As the New Year looms, review your estate plan to help maintain it in good shape. Most people are familiar with the television personality, Ron Popeil. His tagline? "Set it and forget it!" While this might work for your slow cooked roast, it does not work for your estate plan! Reviewing your plan each year will help keep your Estate up-to-date and avoid time-consuming (and sometimes costly) issues for your successors. 1. Beneficiary Designations. Make sure the beneficiary designations … [Read more...] about Try This New Year’s Resolution: Review Your Estate Plan
General
Our Available Services During COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic
The health and safety of our clients, staff, and friends of the law firm are top of mind amid concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As estate planning and elder law attorneys, our practice is dedicated to serving our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors, those who are ill, disabled, experiencing mental health challenges and children with special needs. The uncertainty around the pandemic has many people with immune system challenges concerned about exposure to the … [Read more...] about Our Available Services During COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic
What Is the Difference between SSI and SSDI?
Although we often think of disability as something that occurs as we age, the reality is that anyone can become disabled at any time. A tragic accident or a debilitating illness could leave you incapacitated and unable to work tomorrow. If that were to occur, would your family suffer financially without your income? The odds are good that it would. Fortunately, we have several programs in the United States that are aimed at helping workers who cannot work because of a disability. Both the … [Read more...] about What Is the Difference between SSI and SSDI?
Assisting Family and Friends During These Trying Times
Before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of our clients were already assisting elderly or disabled family member and friends with such things as meals, medications, medical visits and shopping. Regular visits just to check in were also part of many folks’ normal routines. COVID-19 restrictions have had a large negative impact on many of these activities. So, how can you continue to assist under these new circumstances? Here are a few thoughts: Medical Issues Under a federal … [Read more...] about Assisting Family and Friends During These Trying Times
Important Notice Regarding COVID-19
We are happy to report that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still able to deliver quality legal services and to serve our community with their legal needs. We also are doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing facial coverings, disinfecting our office, providing hand sanitizer to all visitors, practicing social distancing, and offering telephonic and video conferencing options. While we navigate our way through this unprecedented era, we will be operating with the above … [Read more...] about Important Notice Regarding COVID-19
What You Need to Know about Osteoporosis
As we age, the natural aging process can cause physical and mental deterioration. Many of us will also develop osteoporosis. Because the more you know, the better you can plan and prepare, let's explore what you need to know about osteoporosis. What Is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis, which literally means porous bone, is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. Our bones are living tissue and constantly changing. From the moment of birth until young adulthood, bones are … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about Osteoporosis
CONGRESS PASSES THE SECURE ACT: HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU?
The most significant action of Congress in 2019 relating to retirement and estate planning was the late December passage of the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019”, commonly known as the “Secure Act”. It was signed into law shortly thereafter and is effective January 1, 2020, for most purposes. In this and future newsletters, we will look into the provisions of the Secure Act and also some strategies to maximize benefits and minimize problems created by this … [Read more...] about CONGRESS PASSES THE SECURE ACT: HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU?
Being in Control At The End of Your Life
States have historically allowed people to execute “Do Not Resuscitate” orders that, as the name implies, order physicians not to perform any procedures to resuscitate the individual if he or she is not breathing or has gone into cardiac arrest. Oregon, along with a number of other states, goes one step further -- and seniors appear to like the move. California has authorized a two-page form called a “Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment”, or POLST for short, that allows an individual … [Read more...] about Being in Control At The End of Your Life
Where Do It Yourself = Do It Wrong
An estate plan is an important part of one’s plan for the future. Many realize that they need the assistance of an experienced and qualified attorney to assist them in their efforts. Unfortunately, some folks will cut corners in their estate planning efforts in an effort to save a few bucks or because they think they are as smart as or smarter than their estate planning lawyer when it comes to drafting documents or both. Even with persons who were prudent enough to have their original plans … [Read more...] about Where Do It Yourself = Do It Wrong
When “No” is the Best Answer
At our law firm, we dedicate most of our time to helping our clients plan their estates, address issues involving incapacity and long term care planning, and helping to administer their estates and trusts after their gone. However, we also regularly get questions from our clients when they are the beneficiaries or heirs of someone else’s estate. When receiving an inheritance, few people consider that there may be a big decision looming. You are still mourning the passing of someone dear to … [Read more...] about When “No” is the Best Answer
