Death is Life - A Reflective View of My Jamaica Journey

I share with you a link to one person's reflection on my visit. She served as the Public Affairs specialist for my trip.
Her words help capture the wonderful experience I had sharing my estate planning expertise in Jamaica.  I spoke to the retired community, American Embassy personnel, college and high school students as well as those in the legal community. 

Contact us  for your estate planning needs.

American Ambassador to Jamaica

Estate Planning is about to get a boost in Jamaica through public forums in its cities of Kingston and Mandeville.  The estate planning topic is being sponsored by the United States Embassy on September 22 and 23, 2011.  I will serve as the Guest Speaker and subject matter expert. 

This is an opportunity which is important for many reasons.  Of course, it is a topic that I write about and feel is critically important to everyone.  With these particular presentations, I also have the opportunity to be hosted by and present to my former undergraduate professor.  Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater taught in the Political Science Department of Morgan State University before her stella career in the foreign service.  She continues to be a role model to all her former students and to many others whose lives she has touched.  I look forward to being a part of the American Embassy's important work in Jamaica. 

 

Jamaica - The Artist and Estate Planning

Estate planning is of particular importance in the Art world.  However, many artist, like most folks, have not attended to getting their affairs in order.  Whether it is visual, musical or other art forms, it is important that the artist protect and preserve his or her intellectual property rights, his or her copyrights or his or her ownership of work produced in a physical form. 

I had a conversation during my recent visit to The National Gallery of Jamaica about Artists and Wills.  The museum has seen first hand what could happen to works on loan when an artist dies without making provisions for his art work.  Money and time can be saved when an artist makes his plans clear by having a Will and keeping it up to date. 

We all have loved ones we want to protect and assets to preserve and pass on.  Contact our offices at http://www.ythlaw.com/ for your estate planning needs.

Jamaica - Local News

Whenever I speak in a foreign country, I read their local papers for current events.  You want to understand what is happening in a country during your visit.  It helps with the relevancy of my presentation to put it into a local context. 

In this morning's paper, The Gleaner, there was a probate question posed by one of the readers.  The response was provided by a local attorney.  It was strikingly similar to inquiries I have addressed.  What happens when the original will can not be found?  What happens if the executor named in the will is deceased?  What happens if the executor named in the will does not want to serve?  These and a host of other questions will be addressed in my upcoming presenation. 

By the way, if you were wondering, (1) if the original will can not be found, there are ways to qualify a copy; (2) you need a death certificate to show an executor named is deceased; and (3) if an executor does not want to serve, they have to file a renounciation form.  Contact us at http://www.ythlaw.com/ for your other estate planning needs and questions.

Jamaica - Business of Diplomacy

I arrived in Jamaica this evening.  After leaving the states, where the temperature had dropped to 50 degrees, I stepped off the plane into a warm 80 degree evening.  I was expedited through immigation into a waiting car to take me to the residence of the Jamaican Ambassador.  I will stay at the residence during my week  on the beautiful island of Jamaica.

I was awarded the U.S. Speaker and Specialist Grant to lecture on Financial and Estate Planning for Women.  My first grant was awarded in 2008 to lecture in Ghana and this one is to present in Jamaica.  There is a need both national and internationally to focus attention on getting ones' affairs in order.  If not for yourself, then for those you love.  When I reach beyond my own borders, I am able to still reach those at home.  Whether through blogging or news coverage, the message is delivered.  At some point the message hits home and action is taken.

Contact us at http://www.ythlaw.com/ and follow my blog over the next week, as I share the Jamaican diplomatic experience.