Business You Need To Know When a Family Member Dies
When you are dealing with illness and grief the chances are that you may not be able to pull together what to do when your husband, wife, parent or sibling dies. You might look for a Will or the location of bank accounts but decisions likely pass in a blur. This column is to help […]
Continue readingWhy We Make Wrong Long Term Care Decisions
Long term care can be confusing and frightening. It can help to know why and when some commonly held ideas are wrong and when to go for more information. Here are some misconceptions that need correction and redirection. I can stay home no matter how sick I am and people will come in. It will […]
Continue readingWhen Should You Stop Managing Your Own Money
A recent article appearing in Next Avenue, www.nextavenue.org, a trendy new website for seniors, reprinted with permission an article from MarketWatch.com, and addressed a common question with no easy answer – how do you handle your finances as you age? The article, titled “At What Age Are You Too Old to Manage Your Money?” raises […]
Continue readingShould You Move Or Stay? – Questions to Consider
As we welcome the New Year, you might be thinking it is time to ditch the old house and move on for 2018. If you lived in your home for a long time and raised your children there you might consider the upkeep now of a larger property to be too much. On the other […]
Continue readingCreative Ways to Gift to Children and Spouses
Christmas holiday time is one when most of us think of gift giving. There are ways, longer range, to consider gifts to family and friends. Most clients know when planning their Wills who they want to name as their primary or most important beneficiary. They do struggle, though, sometimes for years, as to how to […]
Continue readingTax Reform – How It Would Affect You
As year 2017 comes to a close either the U.S. Congress will pass tax reform or it will not. The conclusion at the time of this writing is yet unknown. Congressional Republicans expect to act by Christmas and, if the proposed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act does not pass before the end of the year, […]
Continue readingRetire Without A Mortgage
Other than health care, one of the most substantial drains on retirement funds can be an outstanding mortgage. Years ago when homes were less expensive and older adults rarely moved, mortgage issues were less common. Today, mortgage debt among retirees seems more likely than in the past. Here are some plans, some of which take […]
Continue readingWhy Obamacare Is So Hard To Replace Part 2
Earlier this year, February 21, 2017, I wrote a column titled “Why Obamacare Is So Hard To Replace.” As most everyone knows, the various attempts of the Republican House of Representative and Senate to pass alternative health care plans to replace Obamacare failed thereafter as every Democrat and some Republicans voted against them. Now as […]
Continue readingCan Children Be Responsible For Their Parents’ Bills
When parents enter a nursing home or assisted living, adult children are often confused regarding their responsibilities. Does it matter whether one of them signs Dad in and is considered a “responsible party?” How about signing as “indemnitor?” Is it safe to be agent under power of attorney and does biological relationship alone bring with […]
Continue readingAre Inheritances Protected And Other Medicaid Myths
Suppose you are married and inherited a substantial sum from Aunt Jane that you dutifully placed in a separate account in your name only. Your husband (or wife) has become chronically ill and you believe that eventually he/she will need to receive Medicaid benefits either in a nursing home or at home under the Medicaid […]
Continue readingShort Term Care Insurance Fills Some Long Term Needs
So, let’s assume that you are 69 or 70 years old. You always intended to buy long term care insurance but figure now that ship has sailed. You are too old, you think, or maybe it will be too expensive now. You have a few minor health issues and do not know whether you will […]
Continue readingIt Is Medicare Open Enrollment Time Again
It is Medicare Open Enrollment time again and that means time for another refresher on what that expression means. If you are age 65 or over you are probably by now being bombarded with mail urging you to purchase a plan. It is important to know the facts behind the glossy brochures and whether you […]
Continue readingHow To Transition a Family Business
While family business owners often want to pass on their business to the next generation or, at least, to sell it for a handsome price to a willing, motivated and competent buyer, the reality is that it is not easy to transfer a business to the next generation or, for that matter, to another corporation […]
Continue readingWhat Happens to Your Debts When You Die
You might have sizeable debt when you die or you might be totally debt free. In either case your heirs and the Executor of your Will need to know what to do. Here are some guidelines to help. Your debts do not die with you. We all might wish that our credit card debt or […]
Continue readingIs It Realistic to Stay At Home Indefinitely?
When healthy adults are asked would they rather stay home or move to a nursing home, the answer is obvious. When residents of facilities are asked if they would like to come home, the answer is typically the same. Studies demonstrate that most people would rather stay home and “age in place.” The exceptions I […]
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