As the population ages, the number of people affected by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia continues to rise. For family caregivers, this role comes at a substantial cost.

Each year, the feds issue updated guidelines outlining how much of a couple's assets a healthy spouse can keep while their Medicaid spouse gets the long-term care support they [...]

Research shows that nearly 70% of seniors will require long-term care at some point in their later years. Although it does add another expense to one's life, long-term care insurance can [...]

Medicare is a complex program with many benefits. Knowing about the options available to beneficiaries will help you understand and navigate the system. Let's look at Medicare's annual [...]

If you are fortunate enough to own a vacation home, you need to figure out what will happen to it after you are gone.

Understanding which digital accounts you can legally leave to your loved ones is crucial. However, legally gaining access to digital assets can present challenges for anyone other than [...]

A family limited partnership (FLP) is a business structure that allows family members to pool assets for business and investing purposes.

Did you know that February 20 marks National Love Your Pet Day each year? You might consider it the perfect occasion to ensure they will have the care they need into the [...]

Long-term care involves a loss of personal autonomy and comes at a tremendous financial price. Proper planning can help your family prepare for the financial toll and protect assets for future [...]

You generally must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and Part B before you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. To join a Medicare Advantage plan, contact the plan and ask if it is accepting [...]

The Older Americans Act seeks to promote the well-being, dignity, and independence of older Americans. By providing billions of dollars in funding for essential services, the OAA helps seniors [...]

The future of Medicare-reimbursed telehealth services will largely be shaped by ongoing legislative efforts. Congress has introduced several bills aimed at extending many of the temporary [...]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the 2025 figures for Medicare. As in 2024, these health care costs are going up across the board.

With identity theft and taxpayer fraud on the rise, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is encouraging taxpayers to take extra caution when filing tax returns.

Does having more money lead to greater happiness? The effect income has on happiness can vary greatly depending on factors such as how much money one already has, cultural attitudes, and [...]

Popular in video gaming and entertainment, virtual reality has more recently been deployed in health care for a variety of purposes, from treating phobias and PTSD to training physicians. An [...]

Inherited wealth can provide opportunities that weren't previously available, such as early retirement, investment opportunities, or funding for personal passions. However, it can also come with [...]

The federal government provides Social Security retirement benefits, a form of financial assistance, to individuals who have reached retirement age and have paid into the Social Security system [...]

Hoarding disorder disproportionately affects older adults. While about 2 percent of the general population struggles with accumulating too many objects, hoarding impacts over 6 percent of people [...]

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program is one of four types of Medicare Savings Programs. This fall, a new rule will ensure that many more people gain access to this valuable program.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has officially released its annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) figures for 2025.

Once you've taken the step to create a will and get your estate plan in order, you need to figure out what to do with the will itself.

Inheritance tax is a state-level tax that beneficiaries pay when they receive assets from an estate after somebody has passed away.

Here are some steps you can take to get started with the estate planning process, even before you meet with an attorney to work on any legal documents.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released its tax inflation adjustment figures for tax year 2025.

A fundamental aspect of a representative democracy is the right to vote, shared by all eligible citizens, whether or not they have full cognitive abilities.

Hearing loss is common in older adults, but many still don't wear hearing aids. In addition to helping people to hear better, hearing aids have been demonstrated to have a positive impact on [...]

Medicare open enrollment is on the horizon. Start thinking about changes you may want to make to your coverage. Some significant changes have come along for Medicare, with more taking effect in [...]

Our devices offer so many benefits and have become such an integral part of our lives that we often forget how much easier they make it for people to steal our information or take advantage of us.

Whether it's an honor or a burden (or both), you have been appointed trustee of a trust. What responsibilities have been thrust upon you? How can you successfully carry them out?

While simple estate plans may just use a will, more complex plans may benefit from also employing a trust.

Older drivers are among the safest of all drivers, a AAA report showed. Nonetheless, state senior driving laws vary widely across the country.

Failing to maintain and make new meaningful connections as older adults age can lead them toward a deep sense of loneliness. This can affect their mental and physical health, including [...]

Medicare tax is an essential component of the United States tax system. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the solvency and functionality of the Medicare program.

