Many Georgia residents and others associate matters of estate with signing a will. While signing a last will and testament is a common part of the estate planning process, there are many other types of documents and issues involved in executing a solid estate plan. It is never too early to learn as much as possible about the process; in fact, for those age 50 and beyond, it is often a crucial aspect of long-term Read More

It’s natural for older people in Georgia or elsewhere to want to cling to every bit of independence they can. This often leads to a struggle between aging parents and their loved ones who may try to convince them that the time has come to transition into an assisted living environment. In fact, approximately 25 percent of the senior citizens surveyed in one group had no personal control over their move to an assisted Read More

If there is anything more magical and moving than being a parent, it may be becoming a grandparent. Much like with your children, you want the best possible future for your grandchildren. What’s best can quickly become complicated if your grandchild has special needs. Whether the condition is congenital or acquired through disease or trauma, it is likely that special needs will affect your grandchild’s life Read More

Being a parent often means putting the needs of your child before yourself. All parents have to make sacrifices and changes to their lifestyle to provide for their children. Parents of special-needs children often have to do exceptional things to protect their children and their best interests as they grow up. Unfortunately, the strain of raising special needs children can often undermine the relationship that Read More

Elder law covers a variety of issues. Many Georgia families are currently exploring their options regarding asset protection, advance medical directives or building trusts. Where the latter is concerned, there are options within the options, meaning there isn’t just one type of trust. Determining whether an irrevocable or other trust best fits one’s particular needs may be easier if experienced guidance is Read More

In many ways, growing old is the physiological opposite of growing up as a child. Children rapidly become taller as they approach adolescence. Older adults may experience compacting of the spine and joint issues that lead them to shrink in height over time. Children strive toward independence, both social and financial, while older adults begin to move from pure independence back into reliance on loved ones. As a Read More

Many Georgia elders are currently living with degenerative or acute adverse health conditions that make it impossible for them to function independently throughout the day. They may need help performing personal hygiene tasks or, perhaps, with cooking, cleaning or other day-to-day matters. Assisted living facilities provide much-needed care for thousands of aging men and women; however, before choosing a facility, Read More

Georgia elders often have a lot on their minds as they transition to assisted living care or make plans to organize the legal documents that will provide for their heirs and beneficiaries once they themselves have died. While some people try to avoid discussions about mortality, others realize that the estate planning process is, for the most part, an integral part of life that needs to be addressed in order to help Read More

Your health care directive will clearly state the wishes you have for your medical care in the even that you become incapacitated. In the majority of cases, medical providers and doctors must follow the terms you have laid out in this legal document. Doctors must also follow the orders of the individual you named to serve as the agent in charge of your health care, in most cases. Nevertheless, there are certain Read More

Many Georgia residents are adult children of aging parents. While some are helping their loved ones with long-term care planning issues, others are doing their best to help their mothers or fathers transition to assisted-living facilities. There are also many adult children who are dealing with the ravages of mental illness in the very people who loved and cared for them their whole lives. A certain degree of mental Read More