Was I exposed to asbestos while serving in the military

Video: Joseph P. Whyte, Esq. explains what happens when a person who was exposed to asbestos during service in the United State military wants to sue. Continue reading →

Many of our clients served our country in the United States military, particularly sailors on navy ships, and are understandably not anxious to sue the United States government. Well, we don’t sue the government. In fact, we can’t. We go after the companies that supplied the asbestos-containing materials to the navy.

Will I have to appear in court for my mesothelioma claim?

Video: Joseph P. Whyte, Esq. of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., answers the question, “Will I have to appear in court for my mesothelioma claim?” Continue reading →

A lot of our clients are understandably a little bit nervous about the prospect of appearing in court for a mesothelioma claim. I can tell you that most of these cases, probably 95 percent or more, settle out of court, but we will be ready to go to trial for you if the defendant asbestos companies don’t come up with an adequate settlement for you.

Mesothelioma Attorneys

Who we represent Mark C. Goldenberg: We’ve represented thousands of victims of asbestos exposure since the mid-1980s. Joseph P. Whyte: Electricians, we’ve represented. Steelworkers, we represented. Automotive workers, we’ve represented. Drywall workers, we’ve represented. People in all sorts of construction trades, we’ve represented them in numerous locations. Chances are that we’ve represented somebody who may have performed… Continue reading →

Who we represent

Mark C. Goldenberg: We’ve represented thousands of victims of asbestos exposure since the mid-1980s.

Joseph P. Whyte: Electricians, we’ve represented. Steelworkers, we represented. Automotive workers, we’ve represented. Drywall workers, we’ve represented. People in all sorts of construction trades, we’ve represented them in numerous locations. Chances are that we’ve represented somebody who may have performed your same trade, in your same location.

Elizabeth V. Heller: What sets us apart is we’ve been doing this for 25 years, as long or longer that anybody in the country.

Our client relationships

Elizabeth: The best part of my job is the relationships we build with our clients.

Mark: We are a client-first law firm, which means, to me, that the client is important. It’s not about the fee or certainly a business, and it’s about we have to make it that part of practice but really care about the clients. We always have.

Elizabeth: The relationship doesn’t stop when the case is over, the case is settled or verdict is rendered.

Edward T. Fansher: They have treated me as well as you can be treated. They’re always there when I call. If I need something, I call.

Elizabeth: We have a unique ability to assist with all our clients and other issues that come up. I’m proud of that.

Edward: I don’t know what to say. It’s been great, everybody at that firm.

Joseph: Your family deserves to hold accountable those companies that have put you in this situation.

Elizabeth: I do this, because I love helping people. I like holding hands. but I also like the battle. We do battle.

Washington State Ends Asbestos Clean Up By Prisoners

In 2013, a total of 65 Washington State residents died in job-related injuries or illnesses, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Of these deaths, 15 were related to asbestos exposure. The Department, which protects more than 3.2 million workers by ensuring that all Washington State employer’s meet safety and health… Continue reading →

In 2013, a total of 65 Washington State residents died in job-related injuries or illnesses, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Of these deaths, 15 were related to asbestos exposure. The Department, which protects more than 3.2 million workers by ensuring that all Washington State employer’s meet safety and health standards, monitors all employers and facilities–including the Department of Corrections.

Although no Department of Corrections’ employees or inmates have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, L&I believed that they were at risk of exposure thanks to a 23-year-old asbestos abatement program that sent inmate work crews to clean up asbestos at various facilities. One such facility was the Washington Corrections Center for Women-WCCW (Purdy Prison) in Gig Harbor, Washington. The program, which paid prisoners $4 an hour, sent a crew of workers to Purdy to remove 4,000 feet of old vinyl floor tiles and adhesive in the dining area of the prison’s kitchen building. The crew worked through two nine-hour shifts. Many did not adhere to certain safety rules and supervisors neglected to correct them.

