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The author is a former senior editor of <i>Medical Economics</i>.

To avoid heartache for the very people you're trying to protect, here's what you need to know before you sit down with an attorney.

Making a will: Leave nothing to chance

You want to give back, but don't know how to go about it? Here's help.

The smart way to give to your Alma Mater

Their predictability offers a needed balance to stock market volatility.

Investment Basics: Why you need bonds

Regarding your legacy, there's a fine line between ensuring 

 endures for generations and leaving behind a financial burden for your loved ones. Without a solid estate plan, your wealth could be eroded by taxes, administrative fees, or even disputes among heirs. Advanced estate planning systems, driven by technology, are becoming essential tools for safeguarding your wealth in today's unpredictable 

 developments. With fluctuating tax laws and rising interest rates, relying solely on traditional methods for estate planning can leave your assets vulnerable.

Legacy or liability? Creating a plan to protect your wealth

The first step in defending your wealth from unnecessary loss is to design an estate plan prioritizing protection over liability. The general idea of estate planning only revolves around deciding who inherits what. On the contrary, it's about creating a structure that minimizes taxes, avoids probate complications, and ensures your intentions are executed smoothly. This makes relying on outdated methods to lose more than you preserve.

Modern technology enhances wealth protection more efficiently in the following ways:


1. Mobile applications for asset management

One of the most significant advancements in estate planning is the development of mobile applications that track and manage assets. These tools provide an up-to-date overview of your financial portfolio and send reminders for critical estate planning tasks. For example, apps can alert you when it's time to update your will or review beneficiaries, ensuring your estate plan remains current. These applications streamline the estate management process and make staying organized and proactive with your wealth protection efforts easier.


2. Data analytics for optimal asset allocation

Advanced algorithms can analyze your portfolio and suggest strategies that minimize tax burdens while maximizing wealth transfer. These insights can inform decisions about how assets are divided, allocated, and distributed, helping you create a more resilient plan to tax changes and inflation. You can identify your estate plan's potential weaknesses and mitigate risks with data-driven recommendations.


3. Electronic signatures for streamlined execution

In the digital age, executing legal documents should be as straightforward as possible, which is where electronic signatures present their advantages. E-signature technology makes signing estate planning documents like wills, trusts, and power of attorney forms more efficient without compromising legal compliance. Not only does this save time, but it also reduces the chances of delays or errors in executing crucial legal documents. This is especially useful when dealing with time-sensitive situations or when signatories are in different locations.


The digital revolution has also made it possible to create and store wills online securely. Digital wills on online platforms offering legal guidance allow individuals to quickly draft, modify, and access their estate documents. These platforms ensure that your will is verifiable and easily accessible whenever needed. Services offering cloud storage of these documents guarantee that your estate plan can be located and executed efficiently, providing peace of mind that your wealth distribution instructions will be followed accurately.

Accurate asset documentation is the foundation of a smooth transition

If your records are not clear, transferring wealth to heirs can become complicated, often resulting in extended probate processes or legal disputes. Probate can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally draining for your loved ones, especially if asset ownership is unclear.

Estate planning is crucial and beneficial in many ways as it documents all your assets—from real estate, bank accounts, investments, and business interests to personal items like family heirlooms and even your monthly subscriptions. This comprehensive record ensures a smooth ownership transition, reducing the need for legal intervention and minimizing delays in asset distribution.

Moreover, estate planning allows for better management of financial liabilities, ensuring that debts, taxes, and other obligations are settled fairly and efficiently. Trustees or executors can manage these responsibilities without ambiguity, reducing the risk of legal challenges or financial mismanagement, given you have well-documented records. Preserving family relationships and avoiding costly legal battles become the cherry on this straightforward, intentional process.

Mitigating common estate planning mistakes

To create a foolproof estate plan, avoid these common mistakes that lead to unintended consequences:

Life changes, and so should your will. Whether you're changing marital status, having a new child, or acquiring a new asset, your estate plan should reflect your current situation. Regularly review and update your will to ensure that no one is left out and that your assets are distributed according to your latest intentions.

The individual you select as your executor or trustee is crucial in ensuring your estate plan is carried out. Choosing someone ill-equipped to handle these responsibilities can delay the process, bring about errors, and even attract legal disputes. Ensure your executor is trustworthy and capable of managing the administrative tasks involved.

