Better to Play it Safe: Proactive Estate Planning and Cognitive Impairment
Most financially savvy individuals begin planning their estate when they’re in peak mental shape. The idea that this might change at some point in the distant future is an unpleasant one, and they would rather [...]
A Powerful Exercise to Surface the Values You Want to Pass on to the Next Generation
Every one of us receives and passes on an inheritance. The inheritance may not be an accumulation of earthly possessions or acquired riches, but whether we realize it or not, our choices, words, actions, and [...]
Got Stuff? George Carlin Says You Need An Estate Plan!
George Carlin would have been a great pitchman for estate planning. You may remember his stand-up routine on "stuff." We all have stuff, and we're pretty particular about our stuff. We move it around with [...]
Impacts of the Trump Presidency on Estate Planning: Your Quick Guide
It's official — the Electoral College voted on December 19, 2016, essentially completing the 2016 presidential election cycle. With that bit of uncertainty behind us and a fresh year starting out, here's what you need [...]
Joint Accounts & Elder Abuse
At first glance, it may appear that opening a joint account with an elderly loved one is a great way to avoid probate or help that loved one manage his or her affairs. While joint [...]
The Importance of Maintaining Your Estate Plan
Congratulations! You were one of the wise individuals who took the time from your busy schedule to create an estate plan. You carefully devised a strategy for the division of your assets and debts. You [...]
Why Factoring Long-Term Care Into Your Estate Plan Pays Off
For most people, thinking about estate planning means focusing on what will happen to their money after they pass away. But that misses one pretty significant consideration: the need to plan for long-term care. The [...]
Make Reviewing Your Estate Plan One of Your New Year’s Resolutions
The beginning of a new year is a good time to take a look at your estate plan to make sure it is up to date. Less than half of people actually have any estate [...]
For Better or for Worse, States Are Turning to Managed Care for Medicaid Long-Term Care
More and more states are switching to a managed care model when dealing with Medicaid long-term care patients, a change that has resulted in a loss of services in some cases. Many states use managed [...]
Repealing Obamacare Will Have Consequences for Medicare
One of President-elect’s Donald Trump's campaign promises was to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), aka Obamacare, and Republicans in Congress have vowed to make repeal one of their first acts in the new term. [...]
Is It Better to Remarry or Just Live Together?
Finding love later in life may be unexpected and exciting, but should it lead to marriage? The considerations are much different for an older couple with adult children and retirement plans than for a young [...]