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Jennifer R. Lewis Kannegieter

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July 2 By jrlk

Summer 2009 Newsletter: Live for Today, Plan for Tomorrow

 My first ever newsletter came out yesterday.  Because I feel the main article contains an important message, I am including it here on the blog.  But don’t miss out on the next newsletter – subscribe today!

How will you Live for Today, Plan for Tomorrow?

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
 
In today’s fast-paced society we spend so much time running to and from work, school, soccer practice, music lessons, etc.  We never take a break to catch our breath.  We beat ourselves up over all those things we ‘need’ to do – clean the house, mow the yard, get the groceries… and we yearn for those things we ‘hope’ to do – read a book, take a vacation, start a new hobby…  We rarely find the time for those ‘hope to-do’s;’ we constantly put them off, telling ourselves “I’ll do that when the work is done and the time is right.”
 
And then something happens to make us realize how fragile life is; how unhappy we are running like mad, working non-stop, and never getting to those things we hope to do.  All too often it takes a tragedy, or near-tragedy for this realization to come.For me, this realization came when my grandfather got sick the end of May.  For months I had been telling myself that I would visit my grandparents someday when life calmed down, work was slow, and the money was there.  And then I realized that I ran the risk of someday becoming never, and I knew that I would never forgive myself for that.  So I bought the plane ticket, put the vacation on my calendar, and went to visit my grandparents.  My ‘need’ to-do list could wait, but I was not going to miss this opportunity.
And on my trip I (once again) vowed I would learn to live for today.  I would learn to prioritize, I would take the time to enjoy my life – appreciate the sunshine, spend time with my family, take my dogs for a walk.

Don’t wait for something drastic to change your life.  I want you to Live for Today.  Take a deep breath, smell those roses.  Stop beating yourself up over all those lingering ‘need to-do’s.’  The world won’t end if the housework goes another day (or more), and even if the world does end, would you even care?  Make time for those things that really matter to you – catch up with a friend over a cup of coffee, plan a family picnic, go visit a loved one.  Start getting around to some of those ‘hope to-do’s.’

But while I think it is important to Live for Today, I need to stress just how important it is to Plan for Tomorrow.  We all know that the two inevitable things in life are death and taxes.  There’s no avoiding them.  As difficult as it may be to think about, talk about, and plan for your own death (or the death of a loved one) – it really is necessary.

If you take the time now to plan, your family will know your wishes when the time comes.  Your wishes will be followed.  You will be able to name a guardian for your children, establish a trust and determine who will control the money and when your children will have access to the money.  You will be able to select the person responsible for handling your affairs.  Your estate can save time and money in the probate process.

If you fail to plan, your family will be left to pick up the mess.  Your wishes may not be followed.  Your family could engage in an emotional battle trying to figure out what you may have wanted.  The courts will be involved, making decisions for you.  You will have no say in a potential guardian for your children, how your assets are distributed, who will handle your affairs.  Your estate may end up in a long and expensive supervised probate process.

Plan now, save money later, and provide your family with reassurance and certainty.  Fail to plan now, spend more money later, and leave your family feeling overwhelmed and facing uncertainty.  Ultimately, it is your choice.  But to me the choice is simple.

How to Plan for Tomorrow

  • Talk to your family and friends.  Discussing wishes now may prevent disputes in the future.
  • Think about your wishes in regards to medical care and get a Health Care Directive.
  • Consider purchasing life insurance to provide for your family if you are no longer able to.
  • Review the beneficiary designations on bank accounts, investment accounts, and retirement accounts.
  • If you have a will, review it and consider updating it.  If you don’t have a will – now is the time!

Because the following could be considered advertising, and I don’t want to mess with the lawyer’s board, please accept the following disclaimer:  *Advertising Material*        

A ‘Live for Today, Plan for Tomorrow’ Special Offer
Because I want EVERYONE to Live for Today, Plan for Tomorrow, I have decided to offer a special discount on my Basic Estate Plan package.  My Basic Estate Plan package includes a will, health care directive, and power of attorney, as well as a copy of my very own Put Your Estate Plan Into Action: An Estate Organizer – everything you need to make things easier on your loved ones when the time comes.  This package is specifically designed for those with simple assets and distributions (i.e. no expected contests, no estate tax liability, no out of state property).  The Basic Estate Plan package normally costs $575 for a married couple with children, $525 for a married couple without children, $375 for a single person with children, and $325 for a single person without children.

