Recent Blog Posts
Changes to VA Pension Program Can Complicate Eligibility
Veterans Affairs provides long-term care benefits to some of the 20 million veterans in the U.S. To qualify, a veteran must have served for at least 90 days on active duty, with at least one day during war time. However, new changes can affect the eligibility for Aid & Attendance, which is the program… Read More »
Can a Loved One’s Estate be Sued?
Yes. Although your loved one is no longer alive, his or her estate can serve as the defendant in a lawsuit in many situations. As experienced probate attorneys, we often receive phone calls from panicked personal representatives who thought that closing a loved one’s estate was going to be simple. However, when the estate… Read More »
How to Deal with Power of Attorney Disputes involving Children
Advance directives like a financial power of attorney or a Designation of Health Care Surrogate can provide peace of mind to seniors in their golden years. With these documents, you can ensure that someone you know and trust will be making important decisions for you in the event of incapacity. However, disputes often erupt… Read More »
The Costs of Medicare Advantage Plans are Dropping
We have good news. According to a fact sheet released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average premium for Medicare Advantage plans continues to drop and will be lower in 2019 than it was for 2018. This should be welcome news to seniors on a tight budget, who can now… Read More »
Aging on Your Own
Unlike their parents’ generation, many Baby Boomers have never had children. As a result, they face the prospect of growing old alone, especially if they are divorced or have never married. There is no reason to fear growing old alone, but you do need to be especially organized. The sooner you begin making plans,… Read More »
Should You Have a Letter of Instruction?
A comprehensive estate plan should include a will or trust as well as advance directives, like a living will and a designation of health care surrogate. Another helpful estate planning tool is the letter of instruction, though few have it. Unlike the other documents mentioned above, a letter of instruction is not legally binding…. Read More »
Is it Time to Update Your Advance Directives?
Advance directives like living wills and powers of attorney are an essential part of any estate plan. Should you become incapacitated, you will need someone to manage your finances and make healthcare decisions for you. However, many people fail to update their advance directives as circumstances change, and as a result they are not… Read More »
3 Problems when Administering a Trust
Many people make a trust an integral part of their estate plan. Trusts can offer many advantages, including the ability to pass assets outside probate. However, someone needs to administer the trust. Many people serve as the initial trustee, but after their deaths someone must take over, often a family member or a close… Read More »
Protecting Seniors from Identity Theft
Senior citizens are popular targets for identity thieves. Not only do many seniors have more savings than younger people, but many are isolated from family and friends and will never report the theft. To protect yourself or a loved one from identity theft, follow the tips below. Avoid Giving Out Personal Information Identity thieves… Read More »
Watch for Signs of Caregiver Stress
Taking care of an elderly spouse or other relative is a stressful experience. Many caregivers suffer in silence, afraid to reach out for help as they put their own needs behind those of their loved one. Unfortunately, as doctors have been warning for years, being a caregiver is an exhausting experience. Many people will… Read More »
