Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 13, 2018 |
Even if you don't live close to elder parents you can be of help.
In our ever changing society it is quite possible that children will move far away from their parents. However, that does not mean children who do not live close cannot be of service in caring for their parents, according to ...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 12, 2018 |
Preparing for the tax season is also a good way to organize an estate plan.
Since you have to get all of your financial information for the year sorted out and digested at tax time, you can also benefit from your organizing effort by creating an estate plan, according to Forbes...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 11, 2018 |
You have Social Security and Medicare but what's next?
It might be tempting to stop planning after retirement. However, there is still some planning left to do, according to the Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog in "Post-Retirement Planning: A Checklist for Seniors."
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 10, 2018 |
New Hampshire may put elder abuse cases on the fast track.
While suspected elder abuse is being investigated and going through the legal system, the abuse can continue. However, some New Hampshire legislators are working on solving the problem, according to Seacoast Online in "House bill wo...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 09, 2018 |
Much depends on the state laws and the family situation when it comes to estate planning.
When parents become estranged from their children, they need to know how to handle those children in their estate plans.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 06, 2018 |
It is not the wealthy singles who are most in need of an estate plan.
Most people think protecting their children is more important than money. That's why parents with minor children have more reasons to plan their estates than wealthy single people, according to Volume One in "When There's ...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 05, 2018 |
The idea has only been science fiction so far. However, that may change in the future.
The reproduction of things learned after birth is not likely anytime soon, so an almost identical human genetic clone might be far off.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 04, 2018 |
If a spouse passes away unexpectedly, the financial challenges can make the situation even worse.
If a spouse passes away and they were the one who handled the finances, the widow or widower may face an additional challenge. However, they should not let financial issues bother them too much...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 03, 2018 |
Are one or more of the potential heirs considering or have no interest in the farm? There are three steps.
When a farmer passes away, one, all or none of the children may have an interest in the farm. That makes planning seem difficult. However, in reality there are only three steps to consider...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Apr 02, 2018 |
If you end up needing Medicaid, the government will look closely at your assets.
There are some ways around the problem of having assets and needing Medicaid. An irrevocable trust is one of the answers.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 30, 2018 |
While many digital legal documents have already been created, it seems that wills create a real challenge.
Despite the recent move to create digital legal documents, wills, which by the very nature of the deceased being unable to verify the document in court, have remained on the back bu...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 29, 2018 |
Being an executor is not an easy job and can be quite stressful.
Many people trust one of their own children above all other potential candidates for the responsibilities when considering an executor. However, it is not always a good idea, according to Texas Lawyer in "Mamas, Don't Let Your...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 28, 2018 |
The distribution of real estate can be a good deal or a bad deal.
One way to avoid real estate going through probate is to put someone else's name on the ownership of the asset. However, that almost always comes out badly, according to the Daily Republic in "All Things Real Estate: Living trust...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 27, 2018 |
What you decide to do with retirement accounts, can be a major enhancement to your estate plan.
IRA retirement benefits can be used as a way to balance out other bequests and it can be used to support other estate planning goals. There are also tax implications to consider, according to ...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 26, 2018 |
To Kill a Mockingbird put author in the limelight, but she quickly stepped out of it and has remained out.
When Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, died in 2016 there was considerable publicity as writers attempted to uncover all the details of her life. They met with little success...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 23, 2018 |
Medicaid is a possibility, if retirement money runs out. However, the program is aimed at helping the poor.
When many Americans consider the possibility of long-term care in a nursing home and look to insurance, they find that insurance is often difficult to obtain and afford. Medicaid is a...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 22, 2018 |
Wills and trust often go hand-in-hand, when it comes to estate planning.
Should you decide to use an online service instead of going to an estate planning attorney, you may find yourself with a trust but then learn you also need a will, according to the Lake County News in "The difference...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 21, 2018 |
As size of estates increase, so do the number of challenges. However, success isn't easy to come by.
As the number of wealthy estates increase, both the U.S. and Canada find themselves in challenges brought about by people who believe they didn't get their fair share, according to The Globe...
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 20, 2018 |
Since a plan is required when a Medicare patient leaves a hospital, it is best if the patient and family check into their potential options and the accuracy of information they have received.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 19, 2018 |
Hundreds of scammers face charges of defrauding elderly.
Local law enforcement and elder law attorneys are sympathetic when they hear of scams aimed at the elderly, but they are often unable to do much.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 16, 2018 |
A challenge can be created when one child is responsible, and others aren't.
Varying degrees of financial responsibility by children can be a challenge to creating an estate plan, according to Market Watch in "My son is responsible, my daughter is in debt -- how do I split my estate?"
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 15, 2018 |
You can't necessarily prevent being incapacitated. However, you can make plans, just in case it should occur.
There are no age requirements for disabling accidents or illnesses, so it would be wise for everyone to plan for what would happen if they were to be incapacitated.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 14, 2018 |
Create a second trust and the first is revoked? It doesn't work that way.
A common question was presented to a column about trusts, according to the NWI Times in "Can an individual establish more than one trust?" The question was if a second trust wipes out the first trust.
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 13, 2018 |
New scams continue to increase, as well as old scams.
Among the most common scams aimed at the elderly, involve their grandchildren or the IRS, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune in "As senior population grows, so do scams targeting their money."
Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Mar 12, 2018 |
In trying to avoid probate, people can find themselves getting the opposite results.
Many people do not realize that probate courts handle more things than just wills and can't always be avoided, according to WLTX19 in "Man spends thousands in probate costs to help wife with dementia."