Planning with Purpose

planningwithpurpose

*Planning with Purpose* focuses on providing clarity, peace of mind, and practical solutions through thoughtful estate planning. Attorney Deb Morneau has over two decades of experience in helping families, retirees, and small businesses in New Hampshire navigate the complexities of estate planning.

Episodes

  1. Jul 31

    Choosing Guardians for Minor Children: What Parents Should Consider

    Episode Summary: In this episode of Planning with Purpose, attorney Deb Bess Morneau from Courteous Law in Henniker, New Hampshire, joins host Evan Mack to discuss the critical process of choosing guardians for minor children. Deb explains the legal steps involved in nominating a guardian and emphasizes the importance of having conversations with potential guardians to ensure they are willing and able to take on the role. She highlights factors parents should consider, such as the children's ages, the guardian's living situation, and shared values. Deb also shares real-life examples where thoughtful planning eased transitions for families. The episode offers valuable insights into updating guardian choices as circumstances change and provides encouragement for parents who may feel overwhelmed by the decision-making process. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to protect their children's future through careful guardian planning. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Introduction 0:20 – Importance of Naming a Guardian 0:53 – Legal Steps for Guardian Nomination 1:13 – Decision-Making Without a Named Guardian 1:51 – Factors to Consider When Choosing a Guardian 3:00 – Importance of Discussing with Potential Guardians 4:39 – Naming Backup Guardians 5:30 – Handling Family Expectations 6:42 – Example of Effective Guardian Planning 7:44 – Updating Guardian Choices Over Time 8:52 – Encouragement for Parents to Begin Planning 9:31 – Communicating Plans with Children About the Show: Planning with Purpose is a podcast dedicated to helping families in New Hampshire create comprehensive plans that protect their loved ones and assets. Hosted by attorney Deb Bess Morneau, the show covers a wide range of topics related to estate planning, guardianship, and family law. With a focus on clarity and practical advice, each episode provides listeners with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their family's future. Whether you're just starting to think about estate planning or looking to update your existing plans, Planning with Purpose offers valuable insights and guidance.

    Choosing Guardians for Minor Children: What Parents Should Consider
  2. Jun 26

    Power of Attorney and Health Care Directives: The Documents Every Adult Should Have

    Episode Summary: In this episode of Planning with Purpose, host Evan Mack sits down with Attorney Deb Bess Morneau from Courteous Law, PC, in Henniker, New Hampshire, to delve into the intricacies of powers of attorney and health care directives. Deb explains the significance of these documents in managing financial and medical decisions when individuals are unable to do so themselves. She highlights the differences between financial powers of attorney and health care directives, emphasizing the importance of appointing the right person to make decisions on one's behalf. Deb shares real-life examples, including her personal experience with guardianship, to illustrate the potential challenges of not having these documents in place. The episode provides listeners with practical advice on how to establish and update these critical documents, ensuring peace of mind and clarity for families. Whether you're planning for the future or navigating current challenges, this episode offers valuable insights into safeguarding your wishes and supporting your loved ones. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Introduction 00:22 – Importance of Powers of Attorney 00:32 – What is a Financial Power of Attorney? 01:21 – Differences Between Financial and Health Care Directives 02:05 – How Directives Work When Incapacitated 03:14 – Choosing the Right Person for Decisions 04:46 – Unexpected Powers of Attorney Capabilities 06:00 – Consequences of Not Having Documents 07:38 – Importance of Updating Documents 09:00 – Getting Started with Legal Documents 09:41 – Steps to Make Documents Effective About the Show: Planning with Purpose is a podcast dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of estate planning and legal documentation. Hosted by knowledgeable professionals, the show covers essential topics such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. With a focus on clarity and practical advice, each episode aims to empower listeners to make informed decisions about their future. Whether you're planning for yourself or a loved one, Planning with Purpose provides the insights and guidance needed to ensure your wishes are respected and your assets protected.

    Power of Attorney and Health Care Directives: The Documents Every Adult Should Have
  3. May 29

    What Happens If You Die Without a Will in New Hampshire

    Episode Summary: In this episode of Planning with Purpose, Attorney Deb Bess Morneau from Courteous Law, PC, in Hennaker, New Hampshire, joins host Evan Mack to discuss the legal implications of dying without a will in New Hampshire. Deb explains the intestate succession laws, highlighting scenarios where assets are distributed according to state statutes rather than personal wishes. She emphasizes the importance of estate planning to avoid probate complications and ensure that assets are distributed according to one's desires. The discussion covers the nuances of inheritance in blended families, the role of an executor, and the challenges of locating assets without a will. Deb also shares practical advice on how to ensure that certain assets pass outside of probate and the pitfalls of relying on AI-generated wills. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone looking to secure their estate and protect their loved ones from legal uncertainties. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Introduction 00:06 – What Happens Without a Will 00:37 – Intestate Succession Scenarios 01:19 – Common Assumptions About Spousal Inheritance 02:00 – Blended Family Inheritance Challenges 03:34 – Inheritance Without Spouse or Children 04:39 – Choosing an Executor 06:22 – Complications Without a Will 07:27 – Real-Life Example of Intestate Confusion 08:51 – Assets Passing Outside of Probate 09:45 – Steps to Avoid State-Determined Inheritance 10:39 – Importance of Proper Will Execution About the Show: Planning with Purpose is a podcast dedicated to helping families in New Hampshire create thoughtful estate plans that provide clarity and peace of mind. The show features Attorney Deb Bess Morneau, who shares her expertise in estate planning and probate law. Each episode delves into practical strategies and legal insights to help listeners navigate the complexities of estate planning, ensuring their wishes are honored and their loved ones are protected. With a focus on clarity and actionable advice, Planning with Purpose empowers listeners to make informed decisions about their future.

    What Happens If You Die Without a Will in New Hampshire
  4. Apr 3

    Talking About Death Without Fear

    Episode Summary: In this episode of *Planning with Purpose* Deb Morneau discusses the importance of having honest conversations about death and how planning ahead can bring clarity and peace to your loved ones. Deb shares insights on why early discussions about end-of-life preferences can make difficult times easier for families, reassuring them that their wishes will be followed. She also highlights the significance of essential planning tools like powers of attorney, wills, and trusts in providing peace of mind. Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – Importance of early conversations about end-of-life preferences 04:15 – Reassurance through post-death arrangements 06:45 – Real-life examples of how early conversations ease family decisions 09:20 – The significance of powers of attorney for finances and healthcare 11:45 – Benefits of having a trust or will in place for asset distribution 14:00 – Communicating end-of-life wishes for peace of mind 16:30 – Advising older individuals on sharing wishes with their adult children 19:00 – Consequences of avoiding conversations and leaving loved ones guessing About the Show: *Planning with Purpose* is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate crucial conversations and decisions surrounding estate planning and end-of-life preferences. Join Deb Morneau as she provides guidance on creating a plan that brings clarity, comfort, and peace of mind to your loved ones.

    Talking About Death Without Fear

About

*Planning with Purpose* focuses on providing clarity, peace of mind, and practical solutions through thoughtful estate planning. Attorney Deb Morneau has over two decades of experience in helping families, retirees, and small businesses in New Hampshire navigate the complexities of estate planning.