The “Queen of Soul” died last August. At the time of her passing, her heirs were not aware of an estate plan. Now, months after her passing, handwritten wills were recently discovered in her home.Aretha Franklin’s estate is likely worth millions. The...
Tips to help find the right elder law attorney for your needs
The current legal market is shifting from one where a single individual can handle almost any legal issue to a market that requires specialization. Much like the medical field, these days it is common for each attorney to have a specialty. As a result, just like you...
Two reasons to see an elder law attorney
An elder law attorney is a legal professional that specializes in the issues that arise as we age. These issues can include the transfer of the power to make financial or health care related decisions and planning for long-term care needs. Two specific benefits an...
Optimizing pension benefits for veterans and spouses
The right to independence is a core American value, something many have committed their lives to defending in service to the country. Living life independently on our own terms ranks equally high on that value scale. Sadly, aging has a way of slowly eroding our...
Understanding government’s 5-year look-back rule
Ensuring appropriate medical care for a loved one in old age can be a challenge. Health insurance only covers so much. Estate planning may provide the means to ensure maintenance of needed care through Medicaid, the combined state and federal government program for...
Planning is even more important if you have no family
A woman who celebrated turning 100 had this to say when asked how she felt about the achievement. "It's nothing to strive for." Not everyone feels that way, of course, but many do. And one of the certainties of the world today is that many of us are living longer....
Actions you can take now if parent guardianship is anticipated
Let's presume you are a millennial only child and your parents are in their 60s. Maybe you are not feeling concerned about their ability to take care of themselves right now, but you recognize that the day is bound to come when they won't have the capacity to make...
The process to obtain guardianship over an incapacitated adult
Many adults deal with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If your loved one is incapacitated, you may want to step in and manage their life. To do this legally, you need to be granted guardianship of that person, taking them as a ward. Obtaining...
VA benefits for elderly veterans
The Veteran’s Administration estimates that there are more than 12 million veterans in the United States who are over the age of 65. Many of these veterans are not aware of the benefits available to them through the VA.Two programs that are especially helpful...
Three tips for those considering Medicaid eligibility
Those who are starting to consider long-term care needs may want to take steps to qualify for Medicaid.Three tips that can help better ensure you make the most of your hard earned assets include:Gifting. If you are building your estate with the hopes of passing on...