In an article by Governing Magazine, Elaine Fischer–a spokesperson for L&I, stated that “[the WCCW] were allowing the workers to be exposed to asbestos.” Seven inmates from Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock may have inhaled dangerous asbestos dust during the asbestos abatement project at Purdy, says GM. The Department of Corrections, without admitting guilt, paid a fine of more than $70,000 to settle the state investigation into clean up practices. It also agreed to buy more equipment and do more training, which cut the original penalty of $141,000 in half.

The Department of Corrections had workplace violations in the past, according to L&I, including another case involving asbestos. Department of Corrections spokesperson Norah West says the Department had already been planning to shut the program down due to the risks of asbestos poisoning. After the 15th asbestos-removal project for the program for 2013, 18 days after the original fine, and 60 days before signing the settlement, the Department of Corrections shut down the asbestos abatement program.

According to the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), there is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber. OSHA says:

“Asbestos exposures as short in duration as a few days have caused mesothelioma in humans. Every occupational exposure to asbestos can cause injury or disease; every occupational exposure to asbestos contributes to the risk of getting an asbestos related disease. Where there is exposure, employers are required to further protect workers by establishing regulated areas, controlling certain work practices and instituting engineering controls to reduce the airborne levels. The employer is required to ensure exposure is reduced by using administrative controls and provide for the wearing of personal protective equipment. Medical monitoring of workers is also required when legal limits and exposure times are exceeded.”

For more information about federal requirements for asbestos abatement and for the renovation and demolition of buildings that contain asbestos, visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Sources
Governing Magazine
Governing.com
KXLY Broadcast Group, Spokane—Coeur d’Alene
KXLY.com
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA.gov
Unites States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA.gov
Washington State Correctional Industries, Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW)
Washingtonci.com
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
LNI.WA.gov
Photo by SGT141 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Ed Fansher: Asbestos Cancer Victim

Edward’s Work History with Asbestos Edward T. Fansher is my name. I started at Union Electric in 1967 at the Venice Powerhouse working as an ash handler and working in the coal game. The minute I walked into that place we were in contact with asbestos because they had it on all their pipes. I was not… Continue reading →

Edward’s Work History with Asbestos

Edward T. Fansher is my name. I started at Union Electric in 1967 at the Venice Powerhouse working as an ash handler and working in the coal game. The minute I walked into that place we were in contact with asbestos because they had it on all their pipes.

I was not an insulator, but I was exposed to it because there was dust. And then I got into the insulator trade and I worked with the insulation, cutting it and airing it. Never wore a respirator because they never gave us any warning that there was asbestos in it.

I did it all over the system, Venice, Sioux, Meramec, Rush Island, Labadie. That’s the five plants I worked at because I used to travel. And they all had them. They all had asbestos in them.

I’ve had a lot of buddies die from this, maybe five, six. In fact, some of them weren’t even insulators. They were welders. Like I said, it’s hard to say. You just do your job. A guy says, “You’ve got to go up and uncover these pipes. So and so’s got to get to these pipes. They’re going to revamp the whole thing.” So, you go up there and you start tearing the insulation off, get it all cleaned off.

Choosing Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C.

You know why I went there? First thing about that firm, the first time I met her, she shook my hand and looked me right square in the eye and she kept her eyes right on my eyes. She didn’t look down at the floor, or off to the side or anything. And she told me what she was going to do for me and didn’t wink, man.

How can I say it? I don’t think I’ve met more of an honest person in my life besides my wife, than Liz. That’s the honest to God truth. That’s the best way I can put it. They have treated me as well as you can be treated. They’re always there when I call. If I need something I call, or if I go to the office, they always wait on me. I take stuff back and forth to the office once in a while. I don’t know what to say. It’s been great, everybody at that firm.