On July 12, 2024, the SSA announced a change affecting many account users. Those who created a my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, must transition to a different [...]

A trustee is the person or institution appointed to manage a trust on behalf of beneficiaries of the trust.

Sound estate planning can make the probate process run efficiently and smoothly, protecting your estate's value and legacy and preserving your family's well-being. An attorney can help [...]

After much anticipation, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued final regulations relating to the 10-year required minimum distribution (RMD) rule for [...]

A promissory note is normally given in return for a loan. Classifying transfers as loans rather than gifts can be useful because it sometimes allows parents to "lend" assets to their children [...]

Thanks to a new rule recently finalized by the federal government, obtaining and renewing health care coverage under the Medicaid program is set to become easier for millions of [...]

Effective September 30, 2024, a new Social Security Administration rule is likely to allow more elders to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Some current SSI recipients may see an [...]

In the ever-evolving landscape of health care, one critical challenge has been ensuring that Medicare recipients receive the coverage they need without undue financial burdens.

Many people think that estate plans may be for someone else, but certainly not them. Here are 11 compelling reasons to set up an estate plan, no matter what your age or net worth.

If you've created a business, you know that success doesn't happen overnight. But do you know what will happen to your business if something unexpected impacts you or when you decide to [...]

Avoid making these common mistakes that can rapidly affect your inheritance and future plans.

Since the 1960s, Medicaid has provided health care coverage for low-income people across the United States. For millions of seniors, Medicaid offers financial assistance, helping them to cover [...]

Estate planning for blended families is key to a smooth inheritance process, especially since probate rules and intestate succession law do not treat step and biological children the same when [...]

Trusts can offer many benefits, including allowing assets to pass directly to beneficiaries and charitable organizations without going through probate, minimizing taxes, and [...]

Life insurance can be an integral and important part of a well-drafted estate plan. There are numerous benefits to owning a life insurance policy aside from providing a large sum of money to [...]

As a spouse, you have the option of claiming a Social Security retirement benefit based on your own earnings record or collecting a spousal benefit equal to half of your spouse's Social [...]

As adults age, they may want to remain in their homes and communities for several reasons. For one, remaining in one's own residence preserves independence.

Though Medicaid exists to help those who need it, navigating the specifics of what it covers and does not cover can be daunting. Here are highlights on the basics of Medicaid [...]

As the U.S. population ages and life expectancies increase, the need for long-term care is becoming an important consideration for many individuals and families.

A guardianship or conservatorship protects the interests of an adult who can no longer make decisions for themselves. A guardian or conservator is someone (or several people) with the legal [...]

When making a will, you’ll work with an estate planner to designate those who will inherit from you. The persons (or entities, such as a charity) you choose are the [...]

In general, the probate process moves quickly if the estate has minimal assets and little debt. Larger estates can take anywhere from nine months to a few years, especially with problematic [...]

What would happen if you became seriously ill or injured and were no longer able to make your health care decisions? A living will can outline your wishes so your loved ones can make [...]

If your parent did not prepare for incapacity and name a person to act as their power of attorney, you won’t be able to create a legal document after they are mentally impaired. You will need [...]

Americans have a growing appetite for prescription drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, they are now exploding in popularity as a [...]

Sadly, there are seemingly limitless financial fraud schemes that affect older Americans. The impact of financial abuse is [...]

Elder law attorneys understand the challenges of planning long-term care amidst the shifting care environment. Evaluating costs and developing strategies to pay for long-term care before you [...]

If your assets are above the resource limit that would allow you to qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to engage in Medicaid planning. Legal strategies will allow you to qualify for [...]

To secure the maximum amount in monthly Social Security retirement benefits, Americans must wait until full retirement age to start receiving their payouts. [...]

Recently proposed legislation seeks to offer financial relief for unpaid family caregivers. The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of [...]

Although 2024 Medicare premiums are seeing an increase, there are nevertheless a few bright spots. 

Under a new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan starting in 2025, all Medicare prescription drug plans, including Medicare Advantage plans, will offer enrollees [...]

Your most valuable property may be your home. You likely want your children to inherit that value when you pass away. [...]