Showing 37 posts in Estate Planning.
A Look at Conservatorships in Wake of Britney Spears Case
Britney Spears’ 13-year old conservatorship is making headlines once again after a judge denied a 2020 request to remove Ms. Spears’ father as conservator of her finances. Ms. Spears delivered an emotional testimony at the hearing and indicated she may soon petition the court to end the conservatorship altogether. The resurgence of the #FreeBritney movement is a good opportunity to discuss the legality of conservatorships and how attorneys can help. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
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How Should We Celebrate Elder Law Month?
With 2020 in the rear view mirror and 2021 well underway, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to generate urgency for elder law planning for those most at risk. May is National Elder Law Month which allows the opportunity to educate seniors in local communities about their legal options and places an emphasis on the importance of planning early to ensure their wishes are in a legally binding format. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
Dangers of DIY Estate Planning Emails
Over the past decade, there has been a rise in demand for Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs). ALSPs are companies that provide legal services apart from the conventional paradigm of legal services and systems. They ultimately use legal technology in order to provide more efficient services in a faster span of time and with a drastically cheaper fee. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning, Senior Exploitation & Abuse
Thirteen Estate Planning Terms You Need to Know
Adopted in 2008, the third week in October is designated as National Estate Planning Awareness Week to bring attention to the importance of estate planning. An often overlooked aspect of financial wellness, according to the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, it is estimated that 56% of Americans do not have an up-to-date estate plan in place.
Estate planning—it is an incredibly important tool and it is not just for the uber wealthy or those thinking about retirement. On the contrary, estate planning is something every adult should do. Estate planning can help you accomplish any number of goals, including appointing guardians for minor children, choosing healthcare agents to make decisions for you should you become ill, minimizing taxes so you can pass more wealth onto your family members, and stating how and to whom you would like to pass your estate on to when you pass away. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
Taking Steps to Protect the Most Vulnerable During COVID
After seven-plus months and with little end in sight to the pandemic, adults responsible for their elderly parents and other senior caretakers continue to do their best to protect the most-vulnerable as the threat and uncertainty looms. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long-Term Care
Preparing a Will During a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to realize the need to create a plan for if the worst should happen. One of the most important components for ensuring a smooth process after death is executing a will. A will provides the will-maker (referred to as the “testator”) with directions to a personal representative for the administration and distribution of the testator’s estate after the testator dies. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Wealthy. Start Preparing Now.
Estate planning is considered by many to apply only to the wealthy and who have numerous assets. But preparing for the future is a common-sense habit for people of all income levels, and can save your loved ones in time and money in the long run. The current pandemic crisis has many people huddled down and looking at issues that had previously not occurred to them. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
What is National Elder Law Month? - A legacy to caring and planning
National Elder Law month traces its history to 1963 when President John F. Kennedy issued Proclamation 3527, declaring the month of May "Senior Citizens Month" and proclaiming that all "informational and educational means should be used" to pave the way for older Americans to have equal opportunities and lead "useful and satisfying lives." In 1980, President Carter changed the name to "Older Americans Month" and in 1988 with a focus on improving the quality of legal services provided to people as they age, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys established May as "National Elder Law Month."
In keeping with the spirit behind National Elder Law Month, Foster Swift attorneys Matt Fedor and Nic Camargo have prepared articles and videos to help you and your family navigate the elder law landscape.
The first video, "What is Elder Law Planning", is a great starting point and a helpful reminder that elder law is much more than estate planning. We also encourage you to check out Foster Swift's Elder Law Resource Page here and you can also access attorney Jay David's book Estate Planning: You Have to Start in Order to Finish.
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
COVID-19 Pandemic Creates a Renewed Urgency for Elder Law Planning
Planning for the future is often challenging, with so many "what ifs" to consider. As the news is filled with COVID-19 stories, many individuals are wishing they had not put off elder law planning, particularly estate planning. That said, there is no time like the present. In the video COVID-19 and Elder Law Planning, attorneys Matt Fedor and Nic Camargo provide a practical framework on how to get started.
One of the most important things to remember when planning is that every person's needs are different and each plan needs to be customized; that's why it's important to select an attorney with elder law experience. Both Fedor and Camargo are members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and have helped many seniors develop and implement plans that ensure their end of life wishes are honored.
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
Estate Planning During Coronavirus
One cannot help but be mindful of important end-of-life decisions during this difficult time in our nation. Everywhere one looks, there is apprehension and concern related to the ongoing pandemic. In these trying times, it is natural to contemplate difficult topics such as who will look after our well-being or who will manage our estates should the need arise. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
E-book Covers Estate Planning Essentials
Engaging in estate planning, while essential, is often emotional and generates many questions. How do I protect my spouse and my children if something happens to me? What happens if I become disabled before I pass on? Who will take care of my pet after I'm gone? How do I pass my business on to my children? These questions and more are addressed in Jonathan David’s recently updated e-book, “Estate Planning: You Have to Start in Order to Finish.”
Survivor's Checklist:
Due to the shock of the death of a spouse or a loved one, the steps of what needs to be done first can be an overwhelming process for the survivor(s). To aid in the breakdown and to act as a tool amidst the emotional days ahead, estate planning Jonathan "Jay" David has assembled a "Survivor's Checklist" of some of the important things that need to be addressed when a spouse or loved one dies.
Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2024):
Below is a comprehensive guide of resources for older adults living alone, empowering them to thrive independently and access essential services. This guide was created and provided with permission by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).
Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2024) (ncoa.org)
Elder Organizer Tool:
Foster Swift has created a free ‘Elder Organizer’ digital notebook to provide seniors and their caretakers with a toolkit that helps organize doctors’ appointments, medications, and more that can be shared online. The tools below are also available on the Elder Law Resources page.
*For those trying to access these links by smartphone, it is best practice to copy/open the link in a separate tab and download the free Google Sheets app from Google Play or the Apple Store.
Need Help Planning?
For more tools, visit our Elder Law Resource page for additional content. Click here to view/download the Foster Swift estate planning brochure to see what our experienced team of attorneys can do for you.
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