Avalanche of Asbestos Lawsuits Aimed at Georgia-Pacific

Like many manufacturers of building materials and chemicals, Georgia-Pacific was a top supplier to the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. The products being supplied contained asbestos, which was precisely what the military ordered thanks to the amazing heat-resistant properties the mineral exhibited. Because of the widespread use of asbestos-containing products (ACMs) in the… Continue reading →

Like many manufacturers of building materials and chemicals, Georgia-Pacific was a top supplier to the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. The products being supplied contained asbestos, which was precisely what the military ordered thanks to the amazing heat-resistant properties the mineral exhibited. Because of the widespread use of asbestos-containing products (ACMs) in the armed forces, thousands of members of the military, and others that worked in military construction and shipbuilding, were exposed to asbestos. This was before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared war on asbestos-containing products and the companies that used it in manufacturing.

Today, asbestos is no longer revered for its heat-resistant properties. Instead, the mineral is feared because it is the only known cause of an aggressive form of cancer – mesothelioma.

As such, asbestos is banned in roughly 55 countries and partially banned in the U.S., making the manufacture and distribution of ACMs difficult. Most companies have stopped using the mineral altogether, including Georgia-Pacific (GP).

Unfortunately, by the time GP ceased using asbestos, it was already too late. GP’s joint compound – a putty-like building material which contained the cancer-causing mineral – hasn’t been used in more than 30 years, but it is still at the center of an estimated 60,000 asbestos legal claims against the company.

Joint Compound Banned, Irreversible Damage Surfaces Decades Later

In 1978, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned Georgia-Pacific’s joint compound, which was marketed under the name “Ready-Mix,” along with all other asbestos-containing joint compounds. Georgia-Pacific stated that it fully supported the ban, but says it ceased using asbestos in its product in 1977, and promptly switched to a safer substitute. However, before the switch, GP’s products contained between 2% and 7% chrysotile (white) asbestos. It is now known that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure – of any type.

It wasn’t until the new millennium that former construction workers, members of the military, and others began coming forward after exhibiting symptoms of asbestos exposure, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, tightening in the chest, persistent cough, and blood (coughed up from the lungs). Thousands of these workers, with the help of doctors, legal teams, and family and friends, traced their asbestos exposure back to Ready-Mix and other similar products.

Georgia-Pacific Launches Research Program as Liability Soars

Around 2005, as cases of asbestos-related diseases began to mount, Georgia-Pacific launched a “secret” $6 million research program to help defend itself against the legal claims by construction workers, former members of the military, and others. In 2006, the company hired a toxicologist to oversee animal testing, along with two consulting firms – Exponent and Environ – in order to “gauge the accuracy of decades-old studies, like those done by Mt. Sinai, showing high fiber counts associated with the sanding and sweeping of joint compound.”

Exponent was paid $3.3 million and Environ $1.5 million by Georgia-Pacific. Ultimately, after serious speculation about “fraud” and “junk science” and rulings against the company and its research by a New York appeals court, the findings were never used as a defense by Georgia-Pacific. In April 2005, Georgia-Pacific was taken private after being acquired by Koch Industries for $21 billion. There are no reports on how many of the 60,000 cases against Georgia-Pacific are still pending, but the total amount of liability is estimated at $1 billion.

Sources

Are Pleural Plaques Dangerous?

Pleural plaques are areas of hard, scar-like tissue in the outer lining of the lungs (pleura) and the muscle below the lungs (diaphragm). They are caused by exposure to asbestos, which can also cause the buildup of fluid between the lungs and the pleura (called pleural effusions), pleural thickening, and lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos… Continue reading →

Pleural plaques are areas of hard, scar-like tissue in the outer lining of the lungs (pleura) and the muscle below the lungs (diaphragm). They are caused by exposure to asbestos, which can also cause the buildup of fluid between the lungs and the pleura (called pleural effusions), pleural thickening, and lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos can also cause asbestosis, which is characterized by scarring in the lungs (called fibrosis) and it is the only known cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos has been banned in more than 40 countries and it is strictly regulated in the U.S. However, before the mineral became Public Enemy Number One, thousands of workers in dozens of industries were exposed for prolonged periods. Decades later, many of these workers developed asbestos-related conditions such as pleural plaques. These individuals worked in the construction and automotive industries, in oil refineries, mining, and chemical plants, and in steel mills, plumbing, pipe-fitting, insulation, and more. Asbestos use was also rampant in every single branch of the military. It was used in shipbuilding, and to construct planes, aircraft carriers, base facilities, and more.

