What is the role of Medicaid Planning in Elder Law? Often Adult Children of aging parents walk into my conference room concerned about their parents' financial health care expenses, long-term care needs, mental capacity, and a lack of financial resources. Adult children want solutions. Every family circumstance is different. Often, the solution involves Medicaid pre-planning or a crisis plan. Let’s review the role Read More
Seniors and an Estate Plan
Seniors Need An Estate Plan Why do Seniors need an estate plan? Seniors require extra elder care in estate planning. Seniors lacking appropriate estate planning hinders the spouse and family’s inability to provide necessary support and to navigate major changes in life.Recently a family scrambled to care for an aging father with an onset of dementia and a mother with progressed dementia. There is no estate plan, no Read More
Co-Parenting and Holidays
Co-Parenting and Holidays are challenging. The holiday season is right around the corner. There is a wonderful opportunity to connect and to create new memories. However, for divorced parents, the holiday season is a time of added stress and increased strife. To avoid negative holidays, here’s some tips for co-parenting and visitation schedules. Co-Parenting Holiday Success Divorced parents need a visitation Read More
Veterans and Estate Planning
In November, we honor the men and women who serve or served in our Armed Forces. Men and Women serving in our military make daily sacrifices to protect and defend freedoms we often take for granted. As a daughter of a veteran who grew up around the military, I give back to our veterans. This blog provides information for our Military Veterans and Estate Planning and benefits such as Aid and Attendance, Long-Term Read More
VIOLENCE AGAINST SENIOR WOMEN
October is Awareness about Violence Against Women (VAW). The toll of “fight or flight” and staying in survival mode is not a lifestyle choice but one victims endure usually at the hands of a trusted Partner. It is a difficult situation and often causes permanent physical and psychological scars. Today, I want to shed light on a less obvious group of victimized women: Senior Women. One in ten seniors fall victim Read More
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILIT)
ILIT-Advanced Estate Planning In today’s blog post, I will take a closer look at one of the more “advanced” estate planning tools: the Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). Trusts are financial instruments which allow a person to organize his or her assets and property in a certain way to achieve personal goals. For instance, you may want a plan that provides tax benefits, asset protection, or ensure speedy and Read More
What Happens If I Have COVID-19 At College?
With the reopening of colleges and living on or off campus, any entering freshman and college young adult needs to ask, “What happens if I have COVID-19 at College?” Perhaps young adults doubt their vulnerability to the virus. Still, real-life stories exist about young people facing this deadly health crisis and not having full immunity. Youth is not a protection against catching it or dealing with hospitalization; Read More
What Happens If I Die Without a Will?
Many Americans spend a lifetime earning a retirement, paying for a home, building up a dream savings. People spend years gathering but very little on life planning. You may ask, “What happens if I die without a last Will and Testament?” In St. Louis County Missouri, more than fifty percent (50%) die without a will. Let’s take a look at what it means to your family if you die intestate. Without a Will, What Read More
How do I Give Money to Charity When I Die?
Often, I sit down with single people and older adults who want to leave money to a charity. The question asked is “How do I give money to a charity when I die? One option is to create a Charity Trust to support a non-profit cause that is close to your heart. Are you single and have no children? Maybe you have children but want to leave money to Charity. A Charity Trust allows you to give money to a recognized Read More
If I Die, What Happens to My Pet?
Are you a pet owner? I am a lifelong dog owner. For me, my dog is a member of the family. We love our dogs and cats and for some of you other types of pets. Many animal lovers truly feel that their pets are their best friends. What happens to the dog or cat if you die or become incapacitated? What happens if your pet outlives you? Pet Trust-Your Legal Solution You may recall that I published a blog discussing the Read More
