Blended Families and Wills in Estate Planning

August 15, 2024
Brian Hicks
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Wills & Trusts

Today, 16 percent of children in the United States live in blended families, according to U.S. Census data. This can include those living in households that have a stepparent, stepsibling, or half-sibling. In many cases, stepchildren receive the same treatment as...

Claiming the Guardianship of an Elderly Parent

August 8, 2024
Brian Hicks
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living

Often an aging parent will lose their ability to think clearly or make informed decisions about their life. This may occur because of dementia, mental illness, stroke, brain injury, or other severe health or disability conditions. Your parent may or...

Be Aware of the Dangers of Joint Accounts

Joint bank accounts serve as a useful estate planning tool for passing money to loved ones outside of probate and planning for disability. But while they can achieve these goals, and are useful in certain circumstances, joint accounts also present...

Understanding Medicaid: What Does Medicaid Cover?

July 25, 2024
Brian Hicks
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living

In the complex and frequently changing landscape of health care in the United States, Medicaid stands out as a vital program. Since 1965, it has provided essential coverage to millions of low-income individuals and families. Alongside Medicare, Medicaid serves as...

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...

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...

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,...

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...