Most older adults realize the importance of estate planning. Yet, nearly half of Americans age 55 or more are lacking a will, have no designated powers of attorney, and have not composed a living will, or health care directives. These…
An executor named in a will is required to make public the date of death of the testator, usually by publishing it in a local newspaper. In part, this information serves as notice to creditors if the decedent has an outstanding…
Probate, or the process of processing a decedent's will, is conducted by judicial officials including probate judges. While state probate laws may vary, the general process is quite similar across the country. Probate is the process of proving wills for decedents’.…
When you lose a spouse or a long-time partner, it is difficult to work through your grief to make decisions about your finances and your estate plan. However, these decisions should be made as soon as possible. In truth, estate…
To receive federal assistance through the Medicaid program for nursing home care, assisted living, in-home care, or adult foster care, individuals must meet the threshold requirements of limited income and assets. Because of these rules, many candidates give away their…
The right blend of professionals helping create your estate plan can provide you with the best advice and legal documentation to protect your legacy. Aside from an estate planning attorney, who often specializes in elder law, you may need the…
Who are we and what do we do? Larson and Brown are four estate planning attorneys in Wichita, Kansas, with 60 years of combined experience. Our firm has been around for 35 years dealing with clients who need wills, revocable…
Third-party scammers exploit the good intentions of people who want to believe they are donating to a charitable cause. Older adults trying to figure out what is real may become overwhelmed by the constant influx of electronic mail, fake mirror websites, fake GoFundMe pages,…
Creating a comprehensive estate plan is the first step in preparing a successful transfer of wealth to your loved ones. However, many of us often overlook the crucial part of communicating our estate plan to family and heirs. Even with…
In the United States, Medicaid assists low-income seniors with limited income and assets to pay for healthcare. Many seniors believe that the only way to qualify is to "spend down" their assets. While this is true in some cases, proactive…