Elder Abuse Continues as a Billion-dollar Problem

The official figure for elder financial fraud used by a congressional committee is around $3 billion a year, but that’s based solely on reported cases of fraud. Other estimates are 10 times that much.

What Is a ‘Survivorship’ Period?

Survivorship periods don’t usually surpass 60 days. If this period surpasses 120 days, it could put the tax-free estate transfer of assets to a surviving spouse at risk.

Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples

February 21, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

The number of unmarried couples who live together reached 18 million in 2016, a 29% jump from 14 million in 2007. Among adults age 50 and older, the increase was 75%: About four million were cohabiting in 2016, up from 2.3 million in 2007.

When Do I Need an Elder Law Attorney?

February 14, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Elder law issues can be complex. One wrong word or move can mean the difference between a good result and disaster should you become incapacitated or if other unexpected issues should occur in your senior years. An elder law attorney can help you plan for what will happen, if you should become mentally or physically incapable of taking care of yourself and your own personal business matters.

What’s Better, A Living Trust or a Will?

Last wills and testaments, which were invented centuries ago, are the most famous estate-planning documents.

Do I Need a Beneficiary for my Checking Account?

Checking accounts don't necessarily require account holders to name a beneficiary.

Do Name Changes Need to Be Made in Estate Planning Documents?

The fact is people’s names often change. People get married and divorced or sometimes just legally change their names.

An Estate Plan Will Determine How You are Remembered

Various studies show that most adults have not prepared a legal will. However, the point I’m really trying to make is that everyone has a will in a way—just not one that they have executed.

Like Going to the Dentist, Get Your Estate Plan Ready

However, if you get no further than scribbling notes or thinking about which lawyer to hire, you risk dying “intestate”—without a will that could guide your loved ones, head off family feuds and potentially save your family thousands of dollars.

How Can Beneficiary Designations Wreck My Estate Plan?

Beneficiary designations are a crucial part of estate planning, yet they are often overlooked. Once you have signed your estate planning documents, you need to make sure that your beneficiary designations are consistent with the rest of your estate plan.