At different times of the year, most of us associate those static goings-on with important reminders of other things we need to do. When the time changes twice a year, we’re often prompted to change the batteries in our smoke alarms. Before vacation every year, we typically have our tires rotated and allow our trusted mechanic to give the loyal motorized vehicle the once-over and when December rolls around, it’s just natural for many of us to consider the plights of others. We typically make our … [Read more...] about Gifting Assets in Your Estate Plan
Outrageous: When the Elderly Can’t Afford to Retire
As estate planning attorneys who assist our clients with their retirement goals and Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security needs, it’s easy to get lost in that vacuum. But a recent story in Harper’s magazine is enough to jar anyone into the “here and now”. Freelance journalist and adjunct professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Jessica Bruder, has just blown the lid off of what she calls the “elderly migrant worker”. When the elderly can’t afford to retire, they often find … [Read more...] about Outrageous: When the Elderly Can’t Afford to Retire
Plain English, Please: Estate Planning Legalese Explained
There’s nothing more frustrating than listening to the pretentiousness of someone attempting to make himself or herself look better, smarter, wiser, etc. Sure, we all love to see it play out on the movie screen, mostly because there’s a bad guy about to get his just desserts. In the real world, though, we meet with clients who want answers – the plain and simple truth about estate planning, wills and trusts. Estate planning legalese works well in law school. In the real world? Not so much. Here … [Read more...] about Plain English, Please: Estate Planning Legalese Explained
Medicare Still Paying for Drugs for the Deceased
The Associated Press calls it a “quirky bureaucratic rule”, others call it wasteful spending and still others say it’s par for the course for a government that has no clue about budgeting resources – and then they use the $18 trillion national debt as proof. It’s all true. Medicare continues to pay for drugs for the deceased, just as it’s done for decades. In November, 2014, the Health and Human Services Department's inspector general released a report that included a Medicare rule that … [Read more...] about Medicare Still Paying for Drugs for the Deceased
Estate Planning Lessons: Celebrity Deaths 2014
Every year, most of us become a bit melancholy as we think back to the highlights and low points the year delivered. Many of us cherish those beautiful moments that life deals us, sometimes unexpectedly, and other moments leave us a bit exhausted or hurt or even embarrassed. As estate planning lawyers, it’s often the stories in the headlines that can help us explain to a client the importance of an estate planning tool or why one particular document serves their purposes better than another. … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Lessons: Celebrity Deaths 2014
Estate Planning When You’re Single in New Hampshire
Estate Planning When You're Single in New Hampshire from Daniel DeBruyckere If you're an adult, there’s a place for proper planning to ensure your assets pass down and your liabilities are addressed. To learn more about Estate Planning in New Hampshire, contact our office today. … [Read more...] about Estate Planning When You’re Single in New Hampshire
Free Report: Can I See Your Will – What You Need To Know About Who Has Access to the Will
Many people wonder if they're allowed to look at the will, maybe they want a copy of it and they may wonder if problems await them as soon as someone else sees the will and determines there's not been a fair distribution of assets. Topics covered in this whitepaper include: Do I Get a Copy of the Will?Access to the WillAccounting Click here to read the whole article or download the PDF. … [Read more...] about Free Report: Can I See Your Will – What You Need To Know About Who Has Access to the Will
Why a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a Must
It’s easy to get lost in the semantics of the various legal documents associated with estate planning. Part of the problem has always been the many names for the same documents. Each state has its own guidelines and names, but regardless of what it’s called, a durable power of attorney for health care is an important document that should be a part of everyone’s estate plan. Don’t assume you won’t need this until you’re older. You never know when an accident or illness will affect your ability … [Read more...] about Why a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a Must
Medicare Paying for Drugs for Deceased
We’ve all heard the many stories of how Medicaid and Medicare are guilty of wasteful spending. The government’s own General Accountability Office (GAO) has long since designated Medicaid as a “high-risk” program. It says it’s “particularly vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse and improper payments”. Even the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, reports an improper payment rate of nearly 10 percent. If you’re wondering what that equates to across the nation, it adds up to a cool $40 … [Read more...] about Medicare Paying for Drugs for Deceased
Free Report: The Needs of Families With Special Needs Children
Our children have all of the advantages that will put them in the best place for success throughout their lives. For some parents, though, their concerns go past that. They worry about what will happen to their special needs child after they’re gone. Topics covered in this report include: Planning is Key for Families with Special NeedsYour legal advocate can help in a number of ways Click here to read the whole article or download the PDF. … [Read more...] about Free Report: The Needs of Families With Special Needs Children
