Estate Planning Articles

Why Does Estate Planning Matter to Your Clients?

Posted by Robert L. Arone In 2008, Congress recognized the need for the public to understand the importance and benefits of estate planning by passing House Resolution 1499, which designated the third week of October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Nevertheless, according to a 2019 survey carried out by Caring.com, 57% of adults in the United States have not prepared any estate planning documents such as a will or trust despite the fact that 76% viewed them as important. Many of the respondents said this was due to procrastination, but many others mistakenly believed that it was not necessary because they did not have many assets. Estate Planning Awareness Week is a great reminder of the need to explain what estate planning is to your clients and why it is crucial for them not to delay putting an estate plan in place, regardless of the size of their estate. What

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How seniors can keep busy by working from home

Posted by Gerald J. Turner – Working Americans often dream of the day when they can retire and wind it down after decades of punching a clock. But this is to be expected — who would not want to rid themselves of the daily rat race which probably includes getting up early dressing in uncomfortable clothes, and fighting traffic on the daily commute? But when the time finally comes, many seniors find that something unexpected occurs. They miss the sense of purpose and social interaction they received from working every day. For these people, and for seniors whose financial situation necessitates it, returning to work is a way to feel great and earn extra money on the side. Many retirees have found it a positive experience to work from home. Working from home can alleviate numerous stressors of working life, including the grind of driving to and from work, and

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Conservators, guardianship, and durable powers of attorney

Conservators, guardianship, and durable powers of attorney – what are the differences, which ones do I need, and why should I care? Each of these tools allows a person to make decisions for another individual whom may or may not be able to make decisions for themselves. Conservator A conservator is a person appointed by a Court to control the financial and personal affairs of an adult who can not adequately do so for themselves. An adult may voluntarily allow someone to act as conservator. In the alternative, a conservator may be appointed by the court if an incapacitated adult cannot or refuses to agree. The court may designate a relative or friend to act as conservator, but in cases of family strife or in the absence of a suitable person, a disinterested party like an attorney or social worker may be appointed. Guardian In some jurisdictions, conservators are called

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What seniors should know about eyesight and aging

Posted by Gerald J. Turner – As we grow older, our eyesight is one of the things that begins to change. While the majority of the time a senior citizen’s eyesight will never diminish to the point where they cannot function properly, you should be prepared for any vision related problems that you experience as a senior and learn how to confront them. Ophthalmologists agree that the age of 60 is when significant vision related problems generally decide to show up. The bad news is that many of these eye issues do not present any warning signs. The good news? Most are treatable. Below are a few common age-related eye and vision problems and how to treat them. Cataracts are a relatively common vision problem among senior citizens, and present as cloudy areas in the lens of one or both eyes. Blurry vision usually follows, as does a decreased sensitivity

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Grandkids off to college? Tips on helping them pay

Posted by Gerald J. Turner – Many grandparents want to help their grandchildren pay for their education. However, the cost of a college education is on the rise, making funding a student’s education a real sacrifice, especially for those moving toward retirement or living on a fixed-income. College financial-aid and student loan regulations are also changing rapidly, and qualifying for need-based financial aid can be tricky. That’s why it is important for students, parents, and grandparents to be on the same page about funding a young person’s college experience. Here’s how to help the student while still getting the most out of need-based aid: 1. Take advantage of a parental 529 savings plan, but make sure it belongs to the parent or student. If you’re thinking about helping a student pay for college, then you have probably heard of a 529 plan. If a 529 belongs to the parent or

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