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…
Children should be divided assets equally in many situations. Yet, in some families, each child receiving the same inheritance can be inappropriate, deplete the estate’s assets due to ensuing litigation, or cause other family issues after you are gone. While the…
A grieving loved one should not inherit assets only to discover that they cannot be accessed for cash expenditures they will be responsible for after you die. Most retirees’ assets are in homeownership and retirement accounts, requiring a sale to…
Children, including minors and adults, may disagree about family circumstances, especially when it comes to inheriting your estate. Relationships can change and intensify when you die, with underlying issues that bubble to the surface, creating tensions over your estate and possibly…
Although elder law and estate planning are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences between them. To prepare for successful aging and preserve a family legacy, it is important to learn and apply strategies from both types of law practice.…
It is likely that you have questions regarding how you want your assets distributed and who should have that responsibility, regardless of where you are in the estate planning process. A trust can be a great tool in your estate…
You should discuss your estate planning with your spouse or life partner carefully. Before meeting with an estate planning attorney, it is best to discuss your ideas to present a united goal. This conversation can be challenging if you and your…
It can be difficult to discuss your parents' will or estate plan with them. Many adult children put off having the “dreaded talk” with parents and are unprepared when an unforeseen event like an accident or illness happens. A 2022 survey…
Older and disabled individuals are affected by a wide range of elder law issues. Lawyers who practice elder law assist seniors and loved ones in living better lives by advocating for them and creating legal plans for them. Elder law may include…