It’s counterintuitive, we know: irrevocable trusts are revocable (and amendable). Unfortunately, irrevocability is a malicious myth. The uninformed could spend years relying on an old, out-of-date trust that could be updated and improved without too much effort. Yes, the so-called “irrevocable trusts” absolutely can be, and, often, should be, modified. In this issue, we’ll identify: […]
When a family member dies, there are many legal and financial things that need to be taken care of. That process is commonly called “estate settlement.” It is also called Probate. There are costs involved with the estate settlement process. Taking care of all that needs to be done usually entails a lot of work. […]
What is a life care planning law firm? How is it different from a typical elder law firm? The answers to these questions describe what makes Weatherby & Associates truly unique. They also reflect the passion and commitment of the firm’s staff to the ongoing work of helping our clients thrive. For more information on […]
Are you approaching age 65 and currently covered by a marketplace health care plan under the Affordable Care Act (aka “Obamacare”)? If so, you should think carefully about your options. While it’s possible to keep or renew your marketplace plan once you become eligible for Medicare, there could be steep costs for doing so, and […]
One of a family’s worst nightmares is their loved one suffering abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Abuse can come from staff members, but a more common source of abuse may actually be other residents. Researchers believe that despite the prevalence of the problem, resident-on-resident abuse is underreported.A 2014 study by Cornell […]
Unlike money, personal belongings usually cannot be divided equally after their owner passes away. For this reason, distributing possessions like furniture, jewelry, dishes, silverware, artwork, photographs or clothing is often the most difficult challenge in settling an estate. (Just ask Audrey Hepburn’s two sons.)It can help if the deceased person had stated in her will […]
Have you ever heard of state “filial responsibility” laws? Although rarely enforced, 29 different states have laws that require children to provide financial support to their indigent parents under certain circumstances. In the context of long term care, those statutes could potentially result in adult children being liable for their parents’ sizable nursing home and […]
Many families are hesitant to discuss financial affairs together. Parents do not necessarily want their children to know how much or exactly what they have. Some do not want their loved ones to know exactly how they plan to dispose of their assets when they die. However, what we strongly recommend for each and every […]
While most marriages are entered into with a great deal of bliss and optimism, nonetheless many of those marriages end in divorce. From an estate planning perspective, it always prudent for a marrying couple to enter into a prenuptial agreement that proactively addresses spousal support requirements and division of assets as well as in the […]
Springtime often creates a drive to clean out your home, your desk, your car and just about everything that physically and emotionally constitutes ‘clutter’ in life. In some cases, projects can be completed more effectively when help is enlisted. Professional organizing is a growing industry which aims to serve a multitude of populations, but can […]