Understanding the Vital Importance of Writing a Will  In the whirlwind of life’s responsibilities, it’s easy to overlook a crucial task: writing a will. Yet despite its significance many people delay or avoid drafting this essential document. The reality is, creating a will isn’t just about distributing assets—it’s about ensuring your wishes are honored and protecting your loved ones after you’re gone. A will serves as a legal document outlining how you want your assets, property, and possessions to be distributed upon your death. While it may seem uncomfortable to contemplate, failing to ..read more

An important part of estate planning is deciding who is going to help you manage your estate or become the person in charge of your estate if you’re no longer able to make decisions yourself.  If you are concerned about what happens to your investments or your home in those circumstances, a good choice might be to set up a revocable trust. Your savings, investments, real estate, etc. can all be placed into a revocable trust.  It is a type of trust that can have the provisions altered or cancelled depending on the wishes of the originator of the trust, or grantor.  The assets and ..read more

Over the years, nursing homes and the services they provide have evolved and become more complicated.  Today they are places where skilled staff not only offer 24/7 physical care, but also focus on the social, emotional, and mental well-being of their residents.  Also referred to as skilled nursing facilities, modern nursing homes provide short- and long-term care based on the needs of the individual.   Who needs to think about nursing homes? Statistically speaking, most of us! According to the Administration for Community Living, almost 70% of those 65 and older will need ..read more

When we are young, our long-term health is one of the furthest things from our minds. We think we’ll have plenty of time to make potentially uncomfortable decisions as we get older.  But what if the unthinkable happens sooner rather than later and renders you incapable of making those decisions? If you want to be in charge of your life and health no matter what, taking the time to create an Advanced Directive for Health Care NOW is the best decision you can make.  What is an Advance Directive for Health Care? An Advance Directive for Health Care is a legal document that provides inst ..read more

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that our lives can change in an instant – and in so many unforeseen ways. With the end of 2020 upon us, you may be tempted to try and put everything about it in the rearview mirror. However, there is much that we can learn from all 2020 brought us. This year has taught us how to see more clearly the things that are most important in our lives. So, while you don’t need to be pessimistic about the future, we do recommend that you think about how to protect what matters most – yourself and your loved ones in the months and years to come. Planning for your own ..read more

Veterans who served our great nation deserve the benefits promised by our government – but it is not always easy to obtain these funds due to bureaucratic red tape. That is why it is important to have someone willing to step in and ensure that you get what you are owed. If you – or your spouse – served on active duty for at least 90 consecutive days, including at least one day during wartime and qualify for the basic Veterans Pension, you may be eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits. These funds are based on clinical and financial requirements and can be crucial to those veterans (or their ..read more

Long-term care and Medicaid planning is not something we necessarily want to think about; however, it is important not to stick our heads in the sand. Unfortunately, many people do not address it until they are faced with serious health problems or need nursing home placement immediately. Long-term care requires significant funds – not to mention finding the right locations / companies / aids – all of which may come with wait times and regulations. So, once you near retirement age, it is critical that you plan for these outcomes as soon as possible. Doing so will not only save money and time b ..read more

Setting up a trust that’s fair and manageable takes a holistic approach that combines your understanding of the law as well as a compassionate understanding of the motivations driving a client’s needs. The clients, Husband and Wife (Mom and Dad), are sitting in front of you. The three of you are discussing how they want their assets distributed upon the death of the survivor of them. They have three children. When you ask about the children, Dad’s facial expression changes and Mom’s eyes begin to well up with tears. Two of the three (all adult) children are “fine,” but their daughter, Susie, h ..read more

Annuities, like dogs, come in a multitude of breeds. Both pit bulls and poodles can be loyal and trusted companions — if matched with the right person. Finding the right match is likewise key when it comes to annuities. Whether an annuity can be a faithful source of financial support in the client’s retirement depends upon a variety of factors, including the client’s age, income, and net worth; the amount invested; the length of the payment period; and the type of annuity. The right annuity, used in the right way for the right client, can offer unparalleled benefits. Some annuities, however, s ..read more

For most seniors, the family home is their most important asset and selecting the best ownership option is of critical importance.  A senior may ask these questions.  “Should I give my home to my children now?”  “If I add my children to the title, what happens if they divorce, have creditor problems or become estranged from me?”  “How can I make sure my home will escape probate?”  “How can I keep my home in the family in the future?”  “How can I prevent the loss of my home if I enter a nursing home?”  “Will my children have to pay tax if they sell my home aft ..read more