Author Archives: Site Administrator
Moving to a Care Community? Check the Fine Print
Reading the fine print when purchasing a home in a retirement community or a care community is intimidating. The typeface is tiny, you’ve got boxes to pack and movers to schedule and, well, you know the rest. What most people do, is hope for the best and sign. However, that can lead to trouble,… Read More »
Timing Is Everything Where Medicare’s Concerned
There are many complex rules about transitioning from employment-based health care coverage to Medicare, and mistakes are expensive and often, permanent. That’s the message from a recent article in The New York Times titled “If You Do Medicare Sign-Up Wrong, It Will Cost You.” Tony Farrell did all the right things — he did… Read More »
How Do I Prepare my Parents for Alzheimer’s?
Can your mom just sell her house, despite her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s? The (Bryan TX) Eagle reports in the recent article “MENTAL CLARITY: Shining a light on the capacity to sign Texas documents” that the concept of “mental capacity” is complicated. There’s considerable confusion about incapacity. The article explains that different legal documents have… Read More »
Three Factors to Consider, When Deciding When to Claim Social Security Benefits
There’s an eight year window to file for Social Security, starting when you celebrate your 62nd birthday and ending when you celebrate your 70th birthday, says the Independent Record in a useful article titled “These 3 Factors Should Influence When You File for Social Security.” You can file early, but that puts a dent… Read More »
Protect A Life of Working and Saving from Long Term Care Costs
Every month, Lawrence Cappiello writes a check to a nursing home for $12, 000 to pay for the cost of his wife’s nursing home care. Two years ago, his net worth was $500, 000. In less than two years, the Cappiello’s savings will be gone. This unsettling story is explained in the article “How… Read More »
What Seniors Need to Know About Annuities
An annuity will pay income to you for the rest of your life. However, if you are considering buying an annuity, you need to understand what you are getting yourself into, before you hand over your life savings. Companies that sell annuities would go out of business, if they did not hedge their bets…. Read More »
When Should I Review My Estate Plan?
As life changes, you need to periodically review your estate-planning documents and discuss your situation with your estate planning attorney. WMUR’s recent article, “Money Matters: Reviewing your estate plan, ” says a common question is “When should I review my documents?” Every few years is the quick answer, but a change in your life… Read More »
Is Will Planning the Same as Estate Planning?
Will planning and estate planning are very different processes. Both provide family members with instructions on how assets should be distributed after death, but estate planning goes beyond that, to provide instructions on your health, finances and more while you are living, according to an article from Lexology titled “The Differences Between Will Planning… Read More »
Why Aren’t Roth IRAs for Everyone?
Some of the features of the Roth IRA make it look like a traditional IRA on steroids. There are no required minimum distributions and you have the ability to take withdrawals before you retire and you can even contribute to your Roth IRA after age 70 ½. However, it’s not for everyone. A major… Read More »
Will Stepmother Take Dad’s Money When He Dies?
Here’s a savvy and responsible stepmother—she called for a meeting with the estate planning attorney. At age 57, married to a 72-year old man with three kids from his first marriage and two kids from their marriage, she wanted to make sure that his wealth didn’t become a source of agitation for the family,… Read More »