A “Living Will” is a legally-enforceable written statement that indicates your preferences regarding end-of-life treatment. It applies if you are unable to communicate those preferences. Living Wills are not just for the elderly. People of any age can lose capacity. They may have an accident, suffer a serious injury, or develop a disability at any
Regrettably, many people fail to incorporate measures in their estate and retirement planning to deal with possible incapacity. For most, doing so can be as simple as having comprehensive financial and health care powers of attorney. For others, a trust may be more appropriate. Once incapacitated, it may be too late to implement these measures.
Buying or selling a home can be one of the most important financial transactions in one’s life. Sale or other disposition of one’s home after death is often the most significant financial transaction in the distribution of a decedent’s estate. Tax consequences play an important role. The biggest concern when selling property is usually capital
Approximately 6 percent of adult Americans experience an activity-limiting injury every three months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Injuries can happen because of carelessness, such as distracted driving or a slippery floor at a restaurant or store. In fact, accidental injuries are also the fourth-leading cause of death. Many people
Two or more persons can co-own a bank account. There are pros and cons to this arrangement -- some of which most people are unaware. George Vasiliadis, an attorney with the law firm of Vasiliadis Pappas Associates, notes that "as with so many other estate planning tools, joint bank accounts are sometimes used when better
Wills and trusts are foundational estate planning tools. While each is used to distribute assets to beneficiaries, they do so in different ways. Each also has its own distinct uses and advantages. They’re often used together to close gaps in an estate plan and prepare for multiple scenarios that might otherwise cause unexpected burdens for
Sam, Mary’s son and agent under her power of attorney, didn’t bother to seek legal advice after Mary entered a nursing home. “She only has $70,000. There’s nothing we can do”, he told his sisters. Six months later, with her funds exhausted, Mary sought Medicaid to pay for her nursing home care. To Sam’s shock
A Roth IRA does not have to be used as just a retirement plan; it can also be a way to transfer assets tax-free to the next generation. Unlike a traditional IRA, contributions to a Roth IRA are taxed, which means that the distributions are tax-free. Also, unlike a traditional IRA, you are also not
The story below illustrates the importance of including long-term care considerations as part of your retirement and estate planning. What happened to this unfortunate couple has sadly happened to many others and could happen to you and your loved ones also absent proper planning. Clarence and Elsie were the envy of all who knew them.
70% of all Americans over age 65 will need some form of long-term care. A properly-structured Family Caregiver Agreement provides an alternative to placement in a facility and to the impoverishment that comes with it. Benefits of a Family Caregiver Agreement You may ask “Why do I need to enter into a contract to take
