Is a Will All I Need?
About 50% of Americans do not currently have a will. While a will is a necessary document that every person who owns assets should have, it is still a relatively simple document that may not cover everything you want it…
Personal Property Memorandum Prevents Confusion
When a family member has passed, the family sometimes ends up arguing over personal property. Arguments can take place over things like a coffee mug, a piece of jewelry, or a painting. These types of arguments can be eliminated by…
Workforce Opportunities for Elderly Americans
Many older Americans are willing and able to work, however, in April 2020 the unemployment rate for eligible workers 55 and older increased to 13.6 percent. COVID-19 restrictions and associated layoffs account for some unemployment increases, but so does the…
Plan Long-Term Care Before an Emergency Occurs
In America, a lot of parents do not live close to their children. Managing aging parents or in-law medical events can be a serious challenge without proper preparation and understanding of what your parents' strategy may or may not be,…
Which Child Gets the Farm?
Imagine a pair of aging parents that have been farmers and own their farm. Now, though, they’re getting on in years and they’re considering moving into a smaller place. One of the daughters and her husband help run the farm,…
Will Preparation and Undue Influence
Targeted attacks on vulnerable older people to exert what attorneys deem "undue influence" constitutes elder abuse. It disrupts the older persons' impulse to provide for loved ones and instead leaves assets to the manipulator. Often, family members do not find…
Seniors Anxious About Spending Money
Senior citizens are using their retirement sparingly, even though the US economy has experienced over 10 years of economic growth. Bloomberg.com is reporting many retirees, and near-retirees are sitting on their wealth in much the same way large corporations are…
Health Care Power of Attorney Explained
Death and how it will come to you is one of the most difficult questions you could think about. Yet, if we want our dying to be meaningful and merciful, it is imperative that we think about it while we…
Be Cautious of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
As attorneys, we find people asking us why they can’t just download a will from the internet, add the children to their bank account and do a transfer-on-death land deed, for an estate plan. It’s just not a good idea.…
An Inheritance Could Jeopardize Your Medicaid
Inheritances can become costly with regard to Medicaid. When a person is drawing Medicaid benefits and inherits money or property, that inheritance jeopardizes the benefits. The inheritance must be handled carefully to minimize expensive penalties. What “careful” means, though, can…