Most people have a general idea of what estate planning is. Fewer, however, are familiar with the concept of elder planning. In a nutshell, estate planning is concerned with what happens to your assets after you die, while elder planning includes both estate planning and planning for what happens to your assets before you die. Ultimately, elder planning is...
Continue ReadingA conservatorship is a type of guardianship. Guardianship is an arrangement whereby one person (the guardian) is empowered to make important life decisions on behalf of another person (the ward) who has lost the capacity to make these decisions themselves. The decision-making powers that the guardian can exercise might include the power to manage the ward’s finances or healthcare...
Continue ReadingNew York state trusts and estates law provides several legal vehicles that allow you to state your wishes concerning what should be done in case you someday become incapacitated. The most popular of these vehicles include the revocable living trust, the living will, various types of power of attorney, and the Health Care Proxy. You are considered incapacitated when...
Continue ReadingOne of the most challenging questions family members will find themselves asking as their loved one ages is whether or not to place that loved one in a nursing home. Every situation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, you must consider all of the factors and then decide if nursing home care is...
Continue ReadingCOVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, mainly affects those over the age of 60 or those with a known health condition – including disabilities. Now, not everyone with a disability is affected by this virus, and many individuals with disabilities will recover even after contracting it. However, it is important to know which disabilities put family members at...
Continue ReadingThe recent COVID-19 pandemic attacking the United States and countries around the world has certainly tested the healthcare system, but it has also highlighted major flaws when it comes to infection control. It all began in Washington at a single nursing home, but that state is not alone. Multiple nursing homes across the country have had outbreaks that show...
Continue ReadingRespite care is a form of temporary care that gives family members or primary caregivers a break. Respite care might be used when a primary caregiver is out of town, ill, or just needs a day to run errands. Whether you are considering respite care for yourself or a loved one, it is important to understand the type of...
Continue ReadingElderly guardianship occurs when the court appoints one individual to care for an elderly party who can no longer care for themselves. The guardian will then assume duties and responsibilities for that elderly person. The individual appointed does not always have to be a family member, but usually a family member is appointed for this role. When Would an...
Continue ReadingMost people use the terms “estate planning” and “elder law” interchangeably. If you find yourself curious whether they are the same or not, you are not alone. Estate planning deals mostly with helping plan for disability, death, and taxes. The purpose of estate planning is to make sure loved ones receive their inheritance and are taken care of after...
Continue ReadingWhen and how long Medicare covers nursing home costs will vary, but understanding how your benefits work and when they kick in is critical when you require nursing home care. Most seniors will reach a point where they need nursing home or long-term care. Sometimes, it is only after an illness or accident, while other times the situation is...
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