How to Know When to Update Your Estate Plan

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...

Confidently Navigating Medicaid for Long-Term Care

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...

Bruce Willis: One Family’s Caregiving Story

Bruce Willis’s family recently shared their decision to move him into a one-level home designed to better meet his care needs, and it struck a chord with countless families facing similar realities. Choosing a safe and supportive living arrangement is a deeply...

The Effects of Family Caregiving on Older Adults

Most people tend to marry someone who is within a few years of their own age. As a result, many married couples share the same cultural touchstones, social memories, and general values. Certain phases of life often coincide as they grow older together, as they may...

Understanding Medicaid Pending and Denied Applications

Applying for long-term care Medicaid is often a necessity for families facing the high costs of nursing home or in-home care. But the process can be complex, and applications may be pending for weeks or months as the state reviews eligibility—or, in some cases, denied...

Missouri Long-Term Care Medicaid: What’s New as of July 1, 2025

Overview of MO HealthNet Long-Term Care Options Missouri’s Medicaid program, known as MO HealthNet, offers several care pathways for older adults needing long-term services: Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid – An entitlement program covering nursing home care for...

Beware DMV Text Scams Targeting Older Adults

Scams targeting older adults can result in significant financial losses. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), people in the United States lost $12.5 billion in scams in 2024, and older adults tended to lose more money than younger folks. Those in their 70s...

Special Needs Planning for Blended Families

The modern family is no longer defined by the nuclear model. Today, blended families – where one or both partners bring children from previous relationships – are increasingly common. So-called “nontraditional” families, including blended families, now...