There are many do-it-yourself projects that you may be able to take on successfully. Depending on your interests and your abilities, going the DIY route can actually be enjoyable as you spend time constructively. And of course, doing things for yourself can sometimes save you money. Of course, there are some things that are better left up to the experts. Estate planning would fall into this category. There are no shortage of websites on the Internet offering do-it-yourself legal documents. … [Read more...] about Our Report Examines DIY Wills
Be One of the “Lucky Ones”
When you look around as a working person who has seen his or her 70th birthday come and go you may view people who are your age who have retired as "lucky." There are indeed some senior citizens who have won lottery prizes, and perhaps there are those who have hit it big on the beach with their metal detectors. However, most people who are comfortable enough financially to enjoy their retirement years were by no means lucky. The difference between those who can retire with some modicum of … [Read more...] about Be One of the “Lucky Ones”
Senior Drivers Face Challenges
In our modern society driving is inherently necessary for many individuals. Of course, it is possible to use public transportation if you live in some areas, but when you become a senior citizen mobility and safety can be issues that come into play. So, it is difficult to advise an elder to start riding a bike or taking the bus. However, all of this results in a classic Catch-22. The fact is that your ability to drive safely will often wane as you start to reach an advanced age. In … [Read more...] about Senior Drivers Face Challenges
Pet Planning: Get All the Facts
Our pets are members of the family, and estate planning is all about making sure that your family is provided for in the event of your passing. Therefore, pet planning is part of the equation if you want to be comprehensively prepared for the future. Exactly how do you go about planning for a pet? Pets are notoriously poor money managers, and it's hard to determine exactly how much to leave behind for the pet's care if you were to find a caretaker and leave this individual a direct … [Read more...] about Pet Planning: Get All the Facts
Lengthy Probate Process Expected in Gibb Case
When you read about celebrity estate planning cases you can sometimes take away some instructive lessons. With this in mind, we would like to take a look at the limited but interesting information that has been made available about the Robin Gibb estate. Gibb was a singer with the popular group the Bee Gees. The group sold millions of records over a number of decades, and as a result Robin Gibb passed away with a considerable amount of wealth. According to the Daily Mail, the Gibb estate is … [Read more...] about Lengthy Probate Process Expected in Gibb Case
MetLife Releases Fresh Long-Term Care Statistics
As we start to reach the end of 2012, some much-anticipated annual statistics relevant to the elder law community are becoming available. We can now pass along the news about the release of the brand-new MetLife Mature Market Institute survey that provides a look at the current state of long-term care costs. Experts have stated that these costs are expected to continue to rise, and this year's survey corroborates that assessment. Nationally, the average cost for a private room in a nursing … [Read more...] about MetLife Releases Fresh Long-Term Care Statistics
Free California Living Trust Report Now Available
There is a lot of questionable information that circulates on the Internet about estate planning, and certain misconceptions can arise. We have noticed that this is especially true when it comes to living trusts. As a response, we have created an informative report to share with you, free of charge. To download your free report, follow this link and complete the brief form that you see off to the right so we can send you access to the information: California Living Trust Report One of the … [Read more...] about Free California Living Trust Report Now Available
Nursing Home Contracts: Proceed With Caution
It is always a good idea to consult with a local San Jose elder law attorney before you enter into a contract with a nursing home. This is not to imply that there is generally any unscrupulous intent. It is simply a matter of knowing exactly what you are signing. With the above in mind, there was recently a relevant court case (Cook Willow Health Center v. Judy Andrien) decided in the state of Connecticut. A nursing home was seeking compensation for an unpaid balance, and they cited an … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Contracts: Proceed With Caution
Healthy Seniors, Don’t Overlook Potential Assisted Living Expenses
When you feel completely healthy, you may have a hard time wrapping your head around the possibility of not being in the same condition at some point in the future. This can enter into the equation when you are planning ahead for your retirement years and the twilight years that inevitably follow. Those who have lived healthy lifestyles may assume that they are never going to need living assistance. After all, when you make the right choices over a number of decades, you should receive some … [Read more...] about Healthy Seniors, Don’t Overlook Potential Assisted Living Expenses
Estate Planning Information for Grandparents
Grandparents who want to provide for their grandchildren and are in possession of resources that exceed the unified gift/estate tax exclusion amount have some options. One possibility would be to start a trust for the benefit of a grandchild. If you want to set aside resources without being subject to the gift tax, you could give gifts in trust equaling as much as $13,000 per year without incurring any gift tax liability. An option that is available to you if you have minor grandchildren would … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Information for Grandparents
