More than half of adults over age 65 will need long-term care, and it's expensive. The cost of long-term care can quickly drain what you've spent a lifetime working for, leaving nothing for a spouse, other loved ones, or your own care. Fortunately, there are legal tools available to reduce or eliminate the impact paying for care can have on your life savings. The earlier you start this conversation, the more options you have.

Retirement is an exciting time and full of changes. You've worked hard to get to this season, so protect the life you've built with an estate plan that addresses your needs.

• Giving to kids, grandkids, charities, organizations after you've gone.
• Protecting what you've earned from the high (and rising!) costs of assisted living and long-term care.
• Avoiding or reducing tax burdens associated with giving real property, qualified money (like retirement accounts), and other valuable assets.

We understand that every person's retirement situation is unique. We'll get to know you and your priorities personally, so that together we can make an estate plan you understand and feel confident about. 

The cost of professional long-term care is staggering, so many people take on the role of caregiver for an aging parent themselves. This role can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Especially for those in the "sandwich generation" who are responsible for their own children's needs and the needs of an aging parent. 

For others, acting as financial or medical power of attorney for a parent can be intimidating. What are your legal responsibilities? What if you and your parent don't agree on important decisions?

We help families tackle issues related to caring for aging parents every day. Issues like:

• I don't think my parent should live alone anymore. What do I do?

• My parent has been diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or something similar. What now?

• My parent needs more care than I can provide and I don't know what to do. 

• How do we pay for the care my parent needs? Professional care is expensive!

• Is it OK for my parent to pay me for their care?

• Does my parent have access to Medicaid or Veteran's Aid & Attendance benefits? How do we find out?

• I'm power of attorney for my parent, what do I need to know?

Handling these questions and challenges is overwhelming. But you don't have to do it alone! Contact us today for a conversation about the legal tools available to help you best care for an aging parent. 

Whether losing a spouse, a sibling, or a friend, life can change dramatically change after losing someone you love. Making an estate plan, or updating your current plan, after the death of a loved one is a wise step. Some things we'll consider:

• Have you inherited anything? Life insurance payout, retirement accounts, business interests, property, etc. What should happen with these assets?
• Was this person your medical or financial power of attorney? Trustee or executor? Beneficiary of any of your assets? Who do you want to fill those roles now?
• Does this person have a will to be executed or a trust to be administered? Does their estate need to go to probate? Are you not sure about any of these options? We can help.

Planning ahead after losing someone can be painful and difficult. We have walked through this season with many clients, and make it as easy as possible to regain some confidence and control through a personal estate plan. 

A diagnosis for you or a loved one of Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, or something similar can be devastating. How is life going to change? How do we prepare for the unpredictable future? Unfortunately, many people wait to discuss their legal options until it's too late. Without the proper tools in place, you face court proceedings for a guardianship or conservatorship, which can be lengthy and costly.

That's why we make it as easy as possible to put in place crucial legal tools that help regain some control and certainty about what's ahead. Specialized planning can help alleviate the burden on caregivers, family, and the person dealing with the diagnosis. The earlier you have these conversations the better. Take the easy first step and call for a free conversation with our team today.