play, and it's absolutely crucial if you are a single parent.
Estate planning allows you to designate who will receive your assets and manage your affairs after you die or become incapacitated. For single parents, estate planning is critical as it also involves picking someone to care for your child should you become unable to do so.
Here are the key components that single parents should have as part of their estate plan:
Your will allows you to appoint a guardian for your minor child or children in the event of your death. This is probably the most important document for a single parent. Without a will, the court will decide who will become your child's guardian, which may not align with your wishes.
A trust can be beneficial for ensuring your children are taken care of financially. It allows you to set aside funds for your children's future needs, such as education or healthcare. It also allows you to control how and when the funds are distributed, such as at a certain age or only for certain expenditures.
A power of attorney (POA) allows you to designate someone to make financial decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. This helps ensure that someone you trust is caring for your child's financial needs.
An advanced health care directive, also known as a living will, outlines your medical preferences if you are unable to express them yourself. It also allows you to appoint an agent to make decisions regarding medical treatment on your behalf.
As a single parent, you are responsible for meeting your child's needs. And while you hope to always be there for them for a long time, the unexpected can happen. You will want to discuss your situation with someone who can help you create an estate plan and ensure all your bases are covered.
]]>It is not uncommon to want to give your side of the story by testifying in your criminal trial. Of course, you do not have to. The Fifth Amendment protects you from self-incrimination. So, is testifying in your trial always a good idea?
When you go to trial, both the prosecution and your defense team will have the right to call their witnesses. Taking the stand means that you will be giving evidence too. Thus, you will be required to swear to speak the truth. Thereafter, your legal counsel will start asking questions. This will be your opportunity to articulate your account of events.
Once your defense counsel is done, it will be the prosecution’s turn to ask questions. And this is where things can take a tricky turn.
While cross-examining you, the prosecution will likely twist the questions your counsel asked you. This might bring up issues that may damage your credibility before the court. For example, if you have been charged with a crime before, the prosecution might raise this even if it is not related to what you are being charged with. Keep in mind that the prosecution is always on a mission to dig up everything they can use against you to secure a conviction.
No two criminal charges are the same. That said, the decision to take the stand in your criminal trial is yours to make. If you are confident that you can handle the prosecution’s pressure and prove your innocence, then testifying in your trial might be a prudent idea. If, however, you are timid, then you’d rather not testify. Understanding and exploring your legal options can help you make an informed decision on whether you should testify in your trial or not.
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