As an attorney who has worked in the areas of estate planning and trusts for more than 20 years, Lou Silverman is well aware that many people do not feel comfortable discussing anything with their families that has to do with growing older, becoming disabled or, ultimately, dying.
Silverman also knows how complex these issues can be in regards to the law, and how rules and regulations regarding trusts and other topics can change over time. This, he said, only underscores how important it is for people to learn about these subjects, even if it makes them uneasy.
In an effort to educate Kyrene Corridor residents and their neighbors about these often- sensitive topics, explain recent changes to the laws that surround them, and ease some anxieties along the way, Silverman is hosting a Legacy Planning Workshop at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the south Tempe offices of Dynamic World Training Consultants, 4500 S. Lakeshore Drive.
Silverman said he is offering the workshop both in person and as an Internet-based program that can be attended remotely. Anyone interested in the online version can contact his office to sign up with a name and email, and they’ll be given log-on information and a password.
Silverman, whose firm Silverman Law Offices is also in Tempe, said the workshop will cover what people need to know and do in the event of a disability or death of a loved one.
For example, he will discuss the changes in the law and how they affect estate plans, the way that a disability can be determined, and the role of successor trustees, health care agents, and financial representatives in the case of disability and death.
“These are not topics that many people want to talk about,” Silverman said. “But several years ago, I realized that many have no system in place to help keep their plans up to date, especially in regard to living trusts. So I started doing workshops that address things that my clients and others need to know from a practical standpoint.”
Silverman said everyone is welcome to attend the workshop, including adult children who may wish to learn more about how they can help their parents.
“Older children often have no idea of their role in these matters, and sometimes their parents are reluctant to deal with these issues. But if you don’t, your children will have to deal with a terrible legacy and mess afterwards. It can be a real landmine for families to deal with.”
Silverman said he tries to keep the workshops as light-spirited as he can, injecting some humor whenever possible.
“I’m not a mortician, and I don’t want to be a mortician,” he said. “There is just so much information out there, and a lot of it is snake oil. People are getting documents without a good understanding of what’s going on. I just want to try to educate people as much as I can.”
To reserve space for the workshop, contact Linda at 480-491-3216, extension 26, or email her at Linda@silvermanlawpc.com. Have names and email information ready for any friends or family members who might also want to attend remotely.
