Category Archives: Elder Law Attorney
I Am A Senior Citizen. Do I Need A Trust?
A trust is a legal entity that can either hold your assets for you during your lifetime or hold your assets for your beneficiaries after you pass away. The following article will discuss some common types of trusts and will provide a list of potential benefits from establishing a trust. Types of trusts Before… Read More »
Exploring Some Contributing Factors Of Nursing Home Abuse
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is extremely common. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, about 1 in 6 people aged 60 and older had experienced some form of abuse in a community-living setting, such as a nursing home or other long-term care facility. WHO also reported that 2 in 3 nursing home… Read More »
How Do Special Needs Trusts Work?
A trust of any kind is a document that expresses your wishes while you are alive and after you have passed. The need for a dedicated trust for loved ones differs with the situations or issues of the family. Getting this wrong can lead to financial devastation, explains the article “Take special care with… Read More »
Why Won’t IRS and Social Security Administration Like My Power of Attorney?
The IRS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) don’t recognize traditional powers of attorneys (POAs). Forbes’s recent article entitled “Two Times When Your Power of Attorney Isn’t Going to Work” explains why. The IRS says that you must use Form 2848, “Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative” to allow anyone to act on… Read More »
The Difference between Power of Attorney and Guardianship for Elderly Parents
The primary difference between guardianship and a power of attorney is in the level of decision-making power, although there are many intricacies specific to each appointment, explains Presswire’s recent article entitled “Power of Attorney and Guardianship of an Elderly Parent.” The interactions with adult protective services, the probate court, elder law attorneys and healthcare… Read More »
How to Be an Effective Advocate for Elderly Parents
Family caregivers must also understand their loved one’s wishes for care and quality of life. They must also be sure those wishes are respected. Further, it means helping them manage financial and legal matters, and making sure they receive appropriate services and treatments when they need them. AARP’s recent article entitled “How to Be… Read More »
How to Tell If Mom or Dad Need Caregiving Help
A 2016 AARP article entitled, “5 Signs Your Loved One May Need Caregiving Support, ” provides some great tips on what to look for when determining if an elderly loved one needs caregiving. Fall hazards. Does your parent have stairs without railings or poor lighting and other clutter that’s caused a fall? You need… Read More »
Protect Your Estate from Nursing Home Costs
Nursing home care is expensive, costing between $12, 000 to $20, 000 per month, so most seniors should do all they can to prepare for this possibility. According to a recent article from the Times Herald-Record, “Elder Law Power of Attorney can save assets that would go to nursing home costs, ” this is… Read More »
What to Do First when Spouse Dies
Forbes’ recent article entitled ‘Checklist for Handling the Death of a Spouse” tells us what to do when your spouse passes away: Get Organized. Create a list of what you need to do. That way, you can tick off the things you have done and see what still needs to be done. Spending the… Read More »
How to Plan for Spouse’s Medicaid
Medicaid eligibility, assuming that you require long term care and have satisfied the medical eligibility requirements , is essentially a two-prong test or analysis of assets and income. That is, there are restrictions on the types of resources that you can have when you apply for Medicaid, specifically with regard to assets, if you… Read More »