Over the course of your lifetime, you will have made millions of decisions for yourself. Most people do not like the idea of turning over the decision-making authority to someone else; however, the reality is that at some point it may be necessary. By planning ahead, you can choose to whom you hand over that authority instead of letting a court decide through a guardianship petition. The Illinois Quad City probate attorneys at Nash, Nash, Bean & Ford, LLP explain what you can do now to avoid … [Read more...]
Are You Planning for Long-Term Care? LTC Planning Month Is a Good Time to Get Started
Although we enjoy a much longer average life expectancy in the United States than our ancestors did just a century ago, the natural aging process will catch up with all of us eventually. With that in mind, why not get started on your long-term care planning this October during Long-Term Care Planning Month? Each year, the month of October is designated as Long-Term Care Planning Month in the United States, providing the perfect opportunity to ensure that both you and your assets are protected … [Read more...]
Court Narrows Field to 2 in Battle Over Manson Estate
Celebrity estate battles frequently serve as examples of the importance of having a well thought out estate plan in place, as well as what can happen when you don’t have a plan in place. The fact that there is yet another “celebrity” estate battle making the news, therefore, should come as no real surprise. The identity of the “celebrity,” however, may come as quite a shock. Charles Manson, who died in prison last year, left very few assets behind; yet, several people have thrown their hat into … [Read more...]
Moline Trust Lawyers Explain How a Trust Helps Avoid Probate
For most people, a Last Will and Testament is the first estate planning document they create. That same Will may continue to serve as the foundation of their estate plan for many years to come. If your Will remains the cornerstone of your estate plan, it might be time to consider another option if probate avoidance is important to you. A trust can accomplish most of the same goals as a Will while also offering a number of additional estate planning benefits, including probate avoidance. The … [Read more...]
Tips for Reducing the Likelihood of a Dispute over Your Estate
Your estate plan is your opportunity to put down in writing what you wish to happen to your estate assets after you are gone. For most people, one of the strongest motivations for having an estate plan in place is to ensure that those wishes are honored. Unfortunately, the law does allow certain people to challenge the Last Will and Testament that you execute. Because a Will contest is only initiated after your death, you cannot defend your Will if one is filed. You can, however, take steps now … [Read more...]
-Alternatives to Long-Term Care
The idea of moving a parent, or other elderly loved one, into a nursing home is usually not a welcome thought. In fact, most of us prolong even thinking about the need for long-term care (LTC) until long after the need actually exists. Fortunately though, as the elderly population in the United States has exploded in recent years, the healthcare industry has also evolved to meet their needs. Consequently, there are now a number of potential alternatives to LTC that may prolong, if not completely … [Read more...]
-Will a Robot Be Your Caregiver in the Future?
Experts tell us the older population in the United States will more than double from the current 46 million to over 98 million by 2060. The average life expectancy has also nearly doubled in the U.S. over the last century. The combination of the two threatens our already overburdened healthcare system. A healthcare system that is struggling to provide quality care to the elderly now. It should come as no surprise that concerns are mounting about how we will be able to care for our elderly in the … [Read more...]
Do You Qualify for Medicaid for Seniors?
Like many people, you may have made it all the way to your retirement years without ever needing to rely on Medicaid to help cover your healthcare bills. As a senior,, however, there is a very good chance that will change, and if you fail to plan ahead, you may not qualify. The first step in the planning process is to learn what the eligibility requirements are for a senior. Toward that end, the Moline Medicaid attorneys at Nash, Nash, Bean & Ford, LLP offer some basic guidelines for … [Read more...]
Geneseo Estate Planning Lawyers Explain Why Probate Avoidance Should Be Part of Your Plan
When you initially set out to create an estate plan your primary objective was probably to ensure that your estate assets would be distributed according to your wishes in the event of your untimely death. As both your estate and your family has grown, you may now be ready to add to that basic plan and create a more sophisticated and comprehensive estate plan that includes additional, yet related, goals. The Geneseo estate planning lawyers at Nash, Nash, Bean & Ford, LLP explain why probate … [Read more...]
DOJ Warns Seniors about 10 Common Financial Scams
Elder abuse takes many forms, including financial exploitation. The sad truth is that many scam artists prey on the elderly because they tend to be more trusting and less knowledgeable about technology that is frequently used to commit financial crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) works on a daily basis to identify and shut down scams that target the elderly. Recognizing a scam before falling victim to it is the key to protecting yourself or an elderly loved one. Toward that end, the … [Read more...]
