The estate plan or will that someone leaves behind when they die should be a reflection of their wishes and relationships. People often invest much personal effort into the creation of an estate plan that leaves something meaningful for each of their loved ones. ...
Do children conceived after the death of a parent have inheritance rights?
Reproductive technology has come a long way. The things doctors are able to do are simply amazing. One of those things is to take genetic material from parents and create children outside of the body. This opens the door for some tricky situations after one of those...
What do monthly nursing home fees cover?
If you have an elderly parent who requires in-depth care or supervision, placing your mother or father in a nursing home may be advisable. After all, you may lack the skills, time and money to do the task without professional assistance. The average daily rate for a...
4 potential benefits of a revocable trust
A revocable trust is a legal instrument that can dictate how a person’s property is managed and distributed during their lifetime or after they have passed away. As with the majority of legal tools, there are both positive and negative aspects to a revocable living...
What do you know about discussing your end-of-life desires?
While you understand the importance of planning your estate and drafting all the documents, you may struggle to discuss your end-of-life desires openly. How do you bring up the matter with your family and friends? AARP offers tips for sharing your estate plans with...
Are Medicaid trusts a good idea?
You and your spouse have been discussing your estate. You both have health issues. If you don’t take care of your health, you could lose your life savings. If you were able to qualify for Medicaid without spending everything you own, this could be a solution for you....
What can a trust accomplish that a will cannot?
When you work on your New York estate plan, you may find that different estate planning tools and options help you accomplish a wide range of goals. While a will is an undeniably important part of any estate plan, there are some things you may want to do that a will...
Supporting an elder relative with the estate planning process
It is not always easy to approach elderly relatives about their estate planning needs. However, it is a discussion that needs to be had. Failing to capture a person’s final wishes regarding their estate can have lasting consequences on the family. How you approach...
What are bedsores?
When you leave your loved one in an elder care facility, you would hope that means they will get the best possible care and attention. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. But sometimes, it is hard to pinpoint when, if and how your loved one might have faced...
3 kinds of fraud that could affect someone’s will
Fraud is one of a handful of reasons that you might be able to challenge a loved one's estate plan or will. Fraud involves willful misrepresentation or deceit, usually with the desire for personal benefit. Fraud involving estate documents may involve tricking the...
What seniors should know about Medicaid denial
Since its onset, Medicaid has been helping seniors who cannot afford to pay for their health care. It is one of the most important programs that the U.S. government provides. Despite the many benefits of Medicaid, denials have become a common occurrence among the...
Pre-bankruptcy Detective Work Prevents Disaster
Hidden trap averted by thorough preparation.
Elders face risks of abuse, but families may help safeguard them
Elderly residents living alone with poor health conditions face higher risks of abuse. According to a Cornell University study, greater than one out of 10 of New York state's older residents may experience mistreatment over the next 10 years. Researchers also noted...
How to pick the right power of attorney
You have a few options when choosing a power of attorney. You can choose a financial power of attorney if you want someone to handle your taxes, debts and bills near the end of your life. You can also choose a medical power of attorney if you want someone else to be...
When should you change your health care proxy?
Even if you have enjoyed good health throughout most or all of your life, you may eventually become incapable of communicating your health care wishes to doctors and other caregivers. According to the New York State Department of Health, your incapacitation may be due...
