Recent Blog Posts
Key Components of a Letter of Intent
A letter of intent is an informal estate planning document that allows you to make your wishes known to your heirs. Unlike wills and trusts, it is not a formal legal document but a message to your loved ones concerning your estate plan and the decisions you made while creating it. In our last… Read More »
Why You Should Draft a Living Will Sooner Rather Than Later
Most folks have strong opinions about the kind of medical care they will receive if they should become incapacitated but aren’t aware they have the power to put those wishes into a legal document. A living will discusses whether or not you want every measure taken to save your life (such as the DNR… Read More »
Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Estate planning is of vital importance even for the young. It’s something everyone should do to protect themselves while they are still alive. It ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death and it will prevent your family from fighting over your estate. You never know when you’re going to… Read More »
Can the Presence of Belly Fat Predict the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease?
As our knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease grows, medical researchers have tried to find more ways to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s in patients. Alzheimer’s is a condition that slowly erodes the brain’s function leading to memory loss, mood disturbances, and behavior changes. Recent research indicates that a physical precursor of the disease might manifest… Read More »
Can Learning a Second Language Help Slow the Progression of Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and damaged cognitive abilities. Biologically, it can be seen through the buildup of harmful proteins and brain atrophy. However, a recent study published in the journal Bilingualism: Language and Cognition revealed a factor that may inhibit the decline brought about by Alzheimer’s disease and… Read More »
Study: Older Adults in Poor Physical and Mental Health are More Apt to Feel Lonely
JAMA Network Open recently published a study indicating that there were high rates of loneliness and social isolation among older adults, especially those who reported that they had poor physical and mental health. Adults between the ages of 50 and 80 often report social isolation and loneliness. In 2018, 33.9% of the survey’s respondents… Read More »
Five Advantages of Establishing a Living Trust in Virginia Beach
Living trusts are an estate planning tool that provide several advantages over wills. In this article, the Law Office of Angela N. Manz will discuss the top five advantages of living trusts and how they work to protect your assets and safeguard your legacy. #1. Avoiding probate When you die with a will, your… Read More »
Year-End Estate Planning: Your Guide to 2025
Now that 2024 is over and a new year has begun, it’s the perfect time to take a look at your current estate plan to ensure everything is in order. The end of the year is an ideal time to prioritize your estate planning. In this article, the Law Office of Angela N. Manz… Read More »
What Legal Steps Should I Take Before a Major Surgery?
Here at the Law Office of Angela N. Manz, we help older Virginia Beach residents prepare their estates for possible long-term care needs or even death. Before you go in for a major procedure, you should have your affairs in order in case the worst happens. You don’t want to find yourself in a… Read More »
Cholesterol Shifts May Indicate Cognitive Decline or Dementia
According to preliminary data to be presented at an American Heart Association meeting in late November, significant year-to-year fluctuations in cholesterol levels without changes in medication may indicate that older adults have a higher risk of cognitive decline or dementia. This could be crucial to diagnosing cognitive decline and dementia early. “Older people with… Read More »