The Legal Checkup Blog

This Black Friday, purchase an Estate Plan instead ...

Posted by Judith Flynn on Fri, Nov 22, 2013 @ 14:11 PM

I have seen it reported that consumers spent $59.1 BILLION last year on Black Friday.  $59.1 BILLION! 

This number is staggering to me, and even more so when I consider the significant portion of these sales that likely represents well-intentioned, but useless, gifts.  So many items will be returned because they are the wrong size, the wrong style, or just not something the recipient wants or needs.

 

Even worse, how many of you have received something that you would never wear or use, but you did not return it because you did not want to hurt the giver's feelings?  Perhaps you re-gifted the item the next year, but let's face it - there is a great deal of waste around the holidays, and the true meaning behind the gifting has been stampeded in a rush to get the best prices.

 

What concerns me even more is that many people take out loans or make these purchases on credit cards, digging themselves deeper into debt in the process.  This is not what the holidays are supposed to be about.  Thanksgiving is a perfect time to reflect as a family, and to take steps to put the meaning back in the holidays.

 

You may want to consider setting a dollar limit, or having a grab to reduce the number of gifts each person needs to buy.  You might consider implementing a new charitable tradition that the entire family can feel good about, such as making or purchasing items for nursing home residents who may not have family of their own, or for homeless families.  You could conduct a food drive to replenish the food pantries that are always in need, or send items to our troops who are in harm's way to protect our country.  The possibilities are endless, and these gifts are always the perfect fit.

 

Let me offer another suggestion.  Before you and your family spend hundreds of dollars on things you probably don't need, consider putting the money towards something you should all have in place.  If every member of your family age 18 and older does not have a basic estate plan in place, consider spending on that instead.  At the very least, you should each have a Durable Power of Attorney and a Health Care Proxy with a HIPAA Release, appointing one or more agents to make health and financial decisions for you if you become unable to do so.

 

You can get additional information on my website about estate planning, long-term care planning, and other services. 

 

www.TheLegalCheckUp.com 

 

Whether you will be part of the Black Friday stampede or collecting items for others, I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Tags: long-term care, asset protection, elder law, Legal Check Up, Legal Documents, Estate Planning, disability planning, Community Care, family, loved ones, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Proxy, Last Will & Testament, long-term care planning

THE LEGAL CHECK UP BOOT CAMP (c) - FALL WORKSHOP COMING SOON!

Posted by Judith Flynn on Tue, Sep 18, 2012 @ 22:09 PM

Note:  Rockland and Mansfield Boot Camps are fully booked!  We are maintaining a wait list and an additional date will be added when filled. 

IT'S BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND AND SURE TO "SELL OUT" QUICKLY ... 

THE LEGAL CHECK UP BOOT CAMP (c)

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you are young, a boomer or a senior, single, married (traditional or same-sex), divorced, have children or not, have a family member with special needs, want to leave your estate to your pets ... whatever your situation, you need a comprehensive assessment and and an Estate Plan that is just right for you. Depending on your goals and your situation, your plan might focus on probate avoidance, tax minimization, asset protection, or special needs planning.

"I don't have enough to worry about" you say?

Well, be aware that whether you are wealthy, barely getting by, or somewhere in the middle -- there are basic documents you need to have in place in the event you become temporarily or permanently unable to act for yourself due to a physical or mental incapacity.

You can't afford not to have these basic documents in place in the event of an emergency.  If you don't have basic disability documents that appoint an agent to act on your behalf in such cases, your loved ones would need to petition the probate court for a guardianship and/or conservatorship to obtain the authority to act on your behalf.  These court processes can cost thousands of dollars.

So, delay no more.    

Come and learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your assets in the event of disability or death.

Not just another boring seminar ... in this free, comprehensive workshop you will learn every thing you need to know about Estate and Long-Term Care Planning.  Part of the workshop will be interactive to allow attendees to discuss particular problems, concerns and situations.

This workshop will cover:

* what estate planning documents you need in the event of disability;

* what estate planning documents you need in order to achieve your goals and objectives;

* how to properly select Agents, Personal Representatives, and Trustees;

* whether you need a Will, a Trust, or both;

* long-term care costs and payment options (Medicare, VA benefits, Long-Term Care Insurance, Private Pay and Medicaid);

* how to protect your home and other assets;

* how to provide for your child with special needs in a way that improves his or her quality of life without disrupting eligibility for public benefits;

Each attendee will receive a workbook and will "graduate" from the Boot Camp with a detailed, comprehensive plan of action.

