Due to changes that limited federal estate tax to only high valued estates, many people believe there is no reason to set up a trust to guard their assets. However, a recent article outlines five reasons that trusts might be the right choice even for smaller estates: 1. Holding assets in trust may allow estates… Read More »
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An Estate Planning Success Story
In an article, Pat Mertz Esswein explains how her mother took all the right steps in laying out her estate plan, so that when she passed nothing was left undone and no one was left to deal with unanswered questions. Pat’s mom kept her will, power of attorney, and advanced directives accurate and up-to-date, and… Read More »
Learn From These 6 Estate Planning Mistakes of NFL Players
In honor of the Big Game, a recent article explains six of the estate planning mistakes that NFL players commonly make. While not everyone will earn as much as an NFL star, the average American can still benefit from avoiding these mistakes in their own lives. 1. Living in the present, instead of planning for… Read More »
Jim Henson Says Goodbye to His Loved Ones
Before his death, Jim Henson, the creative genius behind the much-loved Muppets, penned two letters for his loved ones to open on his death, one for his children and one for his friends and family. In 1990, Mr. Henson died at age 53 leaving family, friends, and several generations of fans and admirers to morn… Read More »
Where do tweets go when you die?
When you pass away, you might leave behind online files at a number of different online sites. A recent article provides some advice on how to include these online assets in your comprehensive estate plan. Many companies with online accounts have set policy on what to do when their users die. Facebook will delete your… Read More »
Vulnerable Aging Populations are affected by Rising Rates of Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation is a serious and ongoing issue facing seniors nationwide, with losses estimated at around $2.9 billion nationally, and Massachusetts’ aging population is not exempt. According to a recent article, the Massachusetts Protective Services authorities were contacted around 21,000 times last year on suspicions of elder abuse, with, approximately, one third of cases involved… Read More »
Lexington Providers’ Meeting – January 23, 2014
Please join us for the Lexington Providers’ Meeting at Youville Place in Lexington on Thursday, January 23, 2014. The meeting features a special presentation by Noreen Murphy, Esq., Certfied Elder Law Attorney.
Medicare Coverage: Going Home For The Holidays.
This week The Center for Medicare Advocacy issued a timely reminder: patients in a Nursing Home may leave the facility to enjoy the holidays with family without losing their Medicare coverage. Medicare’s own Policy Manual instructs facilities not to tell patients that if they leave the facility they will lose their coverage. If a nursing… Read More »
Social Security Going Up 1.5% in 2014
The Social Security Administration announced today that benefit amounts will be increasing 1.5% starting in 2014. The 1.5% increase is based on the Cost of Living (COLA), and is one the smallest increases since automatic COLA increases started in 1975. It is not a big increase, but is better than 2009 and 2010 when there… Read More »
Estate Planning For Frequent Flyer Miles
There are lots of things people include in their Will or Trust: who will care for their minor children if they can not, special documents for disabled beneficiaries, even planning for pets. But how about those frequent flyer miles that have been collecting? Can you give those to someone when you pass away? Well, the… Read More »