Most older adults acknowledge that estate planning is essential. Yet, nearly half of Americans age 55 or older do not have a will. Even fewer [...]

Some people may wish to decline life-saving treatment if facing a terminal illness. Others opt to seek out a physician's assistance in dying. Acting to end life [...]

When one member of a couple moves to a nursing home, we expect that spouse will be the first to die, but this isn’t always the case. What happens if a Medicaid recipient's spouse dies first?

Nursing home residents do not automatically have to sell their homes in order to qualify for Medicaid, but that doesn't mean it's completely protected. A lien can be placed on the house to [...]

Many retirees look forward to [...]

Caregiving is hard work and it is easy for caregivers to get burned out. Adult day care centers provide care and companionship in a group setting to seniors who need supervision during the [...]

The National Council on Aging reports that more than 16.5 million adults 65 and older experience economic insecurity. Rising housing and health care bills can also burden seniors on fixed, [...]

Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) renews the federal guidelines that seek to protect individuals whose spouses are applying for [...]

Not talking to your adult children about their inheritance comes at a cost. Do what you can to manage expectations for adult children [...]

In a survey published this past fall, more than 1,000 participants aged 18 to 99 shared insights on their estate plans – or lack thereof. In fact, more than half [...]

Visiting an attorney to get your estate plan done is one New Year's resolution that you should [...]

Even if your children get along well, the distribution of your assets can require conflict resolution skills. Without previously experiencing any significant [...]

Qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trusts enable individuals to maintain control over the assets they leave their spouse while preserving wealth and leaving a meaningful legacy for [...]

A death doula, or end-of-life doula, is a person who serves as a companion for a dying person and typically assists their loved ones in providing comprehensive [...]

With the arrival of the new year, revisions to the annual gift tax and estate tax exclusions will be going into effect, as recently announced by the Internal [...]

With multiple generations getting together for holiday meals, gift exchanges and quality time, these annual gatherings present an [...]

An Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis can be a challenging journey for the person and family alike. When the diagnosis occurs, a ticking clock begins on the [...]

An independent living facility is a housing arrangement that caters to older people, usually aged 55 and older. Some people may refer to these facilities as [...]

Most seniors want to be able to stay at home as long as they can instead of moving into a nursing home. The PACE program provides care and services to some nursing home-eligible seniors to [...]

For older adults experiencing hearing difficulties, over-the-counter hearing aids

If you are a senior on a fixed income, you may worry that you will not have the money to fill your fridge. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) [...]

The SSA has overpaid billions of dollars in benefits to Social Security recipients. An overpayment occurs when Social Security gives [...]

In 2023, recipients of Social Security benefits saw the biggest increase in decades in their monthly checks. Although their payouts will indeed rise again in [...]

In 2023, seniors were happy to see their Medicare Part B standard monthly premiums and annual [...]

Someone who is incapacitated cannot make personal decisions or understand legal documents. An incapacitated person requires a [...]

Many couples in their 30s and 40s are providing for their families and balancing care duties between the needs of children and parents. Managing it all takes preparation, organization, and [...]

By creating Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), 

Creating a living will ensures your future health care decisions and plans are respected. A living will is a legal document outlining [...]

Assisted living facilities and nursing homes are long-term housing and care options for older adults. Although people sometimes use [...]

Understanding some of the common medical and legal terms in the field of estate planning and elder law can give you added confidence [...]

The SECURE Act changed how beneficiaries of inherited retirement accounts must withdraw these funds. Its passage made it more difficult for individuals to pass [...]

If you own a firearm of monetary or sentimental value, you may wonder how to transfer ownership to your loved ones after you die. In [...]

As more people look to adopt environmentally sustainable practices not only in life, but now also in death, 'green' alternatives may become more of a norm in the [...]

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) took effect on Jan. 1, 2018, and impacted personal income taxes, estate tax rules, capital gains rules, and much more. The TCJA [...]

Elder law attorneys, with expertise in estate planning, incapacity planning, and end-of-life care for seniors, are essential in [...]

As part of their benefits, some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive Medicare flex cards. These are pre-paid debit cards for [...]

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) is a respiratory infection that mimics the common cold. However, the virus can cause serious complications in older [...]

Whether or not you are already receiving Social Security benefits, there are numerous services you may be able to take advantage of through the SSA [...]

If you are a property holder, you may use a Lady Bird Deed to transfer real property to a specific beneficiary while retaining certain rights to the property. [...]

Although in many situations the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when selecting beneficiaries, there are always exceptions.

Last wills and testaments (also known simply as wills) are not just for the wealthy.

Creating a spendthrift trust for your loved one can limit their spending and your protect wealth. 

America has three major housing issues for seniors: affordability, physical accessibility, and access to medical care and other services. There is a need for [...]

Seniors and disabled citizens will receive more access to the Medicare Extra Help Program as of the beginning of 2024.

Although Medicare funds some home health care services, a recent study has found that Medicare beneficiaries are underutilizing the [...]

