Real estate is often the largest asset class in estates, and titles are essential when determining how these assets behave after the death of an owner. In other words, understanding ownership types will probably be a prerequisite to understanding the role of real estate in your estate plan.  This article looks at a type of ownership you might already be familiar with if you are married: joint tenancy. However, please Read More

Alzheimer’s disease is still a complex medical problem that scientists continue to unravel. According to the National Institute on Aging, the signs of Alzheimer’s may begin as late as your mid-60s or as early as your 30s. With that kind of potential window, planning is essential to ensure the protection of your assets or the assets of your loved ones. There is never such a thing as too early when it comes to estate Read More

Perhaps you are nearing retirement age. You are beginning to think about the future, and estate planning comes to mind. You worry about your family and how they would manage if something should happen to you. A friend of yours set up a revocable trust. Would that work for you? Revocable trust basics A revocable trust is an estate planning vehicle set up to hold your assets if you die or become incapacitated. Read More

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in 2018, the average age of a U.S. veteran was 65. To give you even more perspective, the median age of even a Post-9/11 veteran is 37. Veterans, like everyone else, are aging. Tie that into service-connected disabilities, and you can quickly see how important it is to understand what sort of benefits are available to elderly veterans.  If you are a veteran, old or young, or if Read More

When you plan your estate, you can appoint a personal representative to handle your affairs. This person, sometimes called the executor, will distribute your property according to your wishes. Review the responsibilities of a personal representative so you can select an appropriate person for this important role. Settling estate debts and taxes Within 60 days of opening the estate, the personal representative must Read More

You want your aging parents to enjoy their independent lifestyle in Georgia for as long as possible. Lately, a few situations, events and changes make you wonder if you should step in and help one or both of your parents. Forbes explores scenarios that may require outside assistance to help older adults care for themselves. Know when to step in and petition for guardianship. Your parents want to sell investments or Read More

Long-term care planning is almost a necessity for most Americans today. Why? Because most of us will eventually require the medical oversight and assistance that only a long-term care facility can provide. However, most of us do not have the resources to pay for such care. Consequently, most of us likely will need to apply for Medicaid. Unfortunately, Medicaid comes with stringent qualification guidelines. For Read More

It can be deeply uncomfortable to think about worst-case scenarios in which you are unable to make your own medical decisions. However, putting a plan in place long before you need it may help to prevent loved ones from trying to make those difficult choices themselves, possibly without knowing what you really want. In Georgia, completing an Advance Directive for Health Care allows you to give specific instructions Read More

According to research from the federal Administration for Community Living, the majority of adults who are age 65 or older in 2021 will eventually need some form of long-term health care. Planning for this significant expense can help give families peace of mind. Review the most common reasons adults require long-term care to help inform this planning process. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia The ACL recommends that Read More

Perhaps the only thing more common than this term is how frequently it is misunderstood. One such reason is that it is usually discussed alongside another program called Medicaid. There are only two letters that are different between both words. Add in the idea that most people, especially when they are younger, don’t think about Medicare because they don’t use it.  If you receive a paycheck, then you are paying into Read More