Don't Forget the Pets: Including Your Four-Legged Family in Your Estate Plan For most of us, pets are not just animals; they are cherished members of our family. We plan for their care when we go on vacation, but many people overlook one critical question: What happens to my pets if I become incapacitated or pass away? Without a formal, legally binding plan, the future of your beloved companion could be left to Read More
Long Term Care Medicaid Myths
Debunking 4 Common Myths About Long-Term Care Medicaid Misinformation about long-term care Medicaid can lead families to make poor financial decisions when they are most vulnerable. It is a complex system, but understanding the truth behind the common myths is the first step toward effective planning. Let's debunk four of the biggest misconceptions we encounter. Myth #1: "You have to be poor to qualify for Read More
Aging Life Care Professionals
What is an Aging Life Care Professional? As our loved ones age, navigating the complexities of their health, housing, and financial needs can become a significant challenge for families. An Aging Life Care Professional, formerly known as a Geriatric Care Manager, is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for seniors, disabled adults, and their families. These professionals are Read More
Funding Your Trust
The Most Common Mistake in Estate Planning: An Unfunded Trust You’ve met with an attorney, carefully considered your wishes, and signed your new Revocable Living Trust. It’s a comprehensive document, a "magic book" designed to protect your family, avoid probate, and ensure your legacy is handled privately and efficiently. Unfortunately, for many people, the process stops there, and that magic book ends up sitting on Read More
Do It Yourself Estate Planning
The Dangers of DIY Estate Planning From home renovations to crafting, the "do-it-yourself" spirit is everywhere. While tackling a project on your own can be empowering and cost-effective, some things are simply too important to leave to chance. Your estate plan—the legal strategy that protects your family and your life's work—is one of them. Online services and software templates promise a quick and cheap Read More
Social Security COLA Increase and Your VA Aid and Attendance
How the Annual Social Security COLA Can Affect Your VA Pension Each year, the Social Security Administration announces a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) to account for inflation. While this increase in your monthly Social Security check is welcome, it can have an unintended consequence for those receiving a VA Pension with Aid & Attendance: it can trigger a reduction or even termination of your VA Read More
Social Security COLA Increase and your Long Term Care Medicaid
How the Social Security COLA Affects Your Long-Term Care Medicaid Every year, Social Security benefits typically increase with a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). For those receiving Long-Term Care Medicaid in a nursing facility, this extra income directly impacts the amount they are required to pay the facility each month. This payment is known as the Patient Monthly Liability (PML). When you receive your annual Read More
Retirement Accounts
[av_textblock size='' font_color='' color='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-k1m6gvuj' admin_preview_bg=''] How New Laws Changed Inheriting Retirement Accounts Forever For many families, retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s are their largest single asset. How these accounts are passed to the next generation is a critical part of any comprehensive estate plan. Read More
Long Term Care Insurance
Is Long-Term Care Insurance Part of Your Financial Plan? We buy insurance to shift the risk of a catastrophic financial loss. We have it for our homes, our cars, and our health. But one of the most significant financial risks many families will face—the cost of long-term care—is often overlooked. Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance is a specific type of coverage designed to help pay for the assistance you may need with Read More
Fiduciary Defined
What Does It Mean to Be a Fiduciary? If you have been named as an agent under a Power of Attorney or a trustee of a trust as part of a loved one's estate plan, you have been given a significant responsibility. In the eyes of the law, you are now a "fiduciary." But what does that actually mean? A fiduciary is a person who has a legal and ethical duty to act in the best interest of another person. It is the highest Read More
