13 11, 2023

What Is a Power of Attorney?

2023-11-13T06:16:50-05:00November 13th, 2023|

A power of attorney allows you to appoint an attorney-in-fact or agent, which can be an individual or an institution. Your agent acts in your place for financial or medical purposes if you ever become incapacitated or can't act on your own behalf. The [...]

10 11, 2023

Should My End-of-Life Care Plan Include a Death Doula?

2023-11-10T02:34:50-05:00November 10th, 2023|

Death doulas are available for people who are approaching the end of their lives, whether it is because of advanced age or illness. The service these professionals provide can help families and individuals who need additional supportive care. Adding a [...]

6 11, 2023

What Is Cost Basis and How Do You Prove It?

2024-04-27T15:03:52-04:00November 6th, 2023|

Knowing the cost basis of your property is important for tax purposes, but proving cost basis can be difficult. Cost basis adjusts at death, so it is always a good idea to appraise your property when a joint owner dies. [...]

3 11, 2023

Using a QTIP Trust in Estate Planning

2023-11-03T03:47:42-04:00November 3rd, 2023|

Estate planning is crucial when managing valuable assets and ensuring the smooth transfer of wealth to future generations. There are various types of estate planning tools available, some of which may be more useful depending on your circumstances. For some, [...]

30 10, 2023

What Is the Lifeline Program?

2023-10-30T03:47:01-04:00October 30th, 2023|

The Lifeline Program is a federal program that works to lower the cost of phone and internet services for low-income American households. The Lifeline Program can certainly benefit an older person living on a fixed income. With the reduced costs [...]

27 10, 2023

What to Know About Creating a Living Will

2023-10-26T07:37:05-04:00October 27th, 2023|

Creating a living will ensures your future health care decisions and plans are respected. A living will, or advance directive, is a legal document outlining medical treatment preferences and end-of-life care if you can’t communicate or make decisions for yourself. [...]

20 10, 2023

What Is Elder Abuse? Elder Law Q&A

2023-10-19T06:23:53-04:00October 20th, 2023|

Ten percent of adults 65 and older experience elder abuse each year, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Elder abuse happens when a caregiver or another trusted individual causes physical, mental, or financial harm to an older adult by an [...]

16 10, 2023

Should a POLST Be Part of Your Care Plan?

2023-10-16T02:23:45-04:00October 16th, 2023|

The American Hospital Association estimates that half of Americans suffer from chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Following a diagnosis, many experience concerns about the kind of care they will receive. They may worry about how invasive it will be, [...]

12 10, 2023

What Will Your 2024 Social Security Benefits Look Like?

2023-10-12T14:06:14-04:00October 12th, 2023|

In 2023, recipients of Social Security benefits saw the biggest increase in decades in their monthly checks. Although their payouts will indeed rise again in 2024, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be more modest – just 3.2 percent, versus the [...]

9 10, 2023

Is an Independent Living Facility Right for Me?

2023-10-09T06:45:44-04:00October 9th, 2023|

Housing options and the associated costs are among the top priorities for many seniors. Today, the housing market is unpredictable, while many seniors currently living independently may also have concerns about continuing their lifestyles. Moving to an independent living facility [...]