A legal guardian can be responsible for overseeing an incompetent elder’s personal well-being, financial well-being or both. These duties may seem straightforward, but guardianship is a very serious commitment.
23 CommentsNavigating Medicaid’s financial eligibility requirements is complicated, and the spend down process is one of the trickiest parts. Learn from this caregiver’s experiences before devising your own Medicaid planning strategy.
86 CommentsIn order to make most decisions on an aging loved one's behalf, you must be given the legal power to do so. A durable power of attorney is a document your relative executes that gives you specific legal powers to act on his or her behalf.
12 CommentsSome people anticipate aging alone without family, while others find their plans upended by divorce, estrangement or death. Preparing for the possibility of being a solo ager requires extra effort but will prevent unnecessary hardships and stress.
5 CommentsEssential legal documents for estate planning and long-term care planning often need to be notarized to prove they’re valid. However, notarization can be tricky if a senior has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
0 CommentsSome individuals may consider transferring property to a trusted family member as a part of their estate plan or Medicaid planning strategy. However, there are a few different scenarios to consider to ensure the property isn’t lost altogether.
4 CommentsAs an elder law attorney, I was prepared for the day when my father began experiencing symptoms of memory loss. I knew what elder care documents to prepare, what information to have on hand, and how to keep everything organized and accessible.
20 CommentsSenior living facilities in certain states are not legally required to provide medical care to elderly residents, which can pose a serious ethical dilemma.
55 CommentsPower of attorney forms are a crucial part of planning for future health care needs and financial decisions, but it is important to understand how these legal documents can be drafted and the effects they can have on family relationships.
118 CommentsMany adult children are faced with the prospect of selling their parents’ homes to pay for their care. This may make sense financially but can be legally complex. Here’s what a caregiver should know before trying to sell their aging parent's home.
12 CommentsDetails for caregivers on trusts, including definition of a trust, types of trusts and how to set up a trust.
4 CommentsGiving your mother’s belongings to others in the family after she goes into a nursing home is a kind and loving gesture.
20 CommentsMost people try not to think or talk about death, but avoiding end-of-life discussions and failing to help aging loved ones prepare for this inevitability can make things far more difficult for the whole family. Use these tips to start the conversation.
13 CommentsShould caregivers and elders use advice from neighbors and friends when planning their Medicaid coverage?
0 CommentsWhen acting as power of attorney (POA) for a loved one, your signature must make it clear that you are acting on their behalf and not assuming personal responsibility for the contract or transaction.
1 CommentIt can be a real shock when a care facility notifies a family that it is evicting their aging loved one. Learn about the nursing home discharge and appeals process to prevent an unfair or unsafe discharge.
7 CommentsFilial responsibility laws in some states hold that adult children may be liable for their parents’ unpaid medical and nursing home bills. Learn your responsibilities in paying an impoverished parent’s long-term care costs.
10 CommentsWhen a group of adult children tried to sue their father's partner and caregiver, they received a shocking verdict. This cautionary tale exemplifies how misusing a power of attorney can have serious legal and financial consequences.
53 CommentsWhat happens if a combative patient injures an in-home caregiver on the job? When a family hires an independent caregiver who is not affiliated with an agency, serious legal troubles can arise.
0 CommentsPower of attorney forms are widely available online, but these forms aren’t meant to be one-size-fits-all. There are a few key points to consider before deciding against working with an elder law attorney to draw up a customized POA document.
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