If you are creating an estate plan, you might wonder whether a will or trust is a better choice for leaving assets to your loved ones. The answer is that it depends upon several different factors. Cost and Speed The main question is which approach is less expensive. In some states, the Uniform Probate Code Read more about What Should I Use? – A Will or a Trust?[…]

Learn About Proper Estate Planning with Elder Law Attorney Mindy Felinton! Proper estate planning can help you avoid a multitude of problems (and much worry and hassle) that could happen if you wait until something that necessitates division of an estate. The Internal Revenue Code imposes a tax “on the transfer of the taxable estate Read more about Proper Estate Planning[…]

People who aren’t prepared for the cost of caring for aging parents may find themselves the victim of negative inheritance, which refers to the costs adult children must bear to care for loved ones that can outweigh any bequests they receive. This term is becoming more familiar to people as a growing number of Baby Read more about Is Receiving a Negative Inheritance Possible?[…]

When a person is a beneficiary of a trust, it’s important they know their trust beneficiary rights. This is common with something called an irrevocable trust. It means the person created the trust so the terms of it can’t be terminated or changed unless specific conditions are met. These conditions will be communicated in the Read more about The Rights Of Trust Beneficiaries[…]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently presented a new proposal concerning the VA pension program, including the Aid and Attendance program, including: • Asset transfer penalties (for asset transfers within a three-year period of a benefits application) • Net worth limit adjustment to $117,240, to match Medicaid’s community spousal allowance for resources, to be Read more about New Rules Potentially Coming to Asset Transfer Penalties[…]

If you are approaching 65 years of age, you are probably considering Medicare. There are so many options when it comes to Medicare; therefore it is important that you research this thoroughly before you make a decision. The following are some of the basic medicare options you ought to know about regarding Medicare. One of Read more about Before You Sign Up for Medicare – Know Your Options![…]

It’s not just the soft paw that touches an open palm or the sound of a contented purr next to the ear, it’s really the impact of animals on the elderly people. This is especially true for the elderly who live in nursing homes since many of them had pets during their lives. The constant Read more about Animals and Their Impact on Elder Care[…]

Qualifying for Medicaid is quite challenging. Persons seeking eligibility for the same can qualify through a number of methods. Unfortunately, there are various problems associated with qualifying for such programs. Medicaid has stringent resource and income limitations. Limited funding has caused a low availability of waiver ‘slots’ accessible. The answer to ‘Will lawsuit settlements affect Medicaid Read more about Will Lawsuit Settlements Affect Medicaid Qualification?[…]

Both the Palm Beach County and Broward County circuit court systems are participating with six other Florida circuit courts in elder care pilot programs to examine elder care coordination. Four other states will begin the two-year program with Florida. The elder care pilot programs involve guardianships of seniors and squabbling family members who can’t agree Read more about New elder care pilot programs coming to South Florida[…]

The key concept in all estate planning is the preservation of the inheritance for its beneficiaries. This is known by the colloquial description “asset protection.” It is far too easy in the 21st century economy for a large, valuable store to become a target for any number of liabilities, from market losses, to business failures, Read more about Integrate Asset Protection Into Your Estate Plans[…]

There are a number of misconceptions about estate planning. This is especially so given that a majority of the population is not aware of the importance of estate planning. Additionally, the few who might be aware of the importance, might have the wrong information coupled with bias and misconceptions. Some examples include: That estate planning Read more about Estate Planning Misconceptions[…]

Understanding how estate planning and divorce in Florida are handled and managed from a legal perspective is an important part of estate planning in general, and asset protection. What a person did for purposes of estate planning during a marriage might be forgotten during a divorce. Florida law recognizes that unless otherwise provided for, the Read more about Estate Planning and Divorce In Florida[…]

Probate court involves distribution of a decedent’s assets whether they died with or without a will. It can be protracted, increasingly expensive as the process moves along, and certainly perplexing. There are alternatives to probating an estate in Maryland. These are some of the options. Living trust A revocable living trust is recognized as a Read more about How to avoid probate in Maryland[…]

As people mature, they accumulate property, bank accounts and investments of various kinds. Although these items may not add up to significant amounts, they will need to be protected in your later years. Estate planning is not just for the one percent of the population who has accumulated vast amounts; it is for regular people Read more about Estate Planning Is Not Just for the 1%[…]

