Elder law and estate planning are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences between them. While some overlap exists between the two, learning and implementing strategies from both law practice types is crucial to prepare for successful aging and…
Legal guardianship over an adult is known as a conservatorship. There are times when someone (or several people) can act on behalf of another. The conservator is the person(s) with the power to make decisions, and the conservatee is the…
Choosing which of my two children will be my legal representative when I need help paying my bills and talking to doctors is a difficult decision for me. Can’t I just name them both? You can, but please don’t. You…
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), Americans lose between 2.6 and 36.5 billion dollars in assets and money each year to elder financial fraud and abuse. And although self-reported financial exploitation occurs at higher rates than all other…
Planning for long-term care is important because nearly everyone will require it at some point in their lives. While we cannot predict the timing or level of care, we can take steps to prepare for an unexpected medical and financial…
In the event that you begin receiving social security benefits early, your benefit amount will not be reduced. Because you will be taking it at a younger age, your monthly payment will be smaller than if you had waited but…
In the US, many adult children live far away from their parents. Managing aging parents or in-law medical events can be a serious challenge without proper preparation and understanding of what your parents’ strategy may or may not be, no…
People who believe they are making a charitable donation to help less fortunate people are scammed by scammers who take advantage of their good intentions. Auto call lists that easily identify older victims and the ubiquitous online world of emails,…
At the beginning of a new year, we all take stock in our lives and make health care plans. Americans continue responding to the ever-present threat of COVID-19 in its many iterations, and we are identifying that which is most…
A family member or friend may need you to be their power of attorney. Your person may be planning for when they might become unable to take care of their affairs. For example, they might become disabled or incapacitated, and…