If you’ve spent any time researching estate planning, you’ve probably heard one consistent message: “Avoid probate.” And yes - thoughtful estate planning can often help families minimize or avoid probate through tools like trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper...

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration will lead the seventh annual National “Slam the Scam” Day — a nationwide effort to raise awareness about government imposter scams. This awareness day is part of...

When a loved one moves into a nursing home, assisted living community, or other long-term care setting, families want reassurance that their voice - and their loved one’s voice - will be heard. In both Kansas and Missouri, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program serves...

Long-term care insurance can provide necessary financial support when someone needs help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or eating, whether they live at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home. However, when the time comes to use...

Though many Americans have adequate retirement savings, many others plan to work longer – or feel they cannot stop working – simply to afford retirement. However, about 40 percent of workers will have to quit their jobs earlier than expected because of a disability....

As of the 2025 tax year, many older Americans may realize a new tax benefit thanks to a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The law, signed in July 2025, created a new annual tax deduction of up to $6,000 for taxpayers age 65 and older. Though the deduction...

Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your legacy. Yet for many families, the process can feel overwhelming, emotional, or deceptively simple - leading them to delay planning or attempt a...

Most Americans aged 65 and older will need some form of long-term care in their later years. The cost of such care has been steadily increasing. In 2024, the average monthly cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home was $9,277. Thankfully, Medicaid provides a...

When an older adult with dementia or another cognitive disability can no longer make important decisions for themselves, such as how to manage their money or what kind of care they need, a trusted person may have to step in and make these decisions for them. If...

Starting January 1, 2026, more individuals with disabilities will be eligible to open tax-advantaged ABLE accounts, thanks to an update to federal law. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act will extend the maximum age at which one can develop a disability and be eligible for an...

Social Security is best known as a retirement program, but it does far more than provide monthly income for retired workers. It also protects families by extending benefits to spouses, widows, widowers, and children when a worker retires, becomes disabled, or dies....

Beginning January 1, 2026, Kansas will implement major updates to its guardianship and conservatorship laws. These reforms modernize how the courts appoint and oversee guardians and conservators (i.e. the people who help manage personal or financial decisions when...

When most people hear the term Special Needs Trust (SNT), they think of individuals with lifelong disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, or intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). While these trusts are indeed vital for those communities, their...

Creating an estate plan is one of the most important steps a person can take to provide for their loved ones and ensure their wishes are carried out. But drafting a will, trust, or related documents is not a “one-and-done” event. Life changes, and so should your...

Planning for long-term care can feel overwhelming, whether you are preparing for a senior family member or exploring Medicaid for yourself. With the right guidance, the process can be smooth, strategic, and empowering. Shepherd Elder Law Group brings extensive...