Kathy Brown van Zutphen of Coastwide Law LLC is an attorney licensed to practice law in Alabama and Mississippi. She focuses on the “elder law” areas of trusts, estates and conservatorships. Additionally, she litigates lawsuits and represents small business owners as part of her legal practice. Visit https://coastwidelaw.com/ to learn more or reach her at her office: (228) 357-5227.
A home is typically the most important and valuable asset people own, so, deciding “what to do about the house” is often crucial in any estate plan. Here are some questions that I get asked and things for you to consider regarding your home: 1. CAN YOU STILL QUALIFY, IF YOU MEET THE INCOME AND […]
More and more people are drawn to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for its many attractions, including the reasonably-priced real estate relative to other states and the beach atmosphere. If you recently made the Coast your home or are considering a relocation, here are some items to check off on your to-do list when you move: […]
There are many reasons to celebrate a new year, and one thing to be thankful for are a few tax changes that may benefit you in 2023. The IRS will raise the “brackets,” the top amounts in all seven federal income tax brackets, in 2023, which means workers will see more of their earnings taxed […]
Trusts are a good estate-planning tool. I often say they are an excellent option when a family needs flexibility, such as after a second marriage results in a blended family or when there is a special-needs family member. Trusts provide the ability to control assets from the grave. They can terminate upon the happening of […]
Everyone knows by now that during hurricane season, you should have plans for an emergency evacuation and at least enough food, water, batteries/ generators, flashlights, etc. to survive a few days if disaster strikes. You should evaluate your situation and decide what you will do as far in advance as possible because once a hurricane […]
Most studies find that like the temperature, divorce rates spike in August — and theories abound for why this happens. Some say that instead of being a time for bonding, summer vacation emphasizes marital problems. Others speculate that parents may feel their children are more distracted in the fall when they are back in school. […]
If you are caring for a loved one, it can be easy to be hard on yourself. Here are some negative thoughts to leave behind in the new year: 1. I DID NOT DO ENOUGH Many people prioritize their caregiving commitments above all other areas of their life, including themselves and other family members. No […]
Even under the best of circumstances, the holidays can be frantic. When you multiply it with the added stress of having to be caregiver for a family member with special needs, such as dementia, this time of year can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you avoid hitting your maximum stress level during […]
When working with clients, I often include a power of attorney (POA) with a will package. However, a POA is not a substitute for a well-executed estate plan. So many institutions refuse to accept a POA that it does not offer guaranteed protection. In a POA, you may name someone to act as your attorney-in-fact […]
In my practice, I often see clients who are in crisis. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and recent world events have left everyone’s sense of stability and temper on edge. Whether it is a divorce, the death of a family member, a family member with dementia, a financial crisis or a family fight, inflamed emotions often […]