We live in a digital world where assets aren't limited to physical possessions. Cryptocurrency, online accounts, and intellectual property rights are all part of your digital footprint. Ensure that these assets are included in your estate plan and instructions on accessing them.

I am 100% confident that the primary cause of family disputes is unequal or inadequate asset distribution. To prevent this, ensure that your estate plan clearly outlines how assets, especially sentimental items like family heirlooms, should be distributed. Transparency in your intentions can help mitigate disagreements and ensure your wealth is transferred peacefully.

Estate planning creates a solid foundation for financial security, free from unnecessary complications; it doesn't have to revolve solely around safeguarding wealth for the future. From mobile applications to data analytics and digital wills, estate planning has become way more accessible, and you can take proactive steps to protect your assets anytime, anywhere.

Leverage these technologies to keep a clear and accurate record of your assets, helping you avoid common mistakes in estate planning. This gives you peace of mind that your wealth will be passed on according to your wishes—without the stress of taxes, rising interest rates, or family disputes. Ultimately, a well-thought-out and up-to-date estate plan protects your legacy from potential challenges and ensures your hard-earned wealth is not vulnerable to outside threats or unnecessary complications.

Ensuring wealth endures for generations requires a robust estate plan to prevent financial burdens on heirs. Advanced estate planning systems, driven by technology, are essential in today's volatile financial landscape. Modern tools like mobile applications, data analytics, and electronic signatures enhance wealth protection by streamlining asset management, optimizing tax strategies, and facilitating legal document execution. Comprehensive asset documentation and avoiding common estate planning mistakes, such as failing to update wills or ignoring digital assets, are crucial. Leveraging technology ensures a smooth wealth transition and protects against potential challenges.

Relying solely on traditional methods for estate planning can leave your assets vulnerable.

Topics

Estate planning is your first line of defense against wealth loss—Here’s what you should know

Regarding your legacy, there’s a fine line between ensuring your wealth endures for generations and leaving behind a financial burden for your 

. Unless you have a solid estate plan, your 

 could be eroded by taxes, administrative fees or even disputes among heirs.

The first step in defending your wealth from unnecessary loss is to design an 

 prioritizing protection over liability. Generally, most individuals’ idea of estate planning revolves around deciding who inherits what. On the contrary, it is about creating a structure that minimizes taxes, avoids probate complications and ensures your intentions are executed smoothly. This will help you to avoid using outdated methods that may cause you to lose more than you preserve.

To create a foolproof estate plan, avoid these common mistakes that lead to unintended consequences.

Life changes, and so should your will. Whether you are changing marital status, having a new child or acquiring a new asset, your estate plan should reflect your current situation. Regularly review and update your will to ensure no one is left out and that your assets are distributed according to your latest intentions.

The individual you select as your executor or trustee is crucial in ensuring your estate plan is carried out. Choosing someone ill-equipped to handle these responsibilities can delay the process, bring about errors and even attract legal disputes. Ensure your executor is trustworthy and capable of managing the administrative tasks involved.

We live in a digital world where assets are not limited to physical possessions. Cryptocurrency, online accounts and intellectual property rights are all part of your digital footprint. Ensure these assets are included in your estate plan, and provide instructions on accessing them.

Estate planning creates a solid foundation for financial security, free from unnecessary complications; it does not have to revolve solely around safeguarding wealth for the future. From mobile applications to data analytics and digital wills, estate planning has become far more accessible, and you can take proactive steps to protect your assets anytime, anywhere.

Leverage technologies to keep a clear and accurate record of your assets, helping you avoid common mistakes in estate planning. This gives you peace of mind that your wealth will be passed on according to your wishes — without the stress of taxes, rising interest rates or family disputes. Ultimately, an estate plan that is well thought out and up to date protects your legacy from potential challenges and ensures your hard-earned wealth is not vulnerable to outside threats or unnecessary complications.

Relying solely on traditional methods for estate planning can leave your assets vulnerable.



Estate planning is the physician's first line of defense against wealth loss

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: an introduction

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: a new panacea?