Generally speaking, probate assets consist of a decedent’s property at the time of death.  This includes anything of value that does not transfer automatically. The greater the probate assets, the longer and more expensive the probate proceedings become. In Washington DC Probate should be avoided to the extent reasonably possible. General rules for avoiding probate Read more about How to Avoid Probate Court in Washington D.C.[…]

In a day and age when you can do just about anything from the comfort of your home or office, opportunities have opened up for us to make life more convenient than ever before. While it may be difficult to find any problems with these many accommodations, one we all too often overlook is fraud. Read more about How to Protect Your Assets on the Internet[…]

In order to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot have recently transferred assets. Congress does not want you to move into a nursing home on Monday, give all your money to your children (or whomever) on Tuesday, and qualify for Medicaid on Wednesday. So it has imposed a penalty on people who transfer assets without Read more about Medicaid’s Asset Transfer Rules[…]

If you become incapacitated who will make your medical decisions? A health care proxy allows you to appoint someone else to act as your agent for medical decisions. It will ensure that your medical treatment instructions are carried out, and it is especially important to have a health care proxy if you and your family may Read more about What’s a Health Care Proxy and Why Do I Need One?[…]

The median cost of a private nursing home room in the United States has increased 4.4 percent to $87,600 a year, according to the 2014 edition of a Cost of Care survey that the insurer Genworth conducts each year.  Genworth reports that the median cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home is $77,380, Read more about Cost of Private Nursing Home Room Now Averaging $87,600[…]

Caregiving is hard work and it is easy for caregivers to get burned out. Adult day care centers provide care and companionship in a group setting to seniors who need supervision during the day, allowing their caregivers to go to work or take a much-needed break. Often affiliated with another facility, such as a nursing Read more about Adult Day Care: Providing a Break for Caregivers[…]

People sometimes try to save money by not consulting with a qualified attorney when executing their will, instead using a pre-printed will or online program.  A recent court case offers yet another example of the hazards of doing this. Deciding the long-running case, the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that money acquired by a woman Read more about Dangers of Pre-Printed Wills[…]

An advance directive gives instructions on the kind of medical care you would like to receive should you become unable to express your wishes yourself, and it often designates someone to make medical decisions for you. But an important document like this won’t be of much use in an emergency if it’s tucked away in Read more about New App Stores Advance Directive[…]

Increasingly, several generations of American families are living together. According to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census data, more than 50 million Americans, or almost 17 percent of the population, live in households containing two adult generations. These multi-generational living arrangements present legal and financial challenges around home ownership. Multi-generational households may include Read more about What Are the House Ownership Options When Parents and Adult Children Live Together?[…]

If you are worried that disappointed heirs could contest your will or trust after you die, one option is to include a “no-contest clause” in your estate planning documents. A no-contest clause provides that if an heir challenges the will or trust and loses, then he or she will get nothing. A no-contest clause may Read more about Using a No-Contest Clause to Prevent Heirs from Challenging a Will or Trust[…]

In his 2014 State of the Union message, President Obama announced a new retirement savings program for people who do not currently have an employer-sponsored plan. The new investment product, called myRA, is a starter savings account aimed at low- and middle- income workers. Similar to a Roth IRA, the myRA accounts will allow workers Read more about Federal Government Creates New Retirement Savings Option: MyRA[…]

April 15th is approaching and it is time to begin crossing T’s and dotting I’s in preparation for paying taxes. As tax time draws near, you want to make sure you file all the proper forms and take all deductions you’re entitled to. Following are some things to keep in mind as you prepare your Read more about Seniors and Taxes[…]

Assisted living facilities offer basically the same services as board and care homes, but in a more “upscale” and homelike environment. Housing is often in small apartments and there is generally more space, privacy and recreational options. A premium is placed on retaining as much independence in living as possible, and care is more individualized. Read more about Assisted Living Facilities[…]

Absolutely.  Sometimes Medicare will decide that a particular treatment or service is not covered and will deny a beneficiary’s claim. Many of these decisions are highly subjective and involve determining, for example, what is “medically and reasonably necessary” or what constitutes “custodial care.” If a beneficiary disagrees with a decision, there are reconsideration and appeals Read more about Can You Appeal If Medicare Refuses to Cover Care You Received?[…]

