If you have decided that you would like to discuss the future with an elder care attorney, you would do well to make some preparations in advance. In this post we will look at a few of the questions that you may want to ask your elder care attorney. 1.) How do I prepare for long-term care expenses? According to statistics that have been compiled by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, a majority of senior citizens are going to need assistance with their day-to-day … [Read more...] about What Questions Should I Ask an Elder Care Attorney?
Looking for Signs of Encroaching Incapacity
When you are younger, your parents are in charge of making sure that you are okay in every way. Role reversals can be difficult for everyone. However, when your parents start to reach an advanced age, you should be aware of signs that would indicate encroaching incapacity. If you are fortunate enough to have your parents residing close by, you are probably in very frequent contact. Under these circumstances, you would naturally recognize any signs of incapacity that may become … [Read more...] about Looking for Signs of Encroaching Incapacity
Incapacity Planning in San Jose: Who Manages My Property if I Become Incapacitated?
As San Jose CA elder care attorneys, we make a point of emphasizing the importance of incapacity planning. This is because so many people fail to plan ahead for this contingency. A lot of people fail to plan ahead for possible incapacity because they think that it is something that only happens to "the other guy." In reality, every man and woman should take the matter seriously, because incapacity strikes a very high percentage of our nation's elders. People become unable to handle their own … [Read more...] about Incapacity Planning in San Jose: Who Manages My Property if I Become Incapacitated?
What Are the Advantages of a California Durable Power of Attorney?
When you hear mention of a power of attorney, you may feel as though it is not something that you would need as part of your estate plan. Most people are aware of the fact that in a general sense a power of attorney is used to allow someone to act on your behalf in a legally binding manner. However, powers of attorney are in fact going to play a role in your estate plan if you want to be comprehensively prepared for the future. It's not all about arranging for the transfer of your … [Read more...] about What Are the Advantages of a California Durable Power of Attorney?
Durable Property Powers of Attorney (An Elder Law Today Blog)
What is a durable property power of attorney? A durable property power of attorney is a legal document where one person (the principal) authorizes another (the agent) to act on the principal’s behalf regarding financial decisions. It is an estate planning document which allows a person to plan for the care and control of property in the event he or she becomes incapacitated. Powers of attorney are the single most important documents to put in place so that a family member or trusted friend will … [Read more...] about Durable Property Powers of Attorney (An Elder Law Today Blog)
Should I Have a California Durable Power of Attorney?
California elder care attorneys are responsible for educating clients about the eventualities of aging. One issue that is important to understand is that of Alzheimer's disease. You would have to assume that just about everyone has heard of the disease, but some of the details probably will come as a surprise to many. This is not something that rarely strikes a small percentage of people. If you're interested in learning about Alzheimer's disease in a good bit of detail, a valuable resource to … [Read more...] about Should I Have a California Durable Power of Attorney?
Attention to Detail Is Key When Planning Estate
There are a plethora of details to attend to when you are planning your estate if you want to be comprehensively and effectively prepared. Simply looking for the easy way out is a recipe for disaster. Speaking of easy ways out that can yield disastrous results, you would do well to take pause before trying to construct a last will using an online tool. Experts have weighed in on the subject, and unintended consequences can result when you try to go this route. Additionally, as a layperson are … [Read more...] about Attention to Detail Is Key When Planning Estate
Living Will Statistics Come As No Surprise
As disheartening as it may be, statistics consistently indicate that a majority of Americans are not prepared from an estate planning perspective. Given this reality, recent statistics regarding the percentage of people that have a living will in place unfortunately come as no surprise to estate planners. A popular legal website conducted the survey, and it found that just over 60% of the respondents did not have a living will in place. Unlike a last will, a living will is not used to state … [Read more...] about Living Will Statistics Come As No Surprise
The Estate Tax Is Only Part of the Equation
Some people think that the only reason that you would want to speak with an estate planning attorney would be to take steps to gain estate tax efficiency. They find out that the estate tax exclusion is a relatively high $5.34 million in 2014. Their assets don't exceed this amount, so they decide that they don't need to speak with an attorney. The truth is that the estate tax is only part of the equation. There are a number of other considerations, and it is certainly wise to go forward in an … [Read more...] about The Estate Tax Is Only Part of the Equation
Advance Directives: Selecting a Medical Decision Maker
Advance directives for health care are important when you are making preparations for the latter stages of your life. In many instances, people become unable to communicate before they pass away. Medical decisions may present themselves while you are in such a condition. The purpose behind advance directives is to state your preferences regarding medical procedures as you also name someone to make decisions on your behalf if it becomes necessary. To record your preferences regarding the use of … [Read more...] about Advance Directives: Selecting a Medical Decision Maker
