When a family member enters a nursing home or assisted living, it is an emotional and overwhelming time. This generally means that carefully reviewing the admission contract and related documents is not the top priority. In addition, most families do not know their rights. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous facilities take advantage of this. Family members who sign…
In reality, foreign real estate can complicate your life. It you own property out of the country it is important to undertake specialized estate planning. First, you need to understand that any real estate owned in a foreign country is subject to the laws of that country. Many countries have strict rules about who may…
Life insurance can be an important part of estate planning. It can provide important liquidity especially while other assets are going through probate or being sold. It is also an important solution for individuals who do not have sufficient other assets to provide for their children or spouses. However, lack of financial knowledge can lead…
There are a few lucky people who do not have to worry about saving for retirement. They have sufficient money that they can choose to stop working anytime and never worry about money. However, for most of us, it is important to invest and save wisely for retirement. Researchers recently decided to see how much…
A few states have taken a bold and controversial approach to combating elder abuse: handing out cameras to families who have private caregivers. Elder abusers are rarely caught and prosecuted. Many victims are unable to report the crime, let alone provide proof. Therefore, capturing evidence of abuse is an important public policy goal. In New…
For many of us, our pets are our children. However, interestingly, e would never forget to provide for our children after we are gone, but many people neglect to make any provision for their furry loved ones. When clients come to us, we always ask about their pets. Some clients tell us that they have…
Switching to generic drugs has not protected seniors from rising costs according to an Inspector General report just released. As discussed in a recent New York Times article, Medicare beneficiaries filled 17 percent fewer prescriptions for brand-name medications between 2011 and 2015. Yet during the same period the beneficiaries’ costs for branded drugs went up by…
As the population ages and more seniors want to stay at home, two of the fastest growing occupations are home health aides and personal care aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are two occupations (one medical and the other non-medical) that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities who want to remain as…
Most people who live long enough, will at some point reach a stage in life when they are no longer able to adequately or safely care solely for themselves. Some people will face physical problems for which they will require help. Others will face cognitive decline. It is important to share your values and desires…
If someone else gains access to one of your digital accounts, it can cause severe problems. The account does not even need to be a financial account. Someone hacking into a social media account can also cause a lot of damage. For this reason, some people go to great lengths to secure their accounts. After…
