Financial elder abuse is becoming much too common. These days, the internet, email, and cell phones make it all too easy for criminals to scam elderly, unsuspecting people. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that seniors lose an estimated $2.9 billion annually...
Elder Law
Tips for choosing the right nursing home
Your elderly relatives have most likely shaped the person you are today. They cared for you when you were small, steered you on the right path and made sure that you never went without. For these reasons, it can be difficult to see your loved one start to lose grasp...
3 reasons older adults may need to move into nursing homes
The amount that you save for retirement is probably a reflection of your circumstances and your lifestyle. There are also some family expectations that influence your plans. Many older adults want to live with their family members if they can no longer manage an...
A guardianship can ensure that a loved one gets proper health care
Many adult children seek guardianship of their elderly parents. Courts generally allow these to be set up in instances where it's clear that the parent is no longer able to make decisions that are in their best interests. One situation that may warrant petitioning the...
Why use a legal power of attorney?
A medical power of attorney i(POA) s an estate planning document that basically gives someone else the ability to make your decisions for medical care and treatment. You do not give this right over instantly, just by drafting the document. Instead, you set up...
What is spousal impoverishment protection?
As a married couple, you may have spent a lifetime doing everything together. However, there may come the point when this is no longer possible because one of you needs to go into long-term care. When this happens, it can place a considerable strain on your finances....
Asset protection planning secures your legacy from creditors
When you die, your family will have to settle all of your accounts and pay off your debts before they get to enjoy the assets you bequeath to them. The executor for your estate has a legal obligation to handle your debt before they distribute property to anyone else....
How New Jersey’s Medicaid recovery system affects your estate
If you reach a point in your life where you need Medicaid benefits in order to obtain care for yourself, your financial circumstances will affect your ability to qualify. For most adults, it is necessary to diminish their personal assets almost completely before the...
How important is a health care proxy, and what does it do?
As you start planning for your end-of-life care or for emergencies that may arise, something you’ll want to add to your estate plan is a health care proxy. A health care proxy is a document that gives you the ability to appoint another person to make decisions about...
How a trust can help you protect your family home later in life
For many families, their home is the most valuable asset. That means you have an interest in protecting your house regardless of what else happens in your life and likely have a desire to pass it on to someone specific when you die. Whether you want to ensure that...