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: Patients’ No. 1 question

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: Talking about cost

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: Lifestyle changes are needed too

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: Learning about side effects, and managing them

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: Long-term safety

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: Predictions for the future

The new glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) antiobesity medications have taken medicine by storm.

, with manageable side effects and no indications yet of harmful long-term effects. 

 are clamoring for them. What do physicians think about these treatments?

, is the author or editor of 15 books, 65 book chapters and hundreds of scientific articles on overweight, obesity, nutrition, diet and exercise. He has traveled to dozens of countries speaking as an expert on those topics.

 about the effects these medicines are having, not just on BMI, but in physician and patient interactions around the country.

Look for his next book, “Patient Centered Weight Management: The Six Factor Professional Program & Toolkit,” written for medical and health care professionals, coming in 2025. It is the follow-up to his volume, “Six Factors to Fit: Weight Loss That Works for You!”

(And as the calendar winds down into the holiday season, here’s a bonus: 

 his blog with three tips physicians and patients can use to maintain healthy dietary habits in coming days.)

The introduction of new GLP-1 receptor agonist antiobesity medications has significantly impacted the medical field, offering effective BMI reduction with manageable side effects and no known long-term harm. These medications have generated high demand among patients, influencing physician-patient interactions nationwide. Dr. Robert Kushner, a renowned expert in obesity and nutrition, has extensively contributed to the literature on these topics. His upcoming book, "Patient Centered Weight Management," aims to provide healthcare professionals with a comprehensive program for weight management, following his previous work on effective weight loss strategies.

Robert Kushner, MD, an expert in overweight, obesity, nutrition, diet and exercise, discusses the effects of the new antiobesity medications.

Weight Management

GLP-1 RA drugs and primary care: What do physicians need to know?

This is your chance to tell us about staffing and salaries in your office as the 

Your answers will inform Physicians Practice stories going forward.

The 2024 Physicians Practice Staff Salary survey is now available, offering an opportunity to provide insights on staffing and salaries within medical offices. Participation in the survey will contribute valuable data that will shape future stories and analyses by Physicians Practice. This initiative aims to gather comprehensive information on current compensation trends and staffing dynamics, which are crucial for understanding the evolving landscape of medical practice management. The collected data will be instrumental in informing industry professionals about prevailing salary benchmarks and staffing practices.

Don't miss your chance to see how your practice measures up.

Take the Staff Salary Survey now!

. He has made a career as a researcher and author about overweight, obesity and nutrition. He’s also a doctor who has treated patients for years through Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Medicine’s Center for Lifestyle Medicine. His next book, “Patient Centered Weight Management: The Six Factor Professional Program & Toolkit,” written for medical and health care professionals, is due out in 2025, with his wife and co-author, Nancy Kushner, MSN, RN. It is the follow-up to his volume, “Six Factors to Fit: Weight Loss That Works for You!”

Lifestyle modifications are crucial when patients start using GLP-1 RA antiobesity drugs, according to Dr. Robert Kushner, a seasoned researcher and clinician in obesity and nutrition. Dr. Kushner emphasizes the integration of lifestyle changes with pharmacotherapy for effective weight management. His upcoming book, "Patient Centered Weight Management: The Six Factor Professional Program & Toolkit," aims to provide healthcare professionals with comprehensive strategies for patient-centered weight management. This work builds on his previous publication, "Six Factors to Fit: Weight Loss That Works for You!"

A physician researcher and author discusses the latest information on GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications.

GLP-1 RA antiobesity medications: Lifestyle changes needed too

 are effective – and expensive. How should physicians talk about this with 

, discusses the financial factors that affect patient treatment for obesity. He has made a career as a researcher and author about overweight, obesity and nutrition. He’s also a doctor who has treated patients for years through Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Medicine’s Center for Lifestyle Medicine.

The introduction of GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs) has shown significant efficacy in obesity treatment, but their high cost presents a challenge for patient access. Physicians must navigate these financial barriers when discussing treatment options with patients. Dr. Robert Kushner, an expert in obesity and nutrition, emphasizes the importance of transparent communication regarding the financial implications of these medications. His extensive experience in both research and clinical practice at Northwestern University underscores the need for balancing effective treatment with patient affordability and accessibility.

Kathleen McKee

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