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"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"  - Maya Angelou Have a wonderful end to 2011 and start to 2012.  I'll be back with more thoughts on illness, death and taxes in the new year.

Doula -- it is a new age word to some, common to others.  I first heard of a doula when I was expecting my first child.  I even hired one with hopes that she would serve as a coach to my husband during the birth.  Our son had other plans -- he was breach and a c-section was needed.  Only one person could be with me in the OR, and that was my husband.  Our doula did assist in the few weeks after our son's birth, and was quite helpful. Up until this week I assumed that a doula was associated with the beginning of life, not the end.  Then I saw a Facebook post sharing an article for the LA Times.  Death Doula: A midwife for the end of life .  As I read the article it did seem natural to have an advocate assist as one's life draws to an end.  I see the family strife all the time.  A neutral party can be very helpful.  From navigating the health care system, to coordinating family visits, to making final arrangements. However, I woul...

While attending the 45th Annual CLEW Tax Seminar this past fall, the materials included a resource I had not hear of before -- IRS Publication 910 . It is the Guide to Free Tax Services, and includes a listing of free publications, an index of tax issues, and information on free services and programs. The link I am providing is for tax year 2010, once I see the publication for 2011 I will post an update.

Avoiding probate -- it's the goal of so many people. So what happens if probate is successfully avoided but the decedent had a safe deposit box? In a recent experience I had success by using a Wisconsin Transfer by Affidavit form. PR 1831 allows heirs to receive assets, without opening a probate, if the TOTAL probate assets were less than $50,000. The tricky part can be figuring out if an asset is probate or not. If there is a beneficiary form of any kind (TOD Deed, POD, TOD, Beneficiary form) that successfully transfers, then the asset is NOT part of the probate estate. I love it when problems can have relatively simply solutions! Please remember, a blog post is not intended to convey legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for guidance in your specific situation. Photo credit: www.sxc.hu - free images.

A beautiful tribute to those individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2011, The Legacy Letters: Messages of Life and Hope from 9/11 Family Members is a must read for anyone seeking appreciation for life or seeking to learn more about the familial impact of that tragic day in our nation's history. Each "chapter" starts with a brief biography of the individual who perished on 9/11. A letter written by a family member follows, almost always with a photo of the writer and the deceased. Do not attempt to read this book without tissue nearby. The loving words and raw emotion of those left behind is palpable. As the parent of young children I often felt a kick to my stomach reading about families very similar to mine who lost someone that day. I find the title a bit confusing. Legacy letters are usually letters written by the deceased, directed towards the next generation. Instead, these letters are a tribute to the departed. More of a eulogy ten years after the...

As we prepare to say good-bye to 2011, I am busily adding seminars to my 2012 calendar . Ranging from 45 minutes guest spots in retirement workshops to lunch & learns to 2 hour long seminars, there is an option for everyone. Please review my web site for specific dates and times. Also, I am in the process of adding additional events -- check back for updates. Enjoy the remaining days of 2011!

Depending on the size of an estate and the year of death, the personal representative may be charged with the task of gathering the decedent's gift making history. Assuming that the giftor had accurately reported those gift on tax returns, the history can be obtained by calling the IRS at 1-866-699-4083 . I have yet to use this number, however, other experiences with IRS toll-free numbers have yielded positive results. Thanks to R. Chistian Davis, Vice President, Private Client Group, US Bank, Madison, Wisconsin, for discussing this information at the 45th Annual CLEW Tax Workshop, presented by the University of Wisconsin Law School. Remember, a blog is for discussion, and is not a substitute for legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney and or tax person for advice specific to your situation.