How Do I File for a Guardianship?

No one wants to see a loved one become unable to make decisions for him or herself. If this happens, however, the court may appoint a substitute decision maker, often called a “guardian,” but in some states called a “conservator” or other term....

Nursing Homes Grapple with Whether to Force Staff to Get Vaccinated

As COVID-19 cases start to rise again due to the highly contagious Delta variant, nursing homes are considering requiring staff members to be vaccinated. Only 59 percent of nursing home staff are partially or fully vaccinated nationwide, and the percentages are much...

Be Careful Not to Name Minors as Your Beneficiaries

Most people want to pass their assets to their children or grandchildren, but naming a minor as a beneficiary can have unintended consequences. It is important to make a plan that doesn’t involve leaving assets directly to a minor. There are two main problems with...

Britney Spears Case Offers Lessons on Guardianship

Britney Spears’s legal fight to wrest back control over her personal and financial affairs has flooded the issue of guardianship in Klieg lights.  While a full guardianship may be necessary for many individuals with special needs, the Spears case underlines the option...

Estate Planning Focus: Joint Accounts

This is a difficult question and one reason to avoid joint accounts. While joint accounts permit the joint owner to manage financial affairs for the original owner, they also remain the joint owner’s property when the original owner passes away. However, in many cases...

You May Be Overestimating Your Social Security Benefits

Studies have found that workers overestimate how much they will receive in Social Security benefits when they retire. Having a good understanding of the realities can help you plan for retirement. Researchers from the University of Michigan studied the expectations of...