As elder law attorneys, we are forced to broach difficult subjects. One of them is the possibility of incapacity late in your life. Once you reach your mid-60s, according to the statistics, it is likely that you will live well into your 80s. When you reach an advanced age, incapacity is a very real threat. Everyone is aware of the existence of Alzheimer’s disease, but most people are bit surprised when they find out how common it has become. The Alzheimer’s Association is a good source of … [Read more...] about Is There a Way to Prevent a Guardianship?
incapacity planning
Why Is a Power of Attorney Part of an Estate Plan?
Most people are aware of the fact that a power of attorney is a document that you can use to give someone else the power to act on your behalf in a legally binding manner. On the surface, it may seem as though a power of attorney would have no place in an estate plan, but this is really not the case. A well-constructed estate plan will center around the events that will take place after your passing, and the facilitation of asset distributions will be at the core. This being stated, it is … [Read more...] about Why Is a Power of Attorney Part of an Estate Plan?
Effective Planning in Light of Dementia Threat
As elder law attorneys, we focus on the legal needs of the senior community. We help clients understand some of the eventualities that they may face during the latter stages of their lives. It is important to address some inconvenient truths that can be difficult to accept. Life Expectancy When you think about your senior years, you probably envision the period that will immediately follow your working career. At that point, you can travel, engage in leisure activities, and enjoy your spare … [Read more...] about Effective Planning in Light of Dementia Threat
COVID-19 Shows the Importance of Estate Planning
Everything has changed since the coronavirus has become part of our lives, and it has taught us some important lessons. One of them is the stark realization that life-threatening circumstances can present themselves when you least expect it. Caring.com is a popular website that keeps a finger on the pulse of the estate planning preparedness of American adults. They have released their survey results for 2020 alongside the 2019 data in an effort to draw comparisons. The results are not very … [Read more...] about COVID-19 Shows the Importance of Estate Planning
Estate Planning: Attend to the Details
You should consider the finer details when you are engaged in the process of estate planning, but unfortunately, some of them are often overlooked. In this post, we will look a little bit beneath the surface to provide some insight. Life Insurance Life insurance is going to be a part of most estate plans. It can serve as a safety net that will provide income replacement for your loved ones if you were to pass away before your time. It is important to evaluate your family’s financial … [Read more...] about Estate Planning: Attend to the Details
Fraud Case Has Elder Law/Estate Planning Implications
Sometimes a glaring real life example can get your attention more than any advice that you can be given by a professional. This can enter into the realm of estate planning and elder law from time to time, and there has been a news story circulating recently that fits the bill. In August of 2018, a successful business person from Tampa, Florida named Richard Rappaport got married to Lin Helena Halfon. On the surface, there is nothing to see here, but it gets more interesting when you learn … [Read more...] about Fraud Case Has Elder Law/Estate Planning Implications
Connect With the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
Our law firm is devoted to estate planning and elder law matters, and we have an office in Essex Junction, Vermont. It is truly a fantastic place to call home, and the area provides residents with the best of all possible worlds. Perhaps the best thing about the city is the fact that it is a close-knit community, and locals genuinely care about one another. There are resources that people can tap into when they need assistance with all different types of challenges, and one of them applies to … [Read more...] about Connect With the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
Face Elder Financial Abuse Head On
One of the most pressing elder law issues at the current time is that of elder financial abuse. It can be hard to imagine a time when you would be able to keep tabs on your affairs and detect threats, but things can change when you get older. Clearly, this is not a very pleasant subject to contemplate, but it is wise to meet it head on so that you can take the right steps to protect yourself. Even if you are always safe and sound on this level, there is nothing lost if you put the necessary … [Read more...] about Face Elder Financial Abuse Head On
Your Estate Plan Should Be Custom Crafted
The ideal estate plan will include documents that are created as a response to the specific circumstances that exist. You have many different options, and you should act in a fully informed manner. An estate planning document that is appropriate for one person may not be necessary for the next. For example, high net worth individuals who are exposed to the federal estate tax would want to implement estate tax efficiency strategies. The tax comes into play if you are transferring more than the … [Read more...] about Your Estate Plan Should Be Custom Crafted
Census Report: Burlington Senior Population Exceeds National Average
As elder law attorneys, we are very significantly impacted by an emerging demographic phenomenon. During the years after World War II, there were an inordinate number of babies born in the United States. These are the baby boomers, and over recent years, they have started to reach their senior years. Because of this, there is a rapidly aging of the population underway. Across the country, seniors comprise about 14 percent of the population. Here in the Burlington area, it is 16.4 percent … [Read more...] about Census Report: Burlington Senior Population Exceeds National Average
