The Loneliness Epidemic: Helping Seniors Stay Connected

In recent years, researchers have been finding potential links between feelings of loneliness and negative health outcomes. Feeling lonely may put you at greater risk of premature death, serious health problems, and higher suicide rates. For many, the COVID-19 pandemic...

How to Get a Death Certificate After a Loved One Dies

July 11, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Probate & Trust Administration

The most recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) indicates more than 3,400,000 deaths in the United States in 2021. When someone dies, the local government issues a formal document known as a death certificate. The death...

How Are Benefits for Disability (SSDI) Calculated?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal public assistance program that seeks to support people with disabilities. When applying for SSDI, many people want to know upfront how much they will be eligible to receive in benefits each month.

What You Should Know About Long-Term Care

June 20, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

Research shows that roughly one in seven adults aged 65 or older will need long-term care at some point in their later years. Meanwhile, tens of millions of Baby Boomers in the United States are growing older and living longer.

5 Ways to Update Your Estate Plan After a “Gray” Divorce

June 13, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Wills & Trusts

Deciding to end a marriage as an older adult is increasingly common. If your marriage ended later in life, you could be part of the “gray” divorce trend. AARP reports that Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are...

Supplemental vs. Special Needs Trusts: Any Difference?

Have you heard the terms “special” needs trust and “supplemental” needs trust and wondered what the difference is? The simple answer is that there’s no difference. Whether supplemental or special, these trusts serve the same purpose of helping meet the needs...

A black phone shows the webpage for Medicaid.gov where the tagline says Keeping America Healthy with an American flag heart outlined by a blue stethoscope.

Undue Hardship and the Medicaid Penalty Period

May 30, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living

If you are planning to apply for Medicaid, you might not realize that you should think twice before transferring any of your assets. If you transfer assets within five years of applying for Medicaid, you could face a penalty period. During...

A ladies hand holds a silver pen in front off an iPad.

Securely Storing Your Legal Documents

Among your key estate planning documents are your will, living wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives. Securing these somewhere your survivors can easily access them is crucial. Consider storing other information, like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and medical records,...

Older gentleman wearing a white hat and black glasses is sitting in a wheelchair at a table. He is being passed a bowl of noodles from a lady.

Food Will No Longer Count as Income for SSI Recipients

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a major change regarding how it calculates In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) for recipients of Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. Beginning later this year, the SSA will no longer count “free food” as...

Healthcare worker in blue and white scrubs places a food tray with cereal and a white coffee mug in front of an older gentleman with silver hair wearing and ivory colored shirt.

Getting Help When Providing Care at Home for Aging Parents

May 9, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

As they grow older, your parents may prefer to continue living in their home rather than moving to a long-term care facility. They are not alone in this; more than three-quarters of adults over the age of 50 say they...