The Legal Stuff

Estate planning and Medicaid — how they interact

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. There's a reason people talk about Medicaid planning in the same breath as estate planning. They&

The Legal Stuff

When a parent wants to change their will — capacity questions

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your parent wants to change their will. Maybe they want to leave more money to one child and

The Legal Stuff

Updating an estate plan after a diagnosis — what changes

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. A parent's diagnosis changes things. Sometimes it changes everything. You get that call or that appointment

The Legal Stuff

Blended families and estate planning — the complications nobody planned for

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You probably didn't grow up in a blended family, or maybe you did and that'

The Legal Stuff

Estate planning on a budget — options when money is tight

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your parent wants to do some estate planning, but money is tight. Your parent is on a fixed

The Legal Stuff

When there's no estate plan — dealing with the consequences

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your parent died unexpectedly. She was only sixty-eight. She had a heart attack at work. She never thought

The Legal Stuff

Guardianship and conservatorship — when the court gets involved

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your father has dementia. He can't manage his affairs. Your mother died five years ago. There&

The Legal Stuff

Finding an elder law attorney — what they do and how to choose one

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You called the attorney your cousin recommended. The attorney said they did legal work, but their specialty was

The Legal Stuff

How to avoid probate — strategies that actually work

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your parents got tired of hearing about how expensive and time-consuming probate is. They wanted to avoid it.

The Legal Stuff

Beneficiary designations — the document that overrides the will

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your mother's will said her life insurance was supposed to go to her children equally. But

The Legal Stuff

Revocable living trusts — when and why they make sense

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your mother created a revocable living trust five years ago. She transferred her house, her investment accounts, and

The Legal Stuff

Probate explained — the process most families dread

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your father passed away. He left a will. You assumed you could start managing his affairs right away.