Author: Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC

  • Bummers For Boomers

    As we all waited in long lines for gas and supplies in the face of oncoming Hurricane Iselle, we were reminded of the importance of planning ahead for inevitable catastrophic events. Here are some things NOT to do with your estate plan, according to Casey Dowd in his article, “Estate Planning Mistakes Every Boomer Should…

  • Qualifying for Medicaid is Unpatriotic?

    Some people question whether Medicaid planning might be unpatriotic. After all, Medicaid is a “welfare” benefit funded by our tax dollars. Is it “wrong” to put yourself in the position to have the taxpayers pay for your long-term care? Let us begin by considering what it means to be a taxpayer. Everyone knows that it…

  • Hazardous Internet Documents

    You have seen the commercials. You have heard the radio ads. But before you go to a website to have your estate plan constructed by a computer program, be sure to ask yourself this: You may not have as large an estate as Mr. Fancyshmancylawyer or Mr. Radiobucks, but everything you own is everything you…

  • Legal: Do You Have Four-Legged Children?

    While I was growing up, we almost always had a dog (or two) in the house, and they always became treasured family members. You may have had the same experience, and you would not be alone if you have pets today that you consider to be your “children.” I know people who claim to prefer…

  • Is Physician-Assisted Suicide Legal in Hawaii?

    A large, well-funded national organization has been taking out print ads and airing TV commercials that claim that doctors in Hawai‘i are providing lethal doses of medication to individuals who desire “aid in dying.” According to the ads and commercials, this is perfectly legal because of a newly discovered loophole inHawai‘i law. As it turns…

  • Secret Money for Senior Veterans

    Many Veterans believe that they have to have suffered an in-service disability to qualify for monetary benefits from the Veterans Administration. This is a common misconception. Depending on health, income and assets, many senior Veterans (and their dependent or surviving spouses) can qualify for not only basic “Improved Pensions” based on low income, but also…

  • They Are Out to Get You!

    There are several scams targeting our kupuna that you need to know about. Scam 1: The first is a nationwide scheme where new real estate owners and individuals who have recently transferred their homes into their revocable living trusts receive letters from a company calling itself “Property Transfer Services.” The letters warn the recipients of…

  • Update: Queen’s Medical Center vs. Koga

    The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has featured several stories about Karen Okada, a 95-year-old woman who signed a “Death with Dignity Declaration” and a “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Instructions” back in 1998. Both documents purport to control “in all circumstances.” In mid-2012, shortly after Karen was admitted to The Queen’s Medical Center for treatment…

  • Your Favorite Charity in Your Estate Plan

    Charitable giving can be complicated, especially when it moves beyond cash or writing a check. A recent Forbes article provides some advice you may not have considered. The article is titled “Five Ways To Be Charitable Even If You Aren’t Bill Gates.” Take heart in knowing that even if you’re not Bill Gates, the “five…

  • Legal: Review Your Estate Plan Often

    As we turn the page from 2012 to 2013, it is not a bad time to focus on your Rule Book (the set of documents in which you lay out your estate plan) and make sure that the rules you have in place are still consistent with your wishes and your needs. How often you…