Man in light blue shirt clutches his head and fist in frustration as he sits at a table with a laptop and papers in front of him.

A Useless Power of Attorney: Avoid Free Legal Documents

A power of attorney designates a trusted individual to make decisions or conduct transactions on your behalf. They could be related to personal finances, business operations, or medical needs and used for a single immediate purpose or an ongoing situation.

Do Personal Injury Settlements Affect SSI or SSDI Benefits?

The answer to how personal injury settlements affect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits depends on your specific situation. However, there is a general answer: SSDI – No, your settlement does not affect SSDI benefit payments. SSI...

Medicaid Spend Down: Pay for More Than Just Medical Bills

April 18, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog

Since the 1960s, Medicaid has provided health care coverage for low-income people across the United States. For millions of seniors, Medicaid offers financial assistance, helping them to cover the cost of long-term care services. Today, this joint federal-state program also benefits...

A Seniors Guide to Estate Planning

April 11, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

Most older adults acknowledge that estate planning is essential. Yet, nearly half of Americans age 55 or older do not have a will, and even fewer have designated powers of attorney, a living will, or health care directives. These legal...

Lifetime Money Management for Children With Disabilities

Children with disabilities present a unique challenge for parents who are looking to engage in estate planning. For one, you will want to optimize your estate to use, enhance, and enrich assets for your child. At the same time, maintaining...

Medicaid Planning Protects Your Home

March 28, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Your most valuable property may be your home, which is true for many people. You likely want your children to inherit that value when you pass away. However, you may also have concerns about planning for the future, especially if...

Reducing the Risk of a Family Fight in Probate Court

March 21, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

Many family circumstances can increase the risk of probate litigation. High-risk factors that often bring about probate litigation can include sibling rivalry, second marriages without a prenuptial agreement, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Also, a non-standard estate plan may treat children...

Choosing Trustees for Special Needs Trusts: 5 Considerations

March 14, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Special Needs Planning

Choosing the right person to serve as trustee of a special needs trust (SNT) is a key task when creating such a trust. It may also prove to be one of the most challenging. Trustees are responsible for the following: managing...

States With the Highest and Lowest Assisted Living Costs

March 7, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living

Today, 58 million adults in the United States are 65 and older. Seniors make up more than 17 percent of the American population. The U.S. Census Bureau expects this number to reach 83.7 million by 2050. Meanwhile, one in every...

What to Know About Creating a Living Will

February 29, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration, Wills & Trusts

Creating a living will ensures your future healthcare decisions and plans are respected. A living will, or advance directive, is a legal document outlining medical treatment preferences and end-of-life care if you can’t communicate or make decisions for yourself. Everyone...