Before the dangers of asbestos were widely known, it was believed that only prolonged exposure to large quantities of the mineral could cause irreversible damage to the lungs or fatal disease. It is now known that any level of exposure to asbestos can be hazardous to your health.

Symptoms of Pleural Plaques

Like other types of asbestos-related diseases, pleural plaques may cause impaired lung function. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), “as the pleura thickens, it can trap and compress part of the lung,” leading to labored breathing and tightening in the chest. However, the NHLBI also states that this is uncommon and in most cases, pleural plaques do not cause any other symptoms.

The British Lung Foundation (BLF) adds that if you have pleural plaques, it does not mean that you will go on to develop a more serious disease, or that you have a more serious disease at the moment. In fact, the BLF says people live with pleural plaques for many years without even knowing they have them.

Most people with pleural plaques find out that they have them through a chest X-ray or CT scan. The BLF notes that “the risk associated with exposure to X-rays or a CT scan is far greater than the benefits of finding out that you have pleural plaques.”

Treatment Options for Pleural Plaques

While pleural plaques are irreversible, they are benign and considered the least serious asbestos-related condition. In the majority of cases, they do not have to be treated. However, once you have been diagnosed with pleural plaques, the worst thing you can do is continue working in a hazardous environment or smoke. Smoking and further exposure to asbestos can still exacerbate the condition and lead to respiratory defects that may be categorized as a disability. Further, pleural plaques can increase the risk of developing other more serious asbestos-related diseases anywhere from 1% to 5%.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the attorneys at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. can help. Contact us today at 800-782-8492 (toll-free) to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation or click here to email us. We look forward to discussing your case.

Sources

For more information about pleural plaques, please review:

Amphibole Asbestos, Erionite Have Adverse Effect on Immune System

For decades it was believed that mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive form of cancer, was caused exclusively by asbestos exposure. Now, a number of studies suggest that exposure to another mineral known as “erionite” may also cause mesothelioma. Some studies have progressed a step further to suggest that not only are exposure to asbestos and erionite… Continue reading →

For decades it was believed that mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive form of cancer, was caused exclusively by asbestos exposure. Now, a number of studies suggest that exposure to another mineral known as “erionite” may also cause mesothelioma. Some studies have progressed a step further to suggest that not only are exposure to asbestos and erionite the main causes of mesothelioma, they may also have an adverse effect on the body’s immune system.

A team of researchers from Idaho State University’s (ISU) Department of Biological Sciences and Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) found that:

“Erionite and tremolite caused increased cytokine {nonantibody proteins released by a specific type of cell as part of the body’s immune response} production belonging to the TH17 profile including IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, and TNF-α. The frequency of ANA was increased in mice treated with erionite or amphibole compared to saline-treated mice. IL-17 and TNF-α were elevated in the sera of mice treated with erionite. The frequency of immune complex deposition in the kidneys increased from 33% in saline-treated mice to 90% with erionite.”

From this, the ISU team concluded that “both erionite and amphibole asbestos induce autoimmune responses in mice, suggesting a potential for adverse effects in exposed communities.” Among other benefits, this discovery may help doctors and researchers detect erionite and asbestos-exposure in the absence of other signs and symptoms which, in many cases, do not appear until decades after exposure.

About Erionite

Erionite is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that belongs to a group of minerals called zeolites. Once considered “full-fledged mineral commodities,” zeolites have been used in everything from pet litter, animal feed, and horticultural applications to oil and gas absorbent, odor control, and water purification, with pet litter, animal feed, and horticultural applications accounting for 65% of all applications.