A healthy 55-year-old man can expect to pay $925 annually for $164,000 in current long-term care insurance benefits, according to the 2014 Long-Term Care Insurance Price Index, an annual report from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, an industry group. The Association noted that identical coverage cost 15 percent more in 2013, meaning that the Read more about Price of Long-Term Care Insurance Policy Drops, At Least for 55-Year-Old Males[…]

The federal government has tightened the rules regarding reverse mortgages, making it harder for some seniors to get these types of mortgages and reducing the amount of their home’s value that they can tap. The new rules are an effort to strengthen the federal Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program, which insures almost all reverse Read more about New Rules Make It More Difficult to Get a Reverse Mortgage[…]

A fear that the government will seize their house after they die is causing some people to not sign up for expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A long-standing provision in Medicaid law allows states to recoup Medicaid costs by putting a claim on the home or other assets of older deceased Medicaid Read more about Medicaid Expansion Signups Hindered By Fear of Estate Recovery[…]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2014 federal guidelines for how much money the spouses of institutionalized Medicaid recipients may keep and the limit on how much a home can be worth for its owner to still qualify for Medicaid. In 2014, the spouse of a Medicaid recipient living in Read more about Dollar Limits for Medicaid Long-Term Care Coverage[…]

An investigative report has found that many nursing homes are mishandling resident’s funds. USA Today found 1,500 cases where nursing homes were cited by state and federal regulators for mishandling funds held in resident trust accounts or failing to protect the funds from theft. Nursing homes set up trust funds for residents who want the Read more about Report Reveals Thefts from Nursing Home Trust Funds[…]

All trusts should be reviewed every few years to make sure that they are up-to-date with the law and meet your goals today. Following is a checklist of trust features you can review yourself. But be aware that these only refer to revocable “living” trusts, not to irrevocable trusts. Do you have the right successor Read more about 9 (Potential) Problems With Trusts[…]

When planning your estate it is important to understand the difference between probate and non-probate assets. Probate is the process through which a court determines how to distribute your property after you die. Some assets are distributed to heirs by the court (probate assets) and some assets bypass the court process and go directly to Read more about Probate v. Non-Probate: What Is the Difference?[…]

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is increasing the amount taxpayers can deduct from their 2014 taxes as a result of buying long-term care insurance. Premiums for “qualified” long-term care insurance policies (see explanation below) are tax deductible to the extent that they, along with other unreimbursed medical expenses (including Medicare premiums), exceed 10 percent of Read more about IRS Issues Long-Term Care Premium Deductibility Limits for 2014[…]

It is common knowledge that husbands and wives are entitled to collect Social Security benefits on their spouses’ work records. Less well known is that this benefit applies to divorced spouses as long as the spouse has not remarried. Divorced spouses are even entitled to survivor benefits in certain circumstances. As a spouse, you have Read more about How Do Divorce and Remarriage Affect Social Security Benefits?[…]

Admitting a loved one to a nursing home can be very stressful. In addition to dealing with a sick family member and managing all the details involved with the move, you must decide whether to sign all the papers the nursing home is giving you. Nursing home admission agreements can be complicated and confusing, so Read more about Should You Sign a Nursing Home Admission Agreement?[…]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid has announced the Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurances for 2014. The big news is that thanks to what the administration says are the effects of its health reform efforts, the standard Medicare Part B premium will remain the same, $104.90 a month.  The Part B deductible will also hold Read more about Medicare Part B Premium to Remain the Same for 2014[…]

Admitting a loved one to a nursing home can be very stressful. In addition to dealing with a sick family member and managing all the details involved with the move, you must decide whether to sign all the papers the nursing home is giving you. Nursing home admission agreements can be complicated and confusing, so Read more about Should You Sign a Nursing Home Admission Agreement?[…]

In a case being closely watched by baby boomers throughout the country caring for aging parents, a Pennsylvania nurse has been charged with helping her 93-year-old father commit suicide. Barbara Mancini allegedly handed her father a vial of morphine, which he drank in its entirety, causing him to fall into a coma. Mancini’s father, Joe Yourshaw, Read more about Pennsylvania Nurse Charged With Assisted Suicide[…]