The Live for Today, Plan for Tomorrow Special:
The longer you wait, the less you save…

Save $100 on a Basic Estate Plan in the month of July
($475 for a married couple with children, $425 for a married couple without children, $275 for a singe person with children, $225 for a single person without children).

Save $60 on a Basic Estate Plan in the month of August
($515 for a married couple with children, $465 for a married couple without children, $315 for a singe person with children, $265 for a single person without children).

Save $25 on a Basic Estate Plan in the month of September.
($550 for a married couple with children, $500 for a married couple without children, $350 for a singe person with children, $300 for a single person without children).

These special prices will be available to anyone who mentions the Live for Today, Plan for Tomorrow special offer when calling or e-mailing to request information – so spread the news!

These prices will also be used for any Will Parties scheduled for July, August, or September.  Can you think of a better way to spend an evening with friends, save some money, AND get your estate planning taken care of?  Availability for Will Parties will be limited – so schedule yours today!

Filed Under: About My Services, Estate Planning, Events, Legal Fees, Will Parties, Wills

April 9 By jrlk

Monticello Estate Planning Attorney Answers: What to put in your Health Care Directive

Many people wonder what they can put in their Health Care Directive.  The answer to that question really is, what do you want to put in it?

Your Health Care Directive can be as specific or as general as you want.  You can appoint health care agent(s) and alternate health care agent(s) and specify if they can act independently or must act jointly.  You can explain your general goals, values, and beliefs that impact your thoughts about health care.  You can provide specific health care instructions regarding medical treatments, pain relief, nutrition and hydration, and mental health treatments.  You can have special provisions for pregnancy.  A Health Care Directive can also specify where you want to receive medical care or state your preference for a court-appointed guardian or conservator.  And finally, you can use your Health Care Directive to state your preference as to donations of organs and tissues, cremation or burial, and funeral arrangements.   What you do with a Health Care Directive is really up to you, because YOUR DECISIONS MATTER.

For information on Health Care Directives specifically in Minnesota, check out the Minnesota Department of Health’s Questions and Answers on Health Care Directives.  Besides the general what is a health care directive and how to make one, there is also a good list of what you can put in a health care directive.

Filed Under: Events, Health Care & Health Care Directives, Resources Tagged With: Events, Health Care Directives, NHDD

October 23 By jrlk

Free Estate Planning Seminar

Do you worry about what will happen to your children if you are no longer around? Do you wonder about the medical care you will receive if you are not able to express your wishes? In these troubled times we all worry about protecting our families. Monticello Women of Today will be hosting a free seminar in honor of Estate Planning Awareness Week entitled Protecting Yourself; Protecting Your Family: Estate Planning 101 at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct 28 at the Monticello Middle School. Please use the Washington Street Entrance—Door 11).

Presented by Monticello Attorney Jennifer R. Lewis Kannegieter, the seminar will cover the basics of estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives/living wills. You will learn about the probate process and choosing a guardian for your children, and will also learn what happens if you do not have a will. Participants will complete their own health care directives to take home with them.

This is a free seminar, but preregistration is recommended to reserve space. E-mail monticellowomenoftoday@gmail.com or call Laurel at 612-282-8343 or Brenda at 763-226-7646 for reservations or more information.

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Events

April 15 By jrlk

Minnesota National Healthcare Decisions Day Events

It is almost here!  Tomorrow is National Healthcare Decisions Day!  What are you doing tomorrow?  The Minnesota NHDD Committee of Hospice Minnesota and the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section has released this list of NHDD Events happening around the state:

William Mitchell College of Law – 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Students and Attorneys available; 4:00 p.m. – Presentation by Kathy Eveslage, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and Fran Conklin, Hospice Minnesota – Room 225.  For information, contact: Janelle.januschka@wmitchell.edu 

John Kantke and Harley Schreck – Elim Church, 685 13th Ave NE , Minneapolis, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Open to all, but geared towards seniors.  For information, contact: John Kantke at jkantke@kantkelaw.com, 612-326-6880; or Harley Schreck, h-schreck@bethel.edu, 651-638-6104.