Although erionite remains unregulated, applications have been somewhat limited to materials used to pave roads. Still, according to a recent report by the National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NTP), deposits of fibrous erionite can be found in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. Erionite fibers have been detected in samples of road dust in Nevada and in erionite-contaminated gravel on roads in North Dakota.

As such, residents of these areas may be exposed to erionite in ambient air, says the NTP, thus increasing the risk of developing mesothelioma.

About Amphibole Asbestos

There are six types of asbestos: amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, tremolite, and chrysotile. The first five types are called amphibole asbestos. Although amphibole asbestos is not the most common form of asbestos used in industrial applications (chrysotile, or “white asbestos,” is the most common), it is still considered deadly. Some studies suggest that it is more cancer-causing than chrysotile, while others claim it’s less potent in causing mesothelioma. The topic still remains controversial.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the attorneys at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. can help. Contact us today at 800-782-8492 (toll-free) to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation or click here to email us. We look forward to discussing your case.

100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma, Second EditionSources

  • Harvey I. Pass, MD, NYU School of Medicine and Clinical Cancer Center
  • Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR)
    ATSDR.cdc.gov
  • American Cancer Society (ACS)
    Cancer.org
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    CDC.gov
  • Merriam-Webster, MedlinePlus
    Merriam-webster.com/medlineplus
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
    Cancer.gov
  • National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    NTP.niehs.nih.gov
  • Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Volume 275, Issue 3, 15 March 2014, Pages 257-264
    Sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0041008X14000349<
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH), PubMed
    NCBI.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Naturally Occurring Asbestos Found in Nevada

It’s been roughly 13 million years since asbestos fibers formed in the roots of volcanoes (also known as “plutons”). For roughly 12 million years, the fibers have been breaking free and spreading out. Now, a team of geologists from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) say the small town of Boulder City, NV (pop.… Continue reading →

It’s been roughly 13 million years since asbestos fibers formed in the roots of volcanoes (also known as “plutons”). For roughly 12 million years, the fibers have been breaking free and spreading out. Now, a team of geologists from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) say the small town of Boulder City, NV (pop. 15,168) is situated on top of one of these asbestos- packed plutons.

The main type of asbestos emitting into the ground and air from the pluton is called actinolite–one of the six types of asbestos deemed toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actinolite asbestos, along with amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite are collectively called “amphibole asbestos.”

Amphibole asbestos is characterized by needlelike fibers. These fibers cannot be seen, smelled, felt, or absorbed through the skin. The fibers can make their way into the lungs and other parts of the body by simply breathing them in or swallowing them. This can lead to a number of debilitating asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or cancer of the larynx or ovaries. It is now believed that asbestos exposure can also lead to weakened immune function and other disorders.

Back in Boulder City (which is located just 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas and a few miles from majestic Hoover Dam), researchers performed a number of tests to assess the danger levels of the newly discovered asbestos. During one test, UNLV geology professor Brenda Buck (whose expertise includes dust and its effects on human health, and soil science of arid environments – modern & ancient) traveled along a dirt road in Boulder City, her horse in tow. At the end of the 3-hour trek, she discovered ample amounts of asbestos fibers on her shoes and pants.

Other tests showed that although the asbestos was not found everywhere, researchers had a very easy time locating samples. Buck, along with the other team members, concluded that although more tests need to be done, “We can’t in good conscience say there’s no problem.”

According to the EPA, “there is no safe level of exposure known; therefore, exposure to friable asbestos should be avoided.”

The UNLV research team agreed, and so did the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has awarded the team a three-year grant for the study. As such, further testing is now underway to help determine just how carcinogenic the fibers found in Nevada might be. The testing, which will be conducted by researchers at the University of Hawaii, will include a health assessment to help uncover any possible mesothelioma cases in the study area. In addition, the UNLV team has expanded the study area to Clark County–which has a population of over 2 million.