When one spouse qualifies for Medicaid to pay for a nursing home stay, the spouse who is at home is often left without many resources. While Medicaid has rules to prevent community spouses from impoverishment, the protections aren’t always enough. There are steps that you can take to increase the community spouse’s income, and as Read more about Using an Annuity to Keep the Spouse of a Medicaid Applicant from Becoming Impoverished[…]

More and more, we are conducting our business on the Internet, whether that’s online banking, shopping at Amazon and other sites, uploading documents and files to the “cloud,” posting videos on YouTube, or communicating with high school classmates via Facebook. So, what happens to all of our accounts and files when we become incapacitated or Read more about Digital Assets Raise Estate Planning Questions[…]

Starting October 1, 2013, people who lack health insurance could start signing up for coverage through the new Internet-based health insurance marketplaces set up under the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare).  Most of those who don’t already have insurance will have to buy coverage by March 31, 2014, or pay a penalty. But if you Read more about “Obamacare” Should Be of No Concern to Medicare Beneficiaries, Although Scammers May Tell You Otherwise[…]

When you inherit property, such as a house or stocks, the property is usually worth more than it was when the original owner purchased it. If you were to sell the property, there could be huge capital gains taxes. Fortunately, when you inherit property, the property’s tax basis is “stepped up,” which means the basis Read more about Do You Pay Capital Gains Taxes on Property You Inherit?[…]

The last thing anyone wants after the death of a family member is calls from debt collectors dunning the loved one’s estate. While some family members can be contacted by debt collectors, the family is protected from abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices. Usually the estate is responsible for paying any debts the deceased may have Read more about Dealing with a Deceased Loved One’s Debt Collectors[…]

Many people keep working well beyond age 65–the age when most people become eligible for Medicare. If your employer offers health coverage, do you need to enroll in Medicare? What if the employer offers or does not offer prescription drug benefits? Most workers probably should enroll in Medicare Part A, which is free for most Read more about Should I Enroll in Medicare?[…]

Although most people’s estates aren’t large enough to be affected by the federal estate tax, residents in many states have to consider how state taxes may reduce their estates. Several states have their own estate tax, which can affect much smaller estates than the federal estate tax does. In addition, some states impose an inheritance Read more about Have You Planned for State Estate and Inheritance Taxes?[…]

Phyllis Shelton. Protecting Your Family with Long-Term Care Insurance. LTCi Publishing, Hendersonville, TN. 2013. 360 pages. $19.95 from Amazon or directly from the author’s Web site Long-term care is expensive and only getting more so. That is why everyone needs to consider buying long-term care insurance, according to this newly updated book that explains exactly how Read more about Book Review: Protecting Your Family with Long-Term Care Insurance[…]

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) — which offer the entire continuum of care under one roof — are an appealing retirement housing option, but they can be very expensive.  The good news is there is a little-known tax break that can help defray the costs. CCRCs offer a range of services from independent housing to Read more about Tax Break Helps Pay for CCRC Fees[…]

Reunions, graduations, birthdays, and holidays: Whatever the occasion, nursing home residents don’t want to miss out on family gatherings, but may be afraid that they will lose Medicare or Medicaid coverage if they leave the nursing home. In most cases, Medicare recipients can leave for a day or two, although the nursing home may bill Read more about Will You Lose Medicare or Medicaid If You Leave the Nursing Home to Visit Family?[…]

Promissory notes can be a valuable tool in Medicaid planning, as illustrated by a recent federal district court case. In order to be eligible for Medicaid benefits, a nursing home resident may not have more than $2,000 in assets (in most states). If used properly, a promissory note can help a nursing home resident reach Read more about How Can Promissory Notes Be Used in Medicaid Planning?[…]

Most older Americans want to remain in their homes as long as possible.  For growing numbers of elders – and concerned family members – this is only possible with the help of a home care aide.  As we discuss in another article, there are two basic types of aides and two ways to engage one: Read more about 12 Interview Questions to Ask an In-Home Aide[…]

The new federal agency that protects the financial interests of the nation’s consumers is urging tougher regulation of the professional designations that financial advisors use to market their services to seniors. As ElderLawAnswers has previously reported, authoritative sounding titles like “certified senior advisor” or “certified retirement counselor” are often not what they seem.  Thousands of financial Read more about Federal Agency Urges Crackdown on the Profusion of Senior Financial Designations[…]