When individuals cannot manage their finances, courts can appoint guardians. Financial guardianship is for those who need help [...]

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects patients' privacy. [...]

Some assets transfer directly to heirs after a person's death. Other assets must go through a process known as probate.

Many individuals are concerned when they hear the term "

For LGBTQ+ couples, estate planning may be more important than they realize.

Under a federal pilot program, a number of states are using Medicaid funds to cover healthy food costs for Medicaid recipients.

Many seniors wish to leave their home to their heirs. However, they may often lose track of their finances and fail to pay certain [...]

More and more seniors are facing a substance use disorder problem that in large part has remained silent.

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency offically ended in May 2023. Certain policies that were implemented in early 2020 during the PHE will now expire.

A QLAC is an annuity that you purchase with funds from an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) account and that guarantees you will receive retirement income on a set [...]

A crucial, yet often overlooked, component of estate planning is reviewing assets, such as 401(k)s, pensions, and savings accounts, [...]

Vermont has become the first state in the U.S. to update its end-of-life choice law to make it legal for nonresidents to pursue medically assisted [...]

Trusts are legal arrangements used in estate planning, alongside wills and advance directives.

Innovations in robotics and artificial intelligence may have the potential to provide support on this front, allowing seniors to [...]

Finding inexpensive, safe, and accessible housing can be challenging. However, several affordable housing options are available for older people with low [...]

For those who wish to maintain their independence and continue living at home as they grow older, taking certain steps to protect their physical, mental, and [...]

End-of-life care decisions are never easy, but many Medicare recipients are being forced to choose between nursing home or hospice care, although neither by themselves may be ideal for a [...]

Most people want to pass their assets to their children or grandchildren, but naming a minor as a beneficiary can have unintended consequences. It is important to make a plan that doesn’t involve [...]

Most people want to pass their assets to their children or grandchildren, but naming a minor as a beneficiary can have unintended consequences. It is important to make a plan that doesn’t involve [...]

Powers of attorney that only allow an agent to do certain things are commonly referred to as a limited power of [...]

While financial planning has been at the top of many Americans’ minds, a vast majority of people have stalled in creating an estate plan.

If you wish to maintain control during your lifetime over the assets you place in a trust, you may choose to establish a revocable, or "living" trust – most [...]

Many power of attorney forms allow for a variety of options in designating who may act as your agent. Depending on the rules of your state, this can be one [...]

Hospice care is a type of health care that patients with terminally ill conditions rely on at the end of their lives.

A new AARP analysis gives a glimpse into the experiences of family caregivers and offers recommendations on policies and practices that policymakers should [...]

Seniors who need assistance with certain daily activities are eligible for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports. Unfortunately, many who qualify for these [...]

Using survey data from more than 8,000 adults aged 65 and older, researchers have identified eight social factors that may lead to early death in older [...]

Wills contain important information about who receives money, possessions, and property upon a person’s death. Who can view this information, and is it a public record? 

Arranging what happens to your digital assets and information when you pass away has become an increasingly essential component of [...]

When you assume the role of surrogate decision-maker, it is crucial to understand the patient's wishes and values.

People create wills to establish what happens to their money and assets when they pass away. In these documents, they can name [...]

Self-monitoring one’s blood pressure can help in controlling hypertension. Depending on your state, Medicaid may cover part of the [...]

You may worry about your older loved ones, especially if you live far away from them. You can, however, take some simple steps to ensure their safety as they [...]

It is easy to burn out when you are responsible for providing full-time care to an aging or disabled loved one.

Full-time caregiving is a significant time commitment. Fortunately, family members who want to serve as caregivers may have options to help cover the [...]

Choosing an executor is a big decision when it comes to estate planning. Here are three common questions about executors.

When people make wills, they nominate someone to handle their estates and carry out their wishes after passing away.

Estate planning entails preparing your affairs for the future. While older adults might give more thought to estate planning, it is [...]

The basic idea behind a QPRT is to transfer the equity in a qualified residence out of a person's estate and to their heirs while [...]

The debate among lawmakers on further expanding Medicaid in some 11 states continues to evolve. 

Are you a taxpayer who has purchased long-term care insurance? Take note of your policy details [...]

Once Medicare kicks in, we may assume our medical insurance [...]

When it comes to filing your 2022 federal tax return for the 2023 tax season, you may be able to access several forms of assistance for free.

If you are preparing a will, it is important to choose an executor you can trust, who is reliable, and who will take their role [...]

Powers of attorney can be overridden. However, the "who" and "how" depends on whether the principal is of sound mind.

Many people are unaware that there is coverage to help families lay their loved ones to rest. Depending on your state, Medicaid may cover some funeral costs and [...]

Although every state's laws and forms vary, most power of attorney forms specify that the agency relationship created by a power of [...]

A health savings account may help you save money on medical expenses, depending on your insurance type.

Congress established the Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program to provide states with federal funding to help seniors who are receiving care in [...]

The Senate and House have cleared the passage of a year-end $1.7 trillion appropriations bill that will benefit older adults on a number of fronts.