If you are among the millions of Americans who has yet to create and estate plan, doing so now may make you may feel a little intimidated. You may be concerned about what you need to do to prepare if you have made an appointment with an estate planning attorney. To help put you at ease, and to make the most out of your appointment, here are some considerations to assist you in preparing for your appointment. Things to Consider When Creating Your Plan Whether you have made an appointment … [Read more...] about Creating Your First Estate Plan – Preparing for Your Appointment
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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?
Helping Your Parents Age
Watching a parent go through the physical and mental deterioration that accompanies the natural aging process can be extremely difficult. As an adult child, you want to do something to help. Knowing what to do and when to do it can be difficult to determine. Here are some suggestions that may hep guide you as you help your parents age. Topics for Discussion As you help your parents through the aging process, you may wish to keep the following topics in mind and discuss some, or all, of … [Read more...] about Helping Your Parents Age
Generational Wealth is Key to Leveling the Playing Field
Generational wealth is wealth earned by one generation and passed on to the next. Generational wealth is key to allowing the next generation to be free from the burden of having to live hand-to-mouth and allows them to pursue an education and build a career or business to build a better life for themselves. My friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, shares his insights. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Generational Wealth is Key to Leveling the Playing Field
Chadwick Boseman Demonstrates the Importance of Planning
Chadwick Boseman played many heroic American roles and the superhero role of the Black Panther. His death at age 43 demonstrated how it’s important to have at least a basic estate plan in place even if you’re young. See the attached discussion by my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Chadwick Boseman Demonstrates the Importance of Planning
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
Covid-19 and Your Estate Plan
The COVID-19 crisis has caused many people to realize that life-changing events can happen unexpectedly and turn their lives upside down. The myriad of challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have given many pause to rethink their concerns and priorities. Estate planning is one area that should get attention, and possibly revision, as a result of the impact of current events . Here are some things to consider as you review your existing plan. Are all your estate planning documents up … [Read more...] about Covid-19 and Your Estate Plan
Will Your Estate Plan Still Work If You Move?
Before the pandemic, Americans were more mobile than ever. The pandemic has only increased the number of persons relocating for a variety of reasons. When you move, you have to change your address, your voter registration, and all sorts of other things. But, do you need to revise your estate planning documents? Like with many things in law, it depends on your situation. Attached is some insight from my friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Will Your Estate Plan Still Work If You Move?
Staying Current is Especially Important in the Pandemic
A Health Care Power of Attorney appoints someone to make decisions for you if you’re not able to do so for yourself. An Advance Directive expresses your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to have them up-to-date. My friend and colleague Steve Hartnett, an estate planning expert, offers the following timely advice. Read on to learn more. … [Read more...] about Staying Current is Especially Important in the Pandemic
What Is a HIPAA Release?
The acronym HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. In this post, we will explain why this piece of legislation is something to take into consideration when you are planning your estate. Advance Directives for Health Care Everyone is well aware of the fact that you have to facilitate postmortem asset transfers when you put your estate plan in place. A lot of people think this is the long and short of it, but a proper estate plan will also address … [Read more...] about What Is a HIPAA Release?
