Long-term care insurance and Medicaid planning can be critical to the type of treatment an individual receives during their vulnerable, elderly years. However, many people become mentally incapacitated (or fall ill) before making such arrangements, placing their safety and well-being in jeopardy. A durable power of attorney (DPOA) authorizes other individuals to handle certain financial, […]
Some of you reading this may never have heard the phrase Decoration Day. What we now call Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, when families went to local cemeteries or traveled to military cemeteries to decorate the graves of loved ones who died during military service. The Library of Congress reports that the first national celebration took […]
Did you know that May is Older Americans Month, a month when the nation honors and celebrates the senior members of our communities? This year, taking care of our seniors should be of the utmost importance as the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on their health and their day-to-day lives. In Ohio, the population is […]
Estate planning is important – you probably already know this much to be true. Unfortunately, the importance of such a task does not make it any more appealing when it comes time to get your affairs in order. Nobody likes to think about their own mortality, and it is hard to feel motivated to put […]
After a spouse or a parent passes, navigating the probate process can be extremely complicated. Even when someone has a will in place, there are many logistical issues and legal matters involved with administrating an estate that may require the help of a Probate Lawyer. Getting legal counsel from a Probate Lawyer can help remove […]
The most expensive part of your retirement may be long term care. Not everyone plans for it, but it is an emerging need and not having a plan to pay for it can leave you with limited options. According to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, if you are 65 years or older, you […]
A Michigan statute governs access to a deceased individual’s safe deposit box. The law establishes specific requirements and procedures that apply if you need to access a loved one’s safe deposit box after they pass away. It’s also important to understand those laws if you use a safe deposit box to store your valuables and […]
This video about Medicaid is provided by Dennis J. Toman, CELA, founder of the ElderLaw Firm in Greensboro, North Carolina – one of North Carolina’s TOP Elder Law and Estate Planning Firms. Attorney Toman and his firm are Members of the National ElderCare Matters Alliance and have a Featured Listing on ElderCareMatters.com – America’s National […]
Solid estate plans make efficiency a chief objective. Cost-efficient planning maximizes the assets available for beneficiaries by reducing administrative and filing fees that might otherwise decrease the value of an estate. Additionally, well-planned transfers allow for a family and loved ones to benefit from assets without lengthy delays. In Florida, part of this efficiency can […]
As we age it’s a good idea to start thinking about tidy’s up our lives. I’m not taking about “Marie Kondoing” your home. (If you don’t know who she is, well then think about Mary Poppins and her idea of clean). No, I’m talking about putting things in order so that if we need help […]
The popular Netflix movie, “I Care a Lot” begins with a scenario loosely based on a real life nightmare reported by The New Yorker several years ago. A large number of seniors were disenfranchised and abused by a guardianship system in Clark County, Nevada. Unfortunately, this is far from the only place where this elder abuse occurs. […]
Gathering your personal possessions and deciding who to distribute them to can be one of the most difficult tasks when creating an estate plan. To avoid family feuds after you are gone, it is important to have a plan and make your wishes clear to those you leave behind. When passing on personal belongings to […]
Do you think that estate planning is only for those with extreme wealth and that there is no reason for an everyday person to have one? This may be a common and damaging misconception many have about estate planning firms. Estate planning can involve the implementation of important legal tools to help protect yourself, your […]
Start planning now to secure a happy, healthy and worry-free future It’s no secret that as we continue to age, our physical health faces more and more challenges. Even with a healthy and mindful lifestyle incorporating a nutritious diet and moderate exercise, the truth is that the human body naturally declines into its advanced years. […]
Identifying the most common issues of aging and learning how to navigate life’s natural aging process with confidence From early childhood to adolescence and mature adulthood, the last thing we tend to think about — or wish to think about — are the Issues of Aging. Whether we’re too busy meeting life’s demands – getting […]
Medicare provides health insurance for retirees, but it doesn’t cover everything. In fact, there’s a lot that Medicare does not cover, and many of these are health care costs that can consume a nest egg. Here are the top five healthcare costs that should be part of your retirement preparations: Medicare and Long Term Care Costs […]
Recently, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a new regulation to protect senior investors from unscrupulous financial advisors and brokers. Rule 3241 limits the ability of a broker-dealer to be named as a beneficiary, executor, trustee, or power of attorney for one of their customers. Broker-dealers must provide written notice to their firm, and the […]
No. A video will is not effective in Florida if there is only a video (and not a written will). Under this circumstance the decedent will be treated by Florida courts as if they died intestate (without a will). What is Will Invalidation? Under Florida law, a person cannot use a video as the instructional […]
Dementia is one of the most devastating conditions affecting seniors, resulting in an eventual loss of cognitive functions. While there is no cure for dementia or the two leading diseases that cause dementia, Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, there are treatments that can slow the effects and help make life more manageable. In order for […]
When a family addresses probating the estate of a deceased loved one, a common concern is what happens if the family cannot locate the original Last Will and Testament. A frequent question is whether a copy of the will can be probated. Under Michigan law, the answer is maybe (or maybe not). Whether you can […]
Did you know that elder law attorneys specialize in legal issues facing seniors? There are a variety of reasons that a person may need to enlist the help of an elder law attorney, but everyone should consider these three tips when answering the question of how to choose an attorney. The first thing to do […]
Here are some Year-End Tax Planning Moves to considering making BEFORE December 31, 2020. There are a number of smart money moves to make before this historic year is over. Some of them were enacted as part of the economic relief package passed earlier in this year and others are traditional techniques, like charitable donations […]
Transitioning an elderly parent to an assisted living facility, no matter how it’s needed, is never an easy move for elderly parents or the adult children. Many do not want to leave the home they’ve known for years to move into unfamiliar surroundings, especially if they consider it to be a loss of independence. However, […]
Do you want to let Michigan laws and courts decide the distribution of your property and management of your estate after you pass away? If not, you should consider having a Will, which is a legal document formally named a “Last Will and Testament.” Importantly, a Will is not the only document you need to […]