Probate is the legal process by which the estate is authenticated and the deceased’s assets are distributed to the beneficiaries. Whether or not you require probate depends on the type of property and how you own it, and the state…
Imagine Rose, a close friend of yours, has asked you to be her trustee, but you are concerned about the obligations that come with being a trustee. You would be managing Rose’s property for her and for others whom she…
Envision your grandfather, Martin is elderly and his health has deteriorated to a point where he is now unable to make decisions for himself. A court appoints you to be Martin’s guardian of property, to help Martin manage his money.…
A conservator is appointed by the court to care for and protect a person who is deemed unable to care for themselves. Among the conservator’s responsibilities are managing the conservatee’s health and wellbeing as well as preserving their assets. While…
57% of American adults have not prepared a Last Will & Testament (a “Will”) according to Care.com’s estate planning survey. The survey found that participants were more likely or less likely to have a Will depending on issues such as…
It is common for young adults to consider themselves too young to have an estate plan. Young adults in their twenties and thirties often think they don't own enough to constitute an estate. However, an estate is the total of…
Hotel heiress Leona Helmsley left a trust fund for her Maltese dog named “Trouble” to the tune of $12 million dollars in 2007. Unfortunately, pet inheritances ever since have enjoyed a dubious reputation. The Value of an Animal Trust for…
Any action or failure to act that causes unreasonable suffering, misery, or harm to the patient is considered nursing home abuse or neglect. It can include assault of a patient, but can also include withholding necessary food, medical attention, or…
Navigating Medicare can sometimes seem like going through a maze. On the one hand, Medicare is obviously a good resource because it provides medical benefits to seniors who are often on a fixed income. On the other hand, however, navigating…
Because seniors are older, they are more vulnerable to identity theft. Identity theft is a crime that is on the rise. It involves a criminal stealing personal identifying information to create a new identity or to steal money from the…