Perhaps you are in the process of revising or creating estate plans. Of utmost concern is eliminating probate court’s involvement. Though probate court is not entirely avoidable, there are strategies you can use to minimize its involvement to ensure a timely dispersal of your heirs’ inheritances. Not anticipating potential matters that could arise and interfere with the administration of your estate can lead to Read More

If your spouse needs nursing home care, he or she may be eligible for assistance through Georgia’s nursing home Medicaid program. To qualify for this program, your spouse must meet certain strict income and asset limits. However, this does not mean that you will need to give up your home or the income you need to maintain your own living expenses. If you do not need nursing home care, but your spouse does, Medicaid Read More

Too many people adopt a “one-and-done” attitude when it comes to their estate plans. This can backfire on them and their heirs significantly. As life changes, so too might a person’s wishes for their assets. Many situations necessitate a good review of all elements in an estate plan to ensure a person’s wishes accurately reflect their current life realities. Family member changes Children grow up, get married and Read More

Long-term care planning may serve as a means for you to choose a residential facility or care center if and when you require an assisted living arrangement. As noted by U.S. News and World Report, a long-term care plan may include instructions regarding your custodial care and a method for paying the cost of your residence. Your estate documents may provide instructions for a trustee to finance your chosen residence. Read More

If you have worked hard throughout your life and built up a sizable estate, you undoubtedly want to make sure that it is distributed how you want when the time comes. Without careful planning, however, a significant percentage of it will go directly to the federal government in the form of an estate tax. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help reduce your estate taxes.  Make Gifts to Loved Ones For many Read More

As a Georgia resident who has poured time and care into your estate, you want to take your time with your estate plan. This means starting it early – likely much earlier than you think you need to. As you build your estate plan from the base up, you need to closely examine your picks for an executor. After all, they will be at the helm of your estate plan. Personal compatibility with your executor Huffpost looks at Read More

No one wants to leave their home behind. It is a familiar and cherished place where they made memories with their loved ones. This is why it is understandable that your aging parents may strongly oppose transitioning into an assisted living facility or nursing home. You and your family might not want to see your parent relocated either – but what if it is in their best interests? Sometimes, being a full-time Read More

There are plenty of difficult tasks people put off, despite the benefits of completing them. Things like starting a workout routine, reorganizing the basement or quitting a bad habit may not be easy, but they are often valuable in the long run. Creating an estate plan also falls into this category. But before you push this to the bottom of your list of priorities, consider the following reasons why it can be crucial Read More

Before the 2000s, most people never consider their email account or AOL login as critical information for your estate plan. But the world has drastically changed over the last two decades, mostly due to the internet. In 2020, it’s critical to think about how your footprint on the internet affects your legacy. It includes managing your online social media platforms and digital accounts. But how does that work in an Read More

Some parents insist on going into assisted living as soon as possible. They may have taken care of a parent or other ailing family member and refuse to pass that responsibility on to you. Other parents may feel an aversion to the thought of going into nursing homes and may even make you promise to never place them in one. At some point, however, you need to decide what the future may hold. The sooner you have the Read More