The Truth About Wills, Trusts & Senior Scams with Shari Sugarman

In this episode of Unlocking Senior Resources, I sit down with Shari Sugarman, the founder of Sugarman Law, to explore her journey into estate planning and her expertise in guiding families through complex legal matters. Shari shares how her passion for law developed early on and how her career evolved into establishing her own firm, where she specializes in estate planning, real estate, and elder law.

Together, we discuss essential estate planning tools like powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and the importance of safeguarding seniors against fraud. Shari also shares real-life stories about the challenges families face when managing inherited property, emphasizing the critical role of thoughtful estate planning to avoid family conflicts. Whether you’re navigating senior transitions or planning for the future, this episode is packed with actionable insights and advice.

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Episode Highlights

• [0:00] – Introduction
• [2:10] – Shari’s childhood inspiration to pursue law and her early career journey
• [8:00] – Red flags in estate planning: fraud prevention and undue influence
• [12:45] – The importance of powers of attorney and healthcare proxies for all ages
• [16:30] – How Shari built her own law firm to support seniors and families
• [27:00] – Complexities of handling inheritance and avoiding family disputes
• [38:00] – Real-life stories about partition actions, reverse mortgages, and planning ahead

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Links & Resources

• https://www.sugarmanlawpc.com/
• For assistance with transitioning out of your home, learn about our senior transition services⁠ or call us at (631) 388-7771.

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