The risk of probate litigation is greatly influenced by family dynamics. Still, there are two fundamental reasons: families disagree with how to handle a mentally incapacitated family member or, after death, disagreements regarding the dissolution of the estate. High-risk factors that often bring...
Your golden years should not be tainted by never-ending financial issues. The stress that money problems bring not only ruins your aging experience but can also be disastrous to your health. Rising health care costs and your increased need for health care can add up to big bills that can further ...
Envision a time when you are no longer able to care for your sick spouse at home. At this emotionally difficult time, the last thing you need is the stress of not knowing where to find the money to pay for the steep costs of institutional care. Advance planning is a must. As soon as you can – i...
It may be awkward to discuss your wealth with your children. Talking about how much money or property you have is usually viewed as taboo. Asking someone else about what they have is often considered impolite. But failing to talk to kids about how much they may inherit could leave them unprepar...
Blended families are usually characterized by a couple bringing their children from a previous relationship into the new union and then having children together. Blended families highlight the need for careful estate planning to make sure the needs of each spouse are met, as well as the needs of ...
According to a 10-year study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) there is a connection between hearing loss and various health risks. The risks include a 50% greater risk of dementia, a 40% greater risk of developing depression, and a nearly 30% higher risk of accidental fal...
Imagine this scenario, an unwed middle-aged lady, Sandy, being the sole caretaker for her 85-year-old mother. Â Sandy still worked full time and would help her mom in the evenings and weekends. Unfortunately, Sandy was in a serious car accident and would be out of work for at least 8 weeks. Â She...
The percentage of older adults without a will has remained mostly unchanged, despite the coronavirus pandemic according to a report by caring.com. Remarkably, younger adults with a will show an increase of sixty-three percent comparative to pre-pandemic times. This 18 – 34 year old demographic ...
The single greatest minority in the United States is comprised of the 58 million Americans five years of age or older that are recognized as special needs. The majority of federal and state benefits available to help persons with disabilities are needs-based, meaning income and assets are strictl...
A friend of yours, Rose, has asked you to be the trustee of her trust. You want to help, but you're concerned about all that responsibility. You would be managing Rose's property for her and for others whom she names as beneficiaries. You might be paying her bills and taxes, overseeing bank accou...
The prevalence of autism is on the rise in the US. Because the condition first manifests itself before the age of 3, the majority of people receiving new diagnoses are under the age of 6. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a broad range of behavioral conditions that include challenges with ...
Jack Hanna, wildlife expert, author, guest TV personality, and TV producer known for starring in shows like Animal Adventures, Voices for Wildlife, and Into the Wild, is retiring from work and public life because he has dementia. Known as "Jungle" Jack, he left the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, wher...
The first approval for a drug to treat Alzheimer's since 2003 has recently been introduced under the trademark Aduhelmâ„¢ by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug, Aducanumab, is a therapeutic drug that clinically demonstrates a potential to delay further decline from Alzheimer's di...
Caregiving to a loved one, as their care partner, during a crisis is challenging. And since the advent of COVID-19, we know that being prepared is more important than ever before. Caregivers must balance the need for their care partner's health and balance it with that person's safety. As the US ...
Have you ever heard from one of your older family members– "I had a terrible sleep last night." Or perhaps "I kept waking up with my mind racing and couldn't fall back to sleep." Sleep patterns tend to change, and that is perfectly normal as we grow older. Research shows that older adults may r...
Whether you have a household pet or a farm animal, it is possible to provide for them after you are gone or no longer can tend to their needs by creating a pet trust. A pet trust is a legal arrangement that will specify how to care for and take care financially of your beloved pet and is legally ...
Although each situation of providing care for an aging parent is unique, one truism is that preparation is crucial to success. Whether you need basic information about eldercare resources and services, are looking for a local agency to provide those services, or have worries about legal documents...
It's the unfortunate truth that many people are struggling with a substance-abuse problem, living on the streets, or suffering from mental disability – or all three simultaneously. Many families want to assist family members struggling like that, but families are unsure how to offer that assist...
A new bill, "For the 99.5% Act," was introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Jimmy Gomez into Congress on March 25th, 2021. The bill's current form is only 18 pages long, but its potential impact on federal estate and gift tax laws significantly affects estate planning. While it is impossible ...
To address issues in both business and personal life in your estate plan, you should write a letter of intent (LOI). Your LOI is a valuable piece in your estate planning, and although it is an informal letter, it can more fully represent your intentions after you die. Everyone knows they need to ...
More Americans than ever store and provide information through digital apps on smartphones and tablet devices. Whether engaging in online banking, using a mobile plane boarding pass, or creating work calendars shared in the cloud, the internet of things provides needed connectivity. Yet critical ...
Americans do not yet know if there will be another stimulus check in 2021. We do know that the IRS is nearly done sending out its third round of stimulus checks, and some lawmakers are already pushing for a fourth. Though some households are showing signs of economic recovery after more than a ye...
The April 2020 unemployment rate for workers 55 and older rose to 13.6 percent though many of these Americans want to work. COVID-19 restrictions and associated layoffs account for some unemployment increase, but so does the lack of employment opportunities among older Americans.A coexisting chal...
Children with a wide variety of special needs (disabilities) can live more productive lives than ever before with today's medicine and health care advancements. Many scientists regard the term special needs as a euphemism for disability. Yet, the difference between the two terms is primarily one ...
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 from the hospital, the family must make crucial decisions in a highly stressful situation. There may be littl...