End-of-Life Care Decision Making

Just as we create estate plans for our eventual demise, we also need to plan ahead for the possibility that we will become sick and unable to make our own medical decisions. Medical science has created many miracles, among them the technology to keep patients alive...

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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. A guardian is only...

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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...

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The Need for Medicaid Planning

One of the greatest fears of older Americans is that they may end up in a nursing home. While we are blessed with excellent skilled nursing communities in the Kansas City area, these options may not be found everywhere. Transitioning to a skilled nursing community not...

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