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All in Estate Planning
As we approach Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, it’s worth remembering that reviewing your Medicare coverage is more than just a health care task—it’s also an important part of your overall estate planning strategy.
Owning property in more than one state can be a wonderful way to diversify your lifestyle or investments. Maybe you enjoy summers in the mountains and winters at the beach, or perhaps you own a family cabin in another state in addition to your primary residence. While this can enhance your quality of life, it also complicates matters when it comes to estate planning — especially the probate process.
As of July 1, 2025, South Carolina residents have a new tool for estate planning—the ability to add a Transfer on Death (TOD) designation to their vehicle titles. This simple change can help families avoid probate and ensure a smoother transfer of ownership after death.
: In 2022, the world learned that actor Bruce Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that affects speech and language. A year later, his family shared that his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare brain disorder that impacts behavior, communication, and decision-making.
Willis’ diagnosis was heartbreaking—but it also serves as a powerful reminder that incapacity can strike anyone at any time. Planning for it isn’t just smart—it’s one of the most compassionate things you can do for your loved ones.
If you’ve decided to start your estate planning journey, congratulations—you’ve taken an important step toward protecting your future and your loved ones.
But as you begin the process, you might be surprised by how many questions your attorney asks. Why do they need to know so much? Isn’t a simple will enough?
If you’ve been thinking about retirement, helping aging parents, or planning for the next phase of life, now is the time to make sure your own affairs are in order. One of the most overlooked—but most critical—steps is creating or updating your estate planning documents.
It’s easy to put it off. Life is busy, and you may feel healthy and capable. But waiting to take action can carry real, lasting consequences for you and your family.
As an elder law attorney, one of the questions I often receive from clients planning for retirement or long-term care is about annuities—what they are, how they work, and whether they’re a good fit for their estate or Medicaid planning strategy.
What if the day comes when you or your spouse is no longer able to make decisions about your health, finances, or future? Whether due to illness, injury, or age, losing the ability to manage your affairs can happen unexpectedly. In estate planning, capacity is the key factor that determines whether you can create or update essential documents like a will or power of attorney. So, how do you know when it's too late to act, and what happens if you miss your chance? Let’s explore why planning ahead is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.
You may have seen commercials for companies offering software services to monitor your property’s title for a monthly fee. While the idea may sound appealing, it’s important to understand that deed theft is uncommon. The risk of someone stealing your property is low, and even if such a crime were attempted, it is not likely to hold up legally.
Talking about death, especially one’s own death, remains a topic that most people avoid thinking about or openly discussing. However, avoiding conversations about death and end-of-life care can lead to discomfort, confusion, and unfulfilled wishes in the long run.
When considering how to pass your assets on to the next generation or other beneficiaries, you have many options. One tool in your estate planning toolkit is the transfer-on-death account.
On January 2, 2025, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act was signed into law. The legislation represents a significant step forward in supporting the needs of veterans, their families, and their caregivers.
Winter can be an enjoyable time of the year, with holidays, time with family, and winter scenery. But it can bring challenges, especially for older adults. Keeping a home warm enough can be expensive, staying warm while outside is more difficult, and driving, and even walking can be more dangerous. Here are some ways older adults can stay safe and warm during the winter months.
As we age, maintaining a secure and stable future becomes increasingly important. However, the legal, financial, and healthcare landscapes are constantly evolving, and staying informed about these changes is essential for protecting your interests. Law changes, whether local, state, or federal, can impact everything from estate planning and taxes to healthcare options and eligibility. Here’s why it’s critical to stay current with these changes and how they may affect your planning.
As we age, thoughtful planning becomes essential to ensure that our future is secure and our hard-earned assets are protected. Many seniors worry about the consequences of dying without an estate plan, but an even more pressing issue is aging without a comprehensive safety net. Without proper planning, you could face significant challenges and stress during your later years. One of the most significant concerns is the lack of a safety net as you age.
People are often surprised when I tell them that their will is a ticket to court. The common misconception is that a will is all you need. If you own, say a: house, car, bank account, some jewelry, and guns, and you are planning for your will to control their disposition, you may be unintentionally creating more work, more expense, and more drama for your loved ones.
With proper elder law planning, almost everyone can avoid the court process known as probate. A comprehensive elder law plan that includes a thoughtful combination of trusts and asset titling can avoid the hassle and risks of probate. Don’t leave your family in a bind, plan ahead now!
As the population ages and our elders encounter difficult financial, legal, and healthcare situations, the need for comprehensive planning has become evident. In this context, the role of professionals focused on these issues with a specific focus on elders becomes paramount. Certified elder law attorneys (CELAs) are equipped with the expertise to navigate the unique challenges that seniors may face.
Life estates are often used by attorneys to pass real estate to the next generation outside of the probate process. However, keep in mind that there are potential problems and risks to understand before creating a life estate. Even attorneys are often unaware of the issues surrounding life estate deeds. Continue reading to determine whether a life estate might be right for you.
When we talk about trusts, we talk about having a plan- what is going to happen in your life- out of the blue or after aging takes place? Do I have things set up so that my family is not overwhelmed by the details? Make sure your family is taken care of with a gameplan ahead of time. The legal document should correspond to your plan.