When you buy long-term care insurance years before you need it, you are taking a gamble that the company will still be around when it is time to pay out. But what happens if the company goes out of business? Usually insurance companies don’t just suddenly shut their doors. Instead, another insurance company buys out Read more about What Happens If Your Long-Term Care Insurance Company Fails?[…]

Are you married, with one spouse wanting to retire but the other one prepared to keep working? If so, you should take a close look at the “file and suspend” strategy to maximize your Social Security benefits. Spouses are entitled to Social Security benefits on their husband or wife’s work record if the marriage lasted Read more about Married Couples Can Maximize Their Social Security Benefits Using File and Suspend[…]

A recent Connecticut case highlights the risk to family members of nursing home residents who don’t live up to their financial commitments to such facilities. When her mother was admitted to the Cook Willow Health Center, Judy Andrien signed an admission agreement on behalf of her mother as “responsible relative,” agreeing to take steps to Read more about Live Up to Your Commitment to the Nursing Home, or Beware[…]

The refusal of a retirement home employee to administer CPR to a dying resident has gained international attention and sparked debate about both the legal responsibilities of independent living facilities and the efficacy of CPR itself. When Lorraine Bayless, 87, collapsed in the dining room of Glenwood Gardens, an independent living facility in Bakersfield, California, Read more about Retirement Home Worker’s Refusal to Administer CPR to Save Resident Sparks Debate[…]

After a Medicaid recipient dies, the state must attempt to recoup from his or her estate whatever benefits it paid for the recipient’s care. This is called “estate recovery.” For most Medicaid recipients, their house is the only asset available. Life estates For many people, setting up a “life estate” is the simplest and most Read more about Protecting Your House From Medicaid Estate Recovery[…]

The federal government is eliminating its most popular reverse mortgage. Soon homeowners will no longer be able to get a lump-sum payment if they apply for a reverse mortgage under the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Standard program. A reverse mortgage allows a homeowner aged 62 or older to receive a sum of money from Read more about Federal Government Is Getting Rid of Popular Reverse Mortgage Option[…]

End-of-life care decisions are never easy, but many Medicare recipients are being forced to choose between nursing home or hospice care, although neither by themselves may be ideal for a patient nearing the end of life. Nursing homes are great for providing around-the-clock care, but in general hospice care is considered to be better at Read more about Medicare End-of-Life Dilemma: Hospice or Nursing Home?[…]

If you choose to write your own will, you run the risk of not having your estate distributed the way you want, as a recent Pennsylvania case illustrates. George Zeevering apparently wanted his estate to go to two of his five children. Instead of seeking out an elder law attorney to advise him on drawing Read more about Do-It-Yourself Will Leads to Unwanted Result[…]

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) is introducing a bill to change Medicare law so that elderly patients are not charged unfairly for receiving needed nursing home care after being hospitalized. In a press release, Sen. Schumer said the plight of Isadore “Ike” Cassuto, an 88-year-old retired tax attorney and former WWII pilot, is typical of Read more about When Is a Hospital Stay Not a Hospital Stay? Bill Aims to Fix Costly Medicare Loophole[…]

While Medicare gets most of the news coverage, Medicaid still remains a bit of mystery to many people. The fact is that Medicaid is the largest source for funding nursing home care, but there are many myths about exactly who qualifies for it and what coverage it provides.  Here are five myths followed by the Read more about Five Myths About Medicaid’s Long-Term Care Coverage[…]

The conventional wisdom is that you should always pay off your debts, but that may not always make the most financial sense for seniors. In some cases, filing for bankruptcy may be the better choice. Many seniors are struggling with large credit card bills and monthly debt that exceeds their income. Bankruptcy may make sense Read more about Bankruptcy May Be the Better Choice for Debt-Laden Seniors[…]

Spouses need to be very careful or they could end up legally responsible for the cost of their husband’s of wife’s nursing home care, as a recent Massachusetts court decision demonstrates. When Milfranciu Jode entered a nursing home, his wife applied for Medicaid on his behalf.  Mr. Jode was rejected three times due to the Read more about Mass. Court Rules Wife Is Responsible for Husband’s Nursing Home Care[…]

Congress finally came to an agreement to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” and the agreement includes some changes to federal estate taxes and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). The American Taxpayer Relief Act sets a permanent estate tax rate and provides a tax break for cash donated to charities from an IRA. The new law makes only Read more about “Fiscal Cliff” Deal Brings Changes to Estate Taxes and IRAs[…]

