A petition was recently filed in San Diego probate court, through an attorney, by the family of James Donald Hess. They accused his new wife and former caregiver of “physically and verbally abusing him and asserting undue influence over him.” ABC 10 News San Diego reports in its story, “Family questions elderly father’s marriage to caregiver,” that Don Hess isn’t in the...
Continue ReadingThe Journal-News reports in the article, “105-year-old woman trying to help grandson gets scammed out of $4,800,” that Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser remarked that “When you steal from the elderly you are looking at a felony, we are going to pay attention to that.” Assistant Prosecutor Gloria Sigman successfully prosecuted three scammers, a couple who scammed a 105-year-old grandmother out of...
Continue ReadingKiplinger’s recent article, “Medicare Doesn’t Cover Hearing Aids but Retirees Have Options,” reminds us that hearing loss is so gradual, that you don’t really recognize it until your hearing is impaired and it becomes quite bad. There’s still a stigma attached for boomers about wearing hearing aids. As people age, they often don’t recognize hearing decline or seek treatment for it. It...
Continue ReadingWhile you may believe you’ve covered your bases by completing an advance directive detailing your preferences for end-of-life care, that may not be enough. You still need to make sure your family fully understands your wishes, updating your directive regularly and making the document easily accessible to those who need it. Kiplinger’s recent article, “Advance Directive: Ensure End-of-Life Wishes Honored,” notes that...
Continue ReadingA 2016 Fidelity study found that 38% of parents say they don’t talk to their adult children about retiring, because the conversation never comes up. Motley Fool says in its recent article, “3 Tips for Talking to Your Parents About Retirement,” that the importance of having retirement talks with your parents can’t be overstated. A Fidelity survey found that 93% of adult...
Continue ReadingThe new tax law will greatly decreases the number of people who will be subject to the federal estate tax. This does not mean you don’t need an estate plan. In fact, you need to review your plan now. Forbes’ recent article, “7 Reasons To Revisit Your Estate Plan, Trump Tax Law Aside,” says that even if one’s estate is unlikely to...
Continue ReadingJudge John M. Bailey of the Court of Appeals of Texas recently wrote the opinion in the Court’s decision in the case of “In the Estate of Mathis,” which involved a dispute arising from mediated family settlement agreement. Michael Mathis appealed a decision from a contested probate proceeding that was resolved by a mediated family settlement agreement and mutual release. The...
Continue ReadingIt’s not uncommon for families and friends to be separated by many miles and even many time zones. Even so, at some point in their lives, parents, grandparents or a loved one may require in-home care. Flagstaff Business News’ recent article, “How to Care for Loved Ones from Miles Away” reminds us that you could suddenly be faced with the challenge of...
Continue ReadingLet’s say that you and your spouse both have life insurance policies of $500,000 on each other and have no children. Each spouse is named as the primary beneficiary on the other’s policies, and the contingent beneficiaries are a brother and a niece. The issue that’s often raised, is whether the brother and the niece would be subject to...
Continue ReadingCreating a trust can help assure that assets are distributed more quickly, bills are paid promptly and continuously and personal information about property and other assets remains private. The New York Times recently published an article, “Life After Your Death? Here’s Why You Should Have a Trust.” The article explained that trusts have often been thought of a way for wealthy people...
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