According to a report by the Las Vegas Review Journal, most of the study area will be “contained within the roughly 1,200 square miles of desert between U.S. Highway 95 and the Colorado River from Boulder City to the southern tip of the state.” As such, the Nevada Department of Transportation is also conducting its own analysis and testing, with plans by the state transportation board to invest up to $400,000 in the study.

Protecting Yourself from Asbestos Exposure

If you live in an area with naturally occurring asbestos, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers the following safety tips to protect yourself from asbestos exposure:

  • Avoid riding dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles in areas where asbestos is known to occur.
  • Drive slowly over unpaved roads.
  • Keep windows and doors closed on windy days and during nearby construction activity.
  • Pave over asbestos-laden rock or soil or cover it with asbestos-free soil or landscape covering.
  • Use a wet rag to dust and a wet mop to clean non-carpeted floors. Vacuum carpets often using a vacuum with a high-efficiency HEPA filter. Use washable area rugs and wash them regularly.
  • Use doormats. Remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in dirt. Try to keep pets from carrying dust and dirt in on their fur or feet.
  • Wet down garden areas before digging and shoveling.

For more information about the dangers of asbestos, please visit the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR).

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the attorneys at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. can help. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation at 800-782-8492 (toll-free) or email us. We look forward to discussing your case.

Sources

  • 100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma, Second Edition
    Harvey I. Pass, MD, NYU School of Medicine and Clinical Cancer Center
  • Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR)
    ATSDR.cdc.gov
  • American Cancer Society (ACS)
    Cancer.org
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    CDC.gov
  • City of Boulder City
    BCNV.org
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    EPA.gov
  • KLAS-TV Las Vegas
    8newsnow.com
  • Las Vegas Review Journal Reviewjournal.com National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    NTP.niehs.nih.gov
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) – Department of Geoscience Geoscience.unlv.edu
  • U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Land Management
    BLM.gov

Estate Planning for Young Families

Young couples are constantly bombarded with a series of questions about getting married, buying a home, and having a baby. One incredibly important question missing from that progression is “Have you planned your estate?” Being a new mother and an attorney, it’s my favorite question to ask new families because I know estate planning is the furthest… Continue reading →

Young couples are constantly bombarded with a series of questions about getting married, buying a home, and having a baby. One incredibly important question missing from that progression is “Have you planned your estate?”

Being a new mother and an attorney, it’s my favorite question to ask new families because I know estate planning is the furthest thing from their minds. If you’re anything like me you’re probably slightly obsessed with finding new ways to wear your baby, making your own baby food, finding the best deals on Zulily and signing up for infant swim classes. Don’t forget to add in long work weeks, sleepless nights, countless hours of pumping, and diaper duty!

I find that most families neglect to discuss estate planning because they think they are too young and healthy, do not have an estate to plan, or simply cannot afford the expense. I completely understand. Now that your bundle of joy is here, who wants to think about death? Why do you need an estate plan when you have a house with a mortgage, school loan debt and life insurance with beneficiary designations? How can you afford it with the cost of raising a child nearing a quarter of a million dollars?

I have one simple answer: because accidents, illnesses, and disabilities happen. Estate planning for young families is more than just deciding what happens to your property and it does not have to be expensive. It’s imperative to discuss who will make sure your child is sheltered, clothed, fed and safe if something would happen to you and your spouse. Plus, you can start simple and update your documents as your family and estate planning needs change.

At a minimum, your estate plan should: (1) name a guardian for your children; (2) name a trustee to handle the financial affairs of minor children; (3) name an executor to handle the affairs of the estate; (4) provide instructions for distribution of assets; and (5) plan for disability. This can all be accomplished by a simple will with a testamentary trust and powers of attorney for health care and property.

Without an estate plan, a court will decide for you without knowing your wishes, children or family situation. Give your family some peace of mind, save yourself some “mommy guilt” and responsibly discuss the tough questions to create your estate plan today.

Should you have any questions or would like to discuss your estate plan, please contact Holly Marcum.