You have the right to decide what kind of medical treatment you would want to receive from doctors and health-care providers. If you can speak up at the time, you can express your wishes yourself. But if you become incapable…
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently sent a proposal to the administration's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that news reports describe as making it harder for older workers to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. After a review…
Reviewing your estate planning documents on a regular basis help to make sure they’re still good, especially with big life changes like births, marriages, divorces, and moving to another state. Children grow up, marriages dissolve, property gets sold, residences change.…
A living will defines your preferences regarding life-sustaining medical treatment. It is often accompanied by a health-care proxy or power of attorney, which allows someone to make treatment decisions for you if you are incapacitated and the living will does…
Aging Americans face an escalating crisis regarding long-term care (LTC). Industry driven, massively underpriced policies are playing fiscal catch up with hefty premium rate increases. This price increase is forcing some aging Americans to abandon their policy while others struggle…
An elder law attorney or certified elder law attorney (CELA) specializes as a legal advocate for aging adults and their loved ones. Elder law encompasses a wide range of legal matters affecting an older or disabled person. Issues related to…
The coronavirus pandemic creates risk scenarios for Americans beyond becoming infected with COVID-19. If you are close to retirement age and recently lost your job, there is a good chance you may not find work again. The Great Recession (2007-2009)…
You may be asked to be power of attorney for a family member or close friend. Your person may be planning for when they might become unable to take care of their affairs. For example, they might become disabled or…
An inheritance can be the source of costly mistakes related to Medicaid which should be avoided. When a person is drawing Medicaid benefits and inherits money or property, that inheritance jeopardizes the benefits. The inheritance must be handled carefully to…
What is a guardianship? A guardianship is usually defined as a protective legal proceeding for someone who is incapacitated and unable to manage his/her own affairs. Incapacitated means that the elder is no longer able to receive and evaluate information…