Blog

In most states, spouses can purchase and own property separately from one another. However, in certain states – called community property states – if one spouse purchases property, it is considered the property of both spouses. How marital property is owned has implications for both estate and tax planning. There are currently nine community property…

No matter where you are in the estate planning process or if you are just starting to consider your options, you probably have questions about how you want your assets distributed and who should be given that responsibility. A trust can be a great tool in your estate planning tool kit. A properly created trust…

We received the following question from a client: When my brother passed away, he left money in a revocable trust for my children, but they could only get that money if they visited with the elephants in Tanzania. Why can’t my kids put that money toward something they could use, like paying off their mortgages?…

There are many legal matters that affect older or disabled individuals under elder law. Attorneys who practice elder law advocate for and create legal plans to assist seniors, and their loved ones, in living better lives. Elder law may include planning for retirement, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, long-term care planning, estate planning, guardianships, and…

More than 6 million Americans suffer from dementia and anxiety associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). It is hard to exaggerate the emotional and financial toll on families afflicted with the disease. People are desperate for therapies to improve the patient’s quality of life and slow the progression. Like all neurological diseases marked by neurodegeneration, the…

In a study, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has found that almost 75% of Americans who retire will need some form of long-term care (LTC), Genworth expects the median cost for these services to range between $53,768 and $105,850. HHS also reports that those who receive Medicaid-financed nursing home care will…

Talking about estate planning is a difficult, emotional topic but it’s essential for every family. Unless you’re certain your parents have an up-to-date will and a wider plan for what should happen in the event of their passing, you shouldn’t assume everything will be taken care of. According to a 2017 survey, less than half…

Your mother would probably say that, wouldn’t she? How often have you wished that you had listened to your mother? Nobody really wants to think in advance about accidents or illness. But if no advance planning has been done, and if an elderly parent has broken a hip, say, and is about to be discharged…

So, you’re officially divorced. In starting this new chapter of life, you should update your estate planning documents as soon as possible. You may no longer be legally married, but divorce does not automatically remove your prior spouse from your will, trust, or beneficiary designations. Here are some items to consider updating: Change Your Advance…

When people pass away, their assets go through probate — a legal process that distributes the person’s assets after death. The parties to an estate are the people involved in the probate process. Although not technically a party to the estate, the deceased person — called the testator or decedent — is essential. When people…