The Fall workshops will be offered during the day (from 12-3 pm) and in the evening (from 5-8 pm).  Seating is limited to 12 in each session in order to provide individualized guidance to each attendee.  Session dates will be posted soon, but preference will be given to those who pre-register at:

http://www.thelegalcheckup.com/legal-check-up-boot-camp-registration/

 

Tags: PACE, home care, long-term care, asset protection, elder law, Legal Check Up, Legal Documents, Estate Planning, disability planning, Medicare, Community Care, Elder Financial Abuse, family, loved ones, Medicaid, Medicaid Home Care, improvement standard, undue influence, rights, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Proxy, Last Will & Testament, nursing home, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PAC, Veterans Benefits, long-term care planning

THE LEGAL CHECK UP BOOT CAMP (C)

Posted by Judith Flynn on Sun, Jan 15, 2012 @ 15:01 PM

I've heard many excuses for putting off long-term care planning, including:

Because ...

"I'm never going to a nursing home."

"I have Medicare."

"I have my child's name on all of my accounts, so the state won't count those funds"

"I'm a veteran, so the VA will take care of all of my long-term care needs."

"My kids will take care of me."

"I don't have enough assets to worry about."

"I put my daughter's name on all of my accounts and she will divide everything equally among all my kids when I die."

"I have my assets in a revocable trust, so they are protected."

"I am leaving everything to my son so he can take care of my child with special needs."

"I don't want to hurt any body's feelings so I just won't do any thing."

"I'll do it LATER."

You've probably used a few that aren't on this list too.  But, guess what?  LATER has come. LATER is TODAY. 

The Elder Law Office of Judith M. Flynn has developed a new workshop to help seniors get their affairs in order.  The Legal Check Up Boot Camp (c) is a free, comprehensive workshop to give seniors all the knowledge they need about Estate and Long-Term Care Planning.

This workshop will empower the attendees to stop procrastinating and finally take control of the decisions they have been avoiding for too long.

This four-hour workshop will be taught in two sessions of two hours each.  Part of the workshop will be interactive to allow attendees to discuss particular problems, concerns and situations.

This workshop will cover:

*what estate planning documents you need in order to achieve your goals and objectives;

* how to properly select Agents, Executors, and Trustees;

* whether you need a Will, a Trust, or both;

* long-term care costs and payment options (Medicare, VA benefits, Long-Term Care Insurance, Private Pay and Medicaid)

* how to protect your home and other assets; 

Each attendee will receive a workbook and will "graduate" from the Boot Camp with a detailed, comprehensive plan of action.

For more details about the Boot Camp or to register, go to:

http://www.thelegalcheckup.com/seminars-and-workshops/

 



Tags: PACE, home care, long-term care, asset protection, elder law, Legal Check Up, Legal Documents, Estate Planning, disability planning, Medicare, Community Care, family, Medicaid, Medicaid Home Care, skilled services, rights, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Proxy, Last Will & Testament, nursing home, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PAC, Veterans Benefits, Personal Care Assistance Program

PEACE of MIND Gift Certificates are the perfect stocking stuffers!!

Posted by Judith Flynn on Mon, Dec 19, 2011 @ 18:12 PM

The holidays are a perfect time to give the gift of Peace of Mind.  PEACE of MIND gift certificates provide you with an easy way to initiate a positive conversation about estate and long-term care planning, and encourage your loved ones to get their affairs in order.

Your loved ones will not be offended by this thoughtful gift that still leaves them in control.  Best of all, it will not need to be returned because it  is the wrong size or color (although it can be returned if they choose not to use it, of course).

Exclusively from the Elder Law Office of Judith M. Flynn, PEACE of MIND Gift Certificates may be purchased in any dollar amount, or for specific services such as:  

* a Legal Check Up;

* Estate Planning Package (including Probate Avoidance and Tax Minimization);

* Asset Protection Package

* Special Needs Planning Package;

* College Student Health Care Proxy/Durable Power of Attorney Package.

