Category Archives: (Advanced) Health Care Directive(s)
The Difference between Power of Attorney and Guardianship for Elderly Parents
The primary difference between guardianship and a power of attorney is in the level of decision-making power, although there are many intricacies specific to each appointment, explains Presswire’s recent article entitled “Power of Attorney and Guardianship of an Elderly Parent.” The interactions with adult protective services, the probate court, elder law attorneys and healthcare… Read More »
How to Be an Effective Advocate for Elderly Parents
Family caregivers must also understand their loved one’s wishes for care and quality of life. They must also be sure those wishes are respected. Further, it means helping them manage financial and legal matters, and making sure they receive appropriate services and treatments when they need them. AARP’s recent article entitled “How to Be… Read More »
How to Tell If Mom or Dad Need Caregiving Help
A 2016 AARP article entitled, “5 Signs Your Loved One May Need Caregiving Support, ” provides some great tips on what to look for when determining if an elderly loved one needs caregiving. Fall hazards. Does your parent have stairs without railings or poor lighting and other clutter that’s caused a fall? You need… Read More »
Why Does a Person Need a Living Will?
An advance directive or “living will” is a legal document that can give instructions about what kind of medical care you want, if you become seriously ill and are at the end of your life. You can state the types of medical treatments you do and do not want to receive and can designate… Read More »
What Legal Documents Should You Have?
You might think that the coronavirus pandemic has caused everyone to get their estate planning documents in order, but the 20th annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Retirees found that 30% of all retirees have nothing prepared—not even a will. That’s not good, for them or their families, says this timely article “6 Legal Documents… Read More »
How Much Should We Tell the Children about the Estate Plan?
Congratulations, if you have finished your estate plan. You and your estate planning attorney created a plan that is suited for your family, you have checked on beneficiary designations, signed all of the necessary documents and named an executor to carry out your directions when you pass. However, have you talked about your estate… Read More »
The Wrong Power of Attorney Could Lead to a Bad Outcome
There are two different types of advance directives, and they have very different purposes, as explained in the article that asks “Does your estate plan use the right type of Power of Attorney for you?” from Next Avenue. Less than a third of retirees have a financial power of attorney, according to a study… Read More »
How Do You Ask Parents about Estate Planning?
How do you ask your parents about their estate planning? No matter how you slice it, it’s a touchy subject to bring up. You don’t want to come off as greedy when asking your parents about their estate planning. However, you need answers to certain questions to ensure that their financial wishes are carried… Read More »
Caring for a Loved One from a Distance
Trying to coordinate care from a distance becomes a challenge for many, especially since as many as 80% of caregivers are working. Add COVID-19 into the mix, and the situation becomes even more difficult, reports the article “When your parent is far away and you are trying to care for them” from the Pittsburgh… Read More »
When Do We Need an Elder Law Attorney?
Kiplinger’s article “When Elder Care Requires Legal Advice” explains that this is when a lot of panicked calls are made to elder law attorneys. These attorneys specialize in planning for the legal complications that can arise in old age. However, seldom do people think to consult one preemptively to avoid making that panicked phone… Read More »