Category: Disability

Ways to Prepare for Disability

By the year 2050, experts estimate that 277 million older Americans will be dependent on another person. This dependence will largely be due to increasing instances of dementia in varying forms. A recent article discusses several things a person can do to protect him or herself from the possibility that he or she will suffer[...]

Durable power of attorney: It’s a matter of trust

All of us in New Jersey just got a harsh, harsh lesson in preparing for emergencies. As my family and I left for the warmth (and hot showers at the homes) of family in Delaware, folks without a place to crash were left to fend for themselves as they tried to outlast the effects of[...]

Estate Planning Myths & Misconceptions – Myth #3 – An Estate Plan Is Not A Will

Most people think of "doing estate planning" as the act of creating and signing a will. While in some cases, a will is the best instrument, you can't get to that answer without engaging in a comprehensive process where the lawyer gets to learn about you and your family, your goals and desires, your values[...]

Talking To Your Family About Your Estate Plan

Many clients finish planning their estate with me and then ask me what they should tell and to whom. As you might expect, the answer depends on where the client is in life and on the specific life circumstances for which we've planned. Families With Minor Children For families with minor children, I urge parents[...]

Guardianship of Children With Special Needs

Two good posts coming from Leanna Hamill in Massachusetts and Tredway, Lumsdaine & Doyle in California on planning for children with special needs.  Among the excellent suggestions are the following: Special Needs Trust - allowing parents, grandparents and guardians to provide funds for a special needs child without disrupting eligibility for government aid. Exploring the[...]