We all know the basic premise. Cinderella’s father adores his young daughter, but he is concerned about his ability to raise her alone after her mother dies. So, he marries ��a woman of good family” who also has two young daughters just Cinderella’s age. The father...
Estate Planning
7 Tips for Helping Families with Special Needs
This week we examine the unique planning requirements of families with children, grandchildren or other family members (such as parents) with special needs. There are numerous misconceptions in this area that can result in costly mistakes when planning for special...
An Overview of the Defense of Marriage Act Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a historic decision in U.S. v. Windsor [1] that could have far-reaching effects on seniors, persons with disabilities, and veterans who are married to, or plan to marry, a person of the same gender. This edition of the ElderCounselor™...
The Staggering Costs of Dementia
Most of us know of someone who has been diagnosed with dementia. It is a costly, heart-breaking and life-altering syndrome that is nearly doubling in numbers of people affected worldwide every 20 years [1]. Dementia has affected the likes of Norman Rockwell, E.B....
The Top 10 Benefits of a Comprehensive Power of Attorney
The benefits of a highly detailed, comprehensive power of attorney are numerous. Unfortunately, many powers of attorney are more general in nature and can actually cause more problems than they solve, especially for our senior population. A proper starting point is...
Estate Planning for Pets
The idea of including pets in an estate plan might raise some eyebrows, but it is an important and growing trend in estate planning law. Pet owners love their pets and want them to be happy and healthy. Just like parents of minor children, pet owners should consider...
What Happens to Your Online Life at Death?
What About All That Online Stuff? It’s easy to lose track of how much our lives are intertwined with the worldwide web. We spend hours and hours documenting our existence these days, with videos, pictures, and written content uploaded to our online accounts in...
Having the Big (Financial) Talk with Parents
Your client's parents have been there for their children all their lives. Now that they’re nearing retirement age, it’s time to return the favor — especially when it comes to their financial well-being.CNNMoney suggests families should talk about their elders’...
How Estate Planning is Essential for Women
With Mother’s Day still very close in our rearview mirror, let’s talk about women, estate planning, and long term care. Preparing for the future is obviously important to both men and women, but many women have some special considerations to make. For married women,...
A Friendly Guide to Selecting the Perfect Senior Living Facility
For many of us, there will come a time to begin looking for a home that offers a higher level of safety and security. For some, help with medication will be the catalyst for moving to a senior living facility. For others, desire for more socialization and activities...

