Getting the whole family to come together in one room is not an easy feat. That is why many people choose to discuss important issues with their families during the holiday season. We always tell our clients: If you're appointing…
Many years ago, there were certain restrictions for home care. It used to be that, in a home care setting, if somebody wanted to hire help outside of an agency to care for mom and dad, that hired person could…
As we age, we are taught that it is important to have a will. Some of us recognize the value of having a Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will, and Living Trusts. What happens beyond those items?…
A trust is established by people looking to maintain control of their assets while avoiding the probate process, which is the process by which a family takes the decedent’s will to court. As part of probate, the court reviews the…
When a person dies, his or her estate may need to go through probate. If the decedent leaves a will directing how his or her property should be distributed after death, the will must be submitted to the probate court…
As the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy approaches, it is important to remember the loss of life and brutal destruction that was left in the wake of its path—in order to be more prepared for the future. Before the next…
Our practice produces many important documents for elderly clients. Clients may forget where these documents are located within their home, lose track of the documents’ location over the course of a move, or may pass on without sharing the actual documents (or their location) with their children, executor, or guardian.
There are a few smartphone apps that can assist individuals and families to keep track of important documents such as wills or advanced directives (healthcare proxy, etc.). This tool works in conjunction with the app’s ability to catalog the contents of entire homes. This umbrella function helps with ongoing organizational efforts as well as moving assistance.
In a previous post, we discussed 529 plans as a way to help contribute toward college tuition. In this post, we provide some food for thought before you help pay for your loved one’s educational costs. Can you afford to…
Many seniors who want to help their children and grandchildren ask, "How can I help my grandkids pay for college?" Helping pay for college can alleviate a lot of stress that a grandchild or the parents of a grandchild may be feeling…
Taxes are a part of life (and death) in the United States. If you earn sufficient income, then you must report that income and pay a tax on the income if it exceeds allowable deductions. One such deduction is a capital…