Barb Blumer – Eagan Seniors Room, Eagan Community Center , 1501 Central Parkway ,Eagan, 11:00 a.m. to noon.  For more information, call: 651 675-5515.

Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd. and Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center – Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center, 14500 99th Ave. N. , Maple Grove, Wednesday, April 16th – Starting at 11:00 a.m. and Thursday, April 17th – Starting at 7:00 p.m.  For clients, patients and other interested persons.  Call Susan Peterson at 763-560-5700 for more information or to register.  Sessions are open to all, but space is limited. 

Jennifer R. Lewis Kannegieter, Attorney at Law – Monticello Dunn Brothers, 1220 State Hwy 25, Monticello, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  For information, contact Jennifer Lewis Kannegieter at: (763) 392-1518 or jennifer@lewis-k-law.com.

Grathwol Law Office – South Shore Senior Center, Shorewood, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  For seniors and community members.  For information, contact the Grathwol Law Office at: 952-474-2955.

If you are in the Monticello/Wright County area, please come see me at the Dunn Brothers for information on advance care planning and free health care directives.   

Filed Under: Events, Health Care & Health Care Directives Tagged With: Events, Health Care Directives, NHDD

April 15 By jrlk

Consumer’s Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning

In honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), Wednesday April 16, 2008, the next couple weeks will be devoted to providing information and sharing resources for advance health care planning.  Please join me for my Monticello NHDD event or contact participating organizations in your state to find a local event.  Check out this page for all the postings on NHDD and advance care planning.    

Perhaps the most comprehensive online resource for advance care planning is the ABA Commission on Law and Aging’s Consumer’s Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning.  Advance care planning is a difficult process.  It requires you to do some soul searching; think about your values; contemplate serious illness, injury, and death; consider numerous situations and possible treatments; and share your thoughts, feelings, and wishes with family and health care providers.  The ABA Commission on Law and Aging attempts to make this an easier process by providing 10 “tools” to help you make decisions on advanced care planning and talk to your family and doctors.  These tools include things to think about, various quizes to help you make decisions and communicate them to others, and scripts to get the conversation started.  The tool kit also includes a guide for health care agents and information on other resources.  If you are having trouble getting started with your advance health care planning, I suggest you take a look at the tool kit.

The 10 Tools of the Tool Kit are:

1.  How to Select Your Health Care Agent or Proxy

2.  Are Some Conditions Worse than Death?

3.  How do You Weigh Odds of Survival? 

4.  Personal Priorities and Spiritual Values Important to Your Medical Decisions

5.  After Death Decisions to Think About Now

6.  Conversation Scripts: Getting Past the Resistance

7.  The Proxy Quiz for Family & Physician

8.  What to do After Signing Your Health Care Advance Directive

9.  Guide for Health Care Proxies

10.  Resources: Advance Planning for Health Care

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Events, Health Care & Health Care Directives, Resources Tagged With: Events, Health Care Directives, NHDD

April 2 By jrlk

10 Legal Myths About Advance Medical Directives

In honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), Wednesday April 16, 2008, the next couple weeks will be devoted to providing information and sharing resources for advance health care planning.  Please join me for my Monticello NHDD event or contact participating organizations in your state to find a local event.  Check out this page for all the postings on NHDD and advance care planning.      

The American Bar Association’s Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly has a great article on myths about advance medical directives.  Among these myths are “Advance Directives are a legal tool for old people,” “If I do not have an Advance Directive, I can rely on my family to make my health care decisions when I am unable to make decisions for myself,” and “An Advance Directive Means ‘Don’t Treat.”

 To read about these and the seven other myths, check out the full article, 10 Legal Myths About Advance Medical Directives.    

Filed Under: Events, Health Care & Health Care Directives, Resources Tagged With: Events, Health Care Directives, NHDD

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Jennifer R. Lewis Kannegieter
Lewis Kannegieter Law, Ltd.
4300 School Boulevard
PO Box 718
Monticello, MN 55362
Phone: (763) 244-2949
Fax: (763) 244-2940
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Books

One Family, Two Worlds: A Story About Total Estate Planning

The Total Estate Planning Organizer: Your Estate Plan In Action

Why Every Adult Must Have a Health Care Directive

The Insider’s Guide to Legal Fees: What You NEED to Know

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