Recent Blog Posts
Compassion is Key When Talking to Aging Parents
Being a caregiver is one of the most difficult (and rewarding) jobs on the planet; but sometimes when it comes to strong-willed aging parents, getting them to admit they might need a caregiver is more difficult than the caregiving itself. Take the story of David Solie, published recently in the Los Angeles Times; “David… Read More »
Avoid the Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes
In a world where bureaucracy and taxation become more present and complex every year, it has become absolutely necessary for every family to have an estate plan. Not all estate plans are created equal, however, and it takes a little bit of research—or a conversation with the right advisors—to determine which plan will be… Read More »
The Good News and The Bad News About Retirement
The good news is that Americans are living longer, the bad news is that it costs a whole lot more to retire than it used to. But the rising cost of retirement has more to do with just longer life expectancy. As this recent article in the New York Times points out, “Social Security… Read More »
Transfer of Home Ownership Does Not Replace an Estate Plan
Imagine this: You’re retired, your only significant asset is your home, you’re very close to your child or children, and you don’t want the cost of creating an estate plan. In such cases, what’s the harm of simply putting your home in the name of your child to avoid probate and then be done… Read More »
Are You A Caregiver?
Many children of adult parents don’t even realize that they are caregivers. Using our checklist below, answer each question to determine if you are a caregiver: Do you do any of the following on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? Take your parent to doctor’s appointments Help your parent with household chores Call to… Read More »
The High Emotional—And Financial—Cost of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects everybody it touches—husbands, wives, children and grandchildren—they all bear witness to their loved one’s slow demise. Sadly, emotional stress is not the only stress that accompanies Alzheimer’s disease; those loved ones serving as caretakers may carry a huge amount of financial stress as well. The cost of caring… Read More »
How To Pay For Extended Care
Paying out-of-pocket While this option is not feasible for many seniors, some people may be able to pay for long term care using their own assets. This is a good option for wealthy seniors who have plenty of assets. Paying for long-term care from your own resources can save the time and stress associated… Read More »
Will You Need a Probate Attorney?
The subject of probate is one that nobody wants to learn about too early; in fact, most people would probably avoid it altogether if they could. Unfortunately, the probate process can be very confusing and frightening when you are forced to become intimately acquainted with it—especially if you have no prior experience with or… Read More »
Have You Seen This Person?
If you are a Caucasian woman, aged 35 or older, possibly married, very likely working full or part-time—then there is a good chance that you are also (or will soon be) serving as a caregiver for an aging parent or relative. At least this is what a recent report released by the National Alliance… Read More »
How Do You Know If You Need An Estate Plan?
Most people know that they should execute some kind of estate plan eventually, but don’t think that they actually need one right now. On our blog we spend a lot of time telling people that they do need an estate plan, and that they need one right now—or as soon as possible! But it’s… Read More »