Senior Citizens Face Loss of Buying Power, Study Shows
Inflation affects all consumers, but older Americans are facing an especially dramatic loss of buying power.
Taking Care of Your Estate as Your Family Grows
Most young parents do not think about dying or becoming seriously ill or injured. As unlikely as such a serious event is when we are young, it is a possibility. This is why we pay for medical insurance, disability insurance,…
An Overview of Power of Attorney Appointments
As a precautionary measure, you should make provisions in case you become incapacitated and require someone to manage your affairs when you become incapacitated. These legal documents can grant broad authority to one or more power of attorney agents to…
Designating a Special Needs Child as a Beneficiary of an IRA or Retirement Plan in a Trust
A special needs child's government benefits must be protected by carefully planning assets to be left behind. It is also important to protect those assets against later claims after your death and, in some cases, during your lifetime, for additional…
A Family Caregiver’s Job Is Not Like Any Other
In terms of elder care, isn't it more sensible for a family member to provide assistance at home rather than paying someone else or taking them to a nursing facility? The family member can pay the bills, balance the checkbook,…
Planning an Estate for an Unmarried Couple’s Assets and Property
The number of Americans who are widowed or divorced has reached record levels, causing new partnerships to form among older Americans. The US Census Bureau reports that more than half of all older adults have only married once, opting to stay legally…
Probate: Understanding the Process
During probate court, a person's will is validated and the executor is responsible for handling the decedent's assets, debts, and final tax filings legally and according to the decedent's wishes. To begin probate, a personal representative or executor must file…
As Baby Boomers Retire, States Prepare for The Challenges
The United States is experiencing demographic and cultural shifts. The baby boomer generation continues to “gray” the country and is changing the way individual states set budgets and health care policies. More attention will be paid to the needs of…
Dementia Directives for Hand Feeding and Hydration
Sadly, many of us have witnessed the slow and dehumanizing death of loved ones and friends suffering from Alzheimer's. In the final stages of this and other dementia diseases, there comes a time when your loved one can no longer…
A Guide to Understanding Spousal Impoverishment Protections
A federal law that was passed over 30 years ago was designed to protect the savings of married couples on Medicaid. These protections prevent husbands and wives from bankrupting themselves funding care for their loved ones. They originally required states…