Recent Blog Posts
Off to College? Don’t Forget Your HIPAA!
The hot and lazy days of summer are almost over; parents are thinking about back-to-school sales, kids are making the most of their final days of freedom, and college freshmen are getting ready to embark on their first year of adult-hood. Most of these college students have a list (whether mental or physical) of… Read More »
Blended Families Require Special Estate Planning
With the current high rates of divorce and remarriage—even into the retirement years—many blended families have a lot to consider when they create their estate plans. This article entitled “Inheritance plans for blended families present many options” considers the situations of Alice and Jack, 70 year old common law partners who wonder what is… Read More »
Mom and Dad are separated, but not divorced. Will Mom’s assets be counted on Dad’s VA Application?
Many couples choose to separate without ever becoming divorced. This can cause confusion when it comes to completing the application for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension. Normally, the VA requires married applicants to provide financial information for both spouses. If your parents are separated, this could mean that Dad has to provide Mom’s… Read More »
Addressing the Growing Financial Concerns of Baby Boomers
The “golden years” are supposed to be a time to retire and relax after a life of working hard for yourself and your family, but according to a recent story on NPR, Baby Boomers have some big financial concerns about the future, many of which involve how they will pay for health care in… Read More »
Planning Your Estate Can Help Loved Ones Cope With Loss
In our line of business we like to think that what we offer our clients is more than a way to minimize estate taxes or avoid a lengthy probate, we like to think that what we really offer our clients is an opportunity for peace and comfort during a time of stress and emotional… Read More »
Retirement Assets May Be Unpleasant Surprise for Heirs
You’ll often read news articles or blog posts about saving for retirement—when to start, how much to save, what savings or investment plan is best—but there’s an important retirement topic which often goes underreported: How these retirement accounts impact your heirs. As noted by this article in the Wall Street Journal, “The new, higher… Read More »
Who Can I Contact if I Encounter Problems with Dad’s Nursing Home Care?
Most people try to learn as much as possible about a nursing home before their parent moves in. However, despite the careful consideration that goes into choosing the right nursing home, occasionally our clients experience problems with their parent’s nursing home care and quality of life. One way to help resolve these problems is… Read More »
Charitable Lead Trusts Can Benefit Your Heirs AND Your Favorite Charity
2011 and 2012 are good years not only for heirs but also for charities; high estate- and gift-tax exemption amounts (as much as $5 million per person) have many wealthy families exploring their options for gift-giving, and record-low interest rates are prompting many financial advisors to recommend that their clients set up charitable lead… Read More »
War Veterans May Be Unaware They Qualify For VA Aid and Attendance Benefits
One of the services Elder Law and Estate Planning attorneys often provide is helping clients navigate the application procedures and bureaucratic systems for the various state and federal medical insurance programs; and one thing that remains a surprise throughout the years is how many people forget about the VA Aid and Attendance Program for… Read More »
How Should A Caregiving Relative Be Compensated?
It is common knowledge in our society of aging Baby Boomers that many adult children end up taking months or even years off from their lives and careers to provide care for their elderly parents. Most children do this out of love and a sense of duty, but even in the closest of parent-child… Read More »