Contact us today to learn more at http://www.thelegalcheckup.com/contact-us/

Tags: long-term care, asset protection, elder law, Legal Check Up, Legal Documents, Estate Planning, disability planning, Medicare, family, Medicaid, Medicaid Home Care, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Proxy, Last Will & Testament, nursing home

The Importance of Basic Estate Planning Documents

Posted by Judith Flynn on Mon, Sep 19, 2011 @ 21:09 PM

Most people have conducted some level of estate planning at some point in their lives. Estate planning typically involves a plan for distribution of one’s assets during life and at death. Estate planning for elders is a bit more complicated due to the natural changes that aging brings, and requires consideration of potential changes in mental or physical condition. In addition to a Will, effective planning requires that you appoint someone to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This is achieved with a Durable Power of Attorney (for finances) and a Health Care Proxy (for health care).  These documents grant your agent the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you are ever unable to speak for yourself. It is important that you execute these important documents while you are competent to ensure that your wishes are upheld. These documents may also help to avoid the necessity for costly guardianship proceedings in the probate court in the future if you become incapacitated. Following is a brief summary of these essential documents.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

A Durable Power of Attorney grants your Agent the authority to act on your behalf in financial and related matters. A Power of Attorney is not sufficient for elder law purposes unless it is Durable, which means it remains effective after the principal becomes incapacitated. The Durable Power of Attorney must be comprehensive, enumerating many specific powers. (If you have a Durable Power of Attorney that is only a page or two long, it is probably not sufficient for many common issues elders face.) There are specific clauses that must be included in order to be effective for many common situations that elders face.  A qualified Elder Law Attorney will be able to discuss these with you and ensure that your Durable Power of Attorney will be honored by third parties (banks, brokerage companies, the Internal Revenue Service, etc.).

The most common Durable Powers of Attorney grant the Agent the right to act immediately, but they can also be drafted to grant “springing” powers to your Agent. A Durable Power of Attorney with springing powers will grant your Agent authority to act only after one or two physicians certify your inability to act on your own behalf. Unfortunately, third parties are often more cautious in dealing with documents with springing powers, so your Agent may have difficulty acting on your behalf with a springing Durable Power of Attorney.

It is important that you trust your Agent completely, and you should understand that your Agent has a legal duty to act in your best interests. If you are uncomfortable with granting immediate authority, however, there is another option. You may execute a Durable Power of Attorney that grants your Agent immediate powers to act on your behalf, but have your attorney hold the documents in “escrow” until your Agent presents proof of your incapacity. This avoids the heightened scrutiny from banks and other institutions, but affords you the added comfort and security you desire.

HEALTH CARE PROXY

A Health Care Proxy grants your Agent authority to make health care decisions on your behalf, but only after you have been deemed incapable of making or communicating decisions for yourself. It is a springing power by definition. It is important that you discuss your wishes with your Agent so that they may communicate your wishes if you are not able to. Unlike a Durable Power of Attorney, your health care Agent should make decisions that you would make if you were able, rather than decisions that he or she thinks are best. Your Agent can only fulfill this duty, however, if you take the time to inform them of your wishes.

In addition, because your Health Care Proxy is a “springing” document, your document should include a clause granting your Agent immediate authority to act on your behalf under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). HIPAA was enacted to give individuals greater protection over their medical records, but there may be circumstances in which you need your Agent to assist you regarding your medical records before your Health Care Proxy springs into effect.

LIVING WILLS

Although Living Wills are not enforceable in Massachusetts, it is still recommended that you execute one as a written expression of your wishes regarding artificial feeding or respiration, invasive surgery, etc. If there is ever a dispute about your care in the future, the Court can rely on your Living Will as evidence of what you would want.  (Remember the recent case of Terry Schiavo … her husband and her parents disagreed as to whether she would want to be artificially sustained. If she had executed a Living Will, the court could have relied on it to determine what she would have wanted.)

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT

Your Will designates who the beneficiaries of your estate will be. If you and your spouse have “Sweetheart” Wills (each of you leaves everything to your beloved spouse …), consider drafting new Wills which could protect your assets if one of you requires nursing home care. There are strategies you can employ that will ensure that your spouse benefits from your estate if you predecease him or her, without leaving your estate vulnerable to the cost of nursing home care. In addition, if you have a disabled child you will want to make specific provisions in your Will to provide for that child without causing a disqualification from any public benefits he or she is entitled to.

So, dust off that old estate plan and give it a fresh look since your situation has probably changed significantly since you last reviewed it. If you have never done any estate planning documents, now is the time. Take greater control of your future -- call us at 781-681-6638 to schedule a Legal Check Up.

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Tags: asset protection, elder law, Legal Check Up, Legal Documents, Estate Planning, disability planning, lack of capacity, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Proxy, Last Will & Testament