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 […]
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 […]
Medicare prescription drug plans can change which drugs they cover, leaving you without coverage for a drug you need. Or you may switch plans into a plan that doesn’t cover your medication. In these circumstances, Medicare drug plans are required to offer you a 30-day transition supply of the drug you were taking. All Medicare […]
Planning for retirement and deciding whether to buy long-term care insurance would be a lot easier if you knew your odds of needing long-term care, as well as at what age and for how long. Unfortunately, there’s no definite answer. On the other hand, some statistics do provide a bit of guidance. The Numbers In […]
April 15th is approaching and it is time to begin crossing T’s and dotting I’s in preparation for paying taxes. As tax time draws near, you want to make sure you file all the proper forms and take all deductions you’re entitled to. Following are some things to keep in mind as you prepare your […]
Time is running out to use a potentially very lucrative Social Security benefits-claiming strategy. Spouses will no longer be able to use the “file and suspend” strategy after April 29, 2016. Beware, however, that the new rules are causing confusion at some Social Security offices. The federal budget agreement that was signed in fall 2015 […]
As a long-time spouse, taking on the role of caregiver can be an extremely difficult process that many couples simply do not foresee. Journalist Tara Bahrampour highlighted the conversations held among families about future long-term care steps in her recent Washington Post article called “Promise you’ll never put me in a nursing home.” Having witnessed […]