Even though nearly half of Americans age 55 or older acknowledge that estate planning is important, few have wills, powers of attorney, or health care directives. These documents help guide your representatives to provide the end-of-life wishes you seek. Estate…
With the Internet of Things (IoT), identifying and managing your digital property is more important than ever. From smart home devices to online investments and bank accounts, we’ve gone way beyond using the internet to email family and social media…
Unless big changes arise, the forty-year inflationary high is going to continue well into 2023. Bankrate’s Third-Quarter Economic Indicator poll projects inflation will be more significant than previous expectations over the coming twelve to eighteen months. Even in the best…
Fiduciaries are individuals, professionals, or organizations that are legally obligated to act in the best interest of their appointed beneficiaries. Carrying out the terms of a will or trust or making medical or financial decisions on behalf of another are…
CMS has proposed simplifying Medicaid enrollment and increasing the number of people eligible to obtain and maintain coverage. Overall the goal is to streamline applications, verifications, enrollments, and renewals, standardize processes, and reduce red tape. These proposals are a response…
It is common today for families to have stepchildren, and in cases of inheritance, stepchildren are often treated the same as biological children. This is particularly true where stepchildren are part of a blended family from an early age. Biological siblings…
Power of Attorney (POA) documents are an essential part of estate planning. All states recognize powers of attorney, but rules and requirements will differ from state to state. The document gives one or more individuals the legal authority to act…
With a comprehensive estate plan, you can ensure a successful transfer of wealth to your loved ones. However, many of us often overlook the crucial part of communicating our estate plan to family and heirs. Even with a thorough and…
Low-income seniors with limited assets and income can obtain healthcare and long-term care through Medicaid, a federal/state program. Many seniors believe their only option to qualify for the program is to “spend down” their assets. While this is true in…
It is common for disputes over guardianships and conservatorships, wills and trusts, and family real estate to arise as part of probate litigation. The most successful approach to mitigating or avoiding probate litigation risk is careful planning. Comprehensive estate plans…