For most people, the durable power of attorney is the most important estate planning instrument available—even more useful than a will. A power of attorney allows a person you appoint—your “attorney-in-fact” or “agent”—to act in place of you—the “principal”—for financial purposes when and if you ever become incapacitated. In that case, the person you choose Read more about The Durable Power of Attorney[…]

Just as we create estate plans for our eventual demise, we also need to plan ahead for the possibility that we will become sick and unable to make our own medical decisions. Medical science has created many miracles, among them the technology to keep patients alive longer, sometimes indefinitely. As a result of many well-publicized Read more about End-of-Life Care Decision Making[…]

A reverse mortgage can be a great tool in the right circumstances, but if you aren’t careful you could end up losing your home. A recent front-page article in the New York Times lays out some of the problems homeowners are encountering with these mortgages. You must be 62 years or older to qualify for Read more about A Reverse Mortgage Could Cause You to Lose Your Home[…]

Many people believe that if they are single, they don’t need a will and other estate planning documents. However, estate planning is just as important for single people as it is for couples and families. Estate planning allows you to ensure that your property will go to the people you want, in the way you Read more about Single? Estate Planning Still Essential[…]

The nation’s elderly and disabled Social Security recipients will receive a 1.7 percent increase in payments in 2013. This is expected to raise the average monthly payment for the typical retired worker by $21.  The increase is less than half of last year’s 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). In any case, the modest rise will be Read more about Social Security Benefits to Edge Up 1.7 Percent in 2013[…]

In a major change in Medicare policy, the Obama administration has provisionally agreed to end Medicare’s longstanding practice of requiring that beneficiaries with chronic conditions and disabilities show a likelihood of improvement in order to receive coverage of skilled care and therapy services. The policy shift will affect beneficiaries with conditions like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Read more about Medicare to End Standard for Coverage of Skilled Services[…]

Senior Estate Planning & Asset Protection: Seniors and Real Estate – A Seniors Real Estate Specialist May Be What You Need Seniors who are buying or selling a house often have very different issues than younger buyers and sellers. Seniors may be contemplating downsizing or moving to a more accessible home, or they may be Read more about A Seniors Real Estate Specialist Helps Buy and Sell Homes[…]

Elder Law Considerations: Voter ID Laws and Senior Voters The new voter ID laws that are being passed in a number of states may be disenfranchising many senior voters. The laws, purportedly enacted to prevent voter fraud, require voters to have a government-issued photo identification card — something nearly one in five seniors lack, according Read more about Senior Voters: ID Laws May Prevent Many Seniors From Voting[…]

Learn More About End-of-Life Care In Easy-Reading Book Ira Byock, M.D. The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through the End of Life. Penguin Group, New York, N.Y. 2012. 320 pages. $15.11 on Amazon. Click here to purchase. Advances in medicine are allowing Americans to live longer than ever, but this brings Read more about Book Review: A Doctor’s Prescription for Better End-of-Life Care[…]

Medicaid eligibility has been traditionally hard to understand and sometimes, even more difficult to manage correctly. We’ve all heard that it’s better to give than to receive, but if you think you might someday want to apply for Medicaid long-term care benefits, you need to be careful because giving away money or property can interfere Read more about How Gifts Can Affect Medicaid Eligibility[…]

One important element of end-of-life planning are advance directives… Despite well-publicized cases like that of Terri Schiavo, most Americans still do not have “advance directives” that give caregivers instructions on the kind of end-of-life care they would like to receive should they become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. End-of-life planning helps to ensure your wishes Read more about State Laws Create Obstacles to Advance Directives & End-of-Life Planning, Study Finds[…]

Issues in Elder Law: The Advanced Directive vs the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Nursing home patients are less likely to be subjected to unwanted medical interventions or hospitalizations under a program that offers an alternative to simple advance directives, according to a new study. While advance directives or “living wills” provide general guidance Read more about Advanced Directive vs the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST): A New Approach Reduces Unwanted Medical Treatments at End of Life[…]

Can you revoke a durable power of attorney? If for any reason, you become unhappy with the person you have appointed to make decisions for you under a durable power of attorney, you may revoke a power of attorney at any time. There are a few steps you should take to ensure the document is Read more about Revoking a Durable Power of Attorney[…]