ARTICLES

Where Do I Store My Legal Documents?

Where Do I Store My Legal Documents?

When thinking about where to store your important legal documents, a lot of people’s first thoughts are, “I’ll put them in my safe deposit box!” Though that is a good place to safely store some items, safe deposit boxes are not usually a good place for your legal documents. Safe deposit boxes are only accessible...
It’s That Time of Year – Medicare Open Enrollment

It’s That Time of Year – Medicare Open Enrollment

Whether you are new to Medicare or have received benefits before, it is important to understand and take advantage of the Open Enrollment period to make changes for your 2022 coverage. If you are already enrolled in Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D and do not want to make any changes...
7 Reasons to Update Your Estate Plan

7 Reasons to Update Your Estate Plan

We sometimes view estate planning as a one and done proposition.  Keep in mind, our lives change and so must our plans. If it has been several years or more since you have signed your estate planning documents, then it is possible that the plan won’t achieve your goals.  Periodically reviewing your plan with an...
Should I Disinherit My Child?

Should I Disinherit My Child?

In most families, parents choose to leave their estate equally to their children. But sometimes, parents intentionally choose to disinherit a child and cut them out of their estate completely. You may have, what you believe to be legitimate reason to do this: one child is more financially successful than the others; not wanting a...
Why Do Trusts Sometimes Fail?

Why Do Trusts Sometimes Fail?

Trusts can be great estate planning tools to protect assets, avoiding probate, saving legal costs and a whole host of other reasons.  But did you know many Trusts fail?  This is probably not something you want to hear after the time, effort, and expense you put into creating the Trust.  But it’s true.  Trusts can...
When a Parent has Alzheimer’s – Part 1: When Signs First Appear

When a Parent has Alzheimer’s – Part 1: When Signs First Appear

Imagine for a moment a parent who has cared for you, was the best teacher you ever had in life, was an example as to how to be a spouse/parent to your own family, was self-reliant and never asked for any help.  Today she cannot take care of herself or even recognize who you are. ...
Financial Abuse of Aging Individuals

Financial Abuse of Aging Individuals

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th, so let’s talk about financial abuse against aging individuals – an issue that costs this population billions of dollars every year. Common types of Scams Targeting the Aging Population Technical Scams Along with the pandemic and resulting quarantine, members of our aging population have been isolated more...
Estate Planning After Divorce

Estate Planning After Divorce

As they say, if there is one thing that is constant in life, it is change. Whether your marriage was short term or long-term, anyone who has been divorced or is in the process of going through a divorce, will tell you is a time of immense change.  It is imperative that your estate plan...
Make MultiGenerational Living a Success for Your Family

In this webinar, recorded on July 28, 2020, Nurse Attorney Cathleen Summers and Attorney Phil Summers discuss the commonly asked legal questions regarding aging parents moving in with their adult child or having an adult child move in with the aging parents. In order for you to easily access the information contained in this video,...

Advocating for a Loved One in a Hospital or Nursing Home

In this video webinar, Nurse Attorney Cathleen Summers discusses how to effectively advocate for a loved one who is hospitalized. Cathleen covers the basics from what estate planning documents should be in place and how to know what your loved one’s wishes are, to more in-depth information regarding effective communication with health care providers, and...

Musings from a Reformed Hugger

How Coronavirus has changed the way we say “hello” I’m a hugger, there is just no getting around it.  When I meet someone I know, my first inclination is to give them a hug.  It’s my way of saying how happy I am to see the person and to convey the message that they are...