Tips on Choosing Guardians for Your Children

Choosing guardians is one of the most difficult decisions for parents. No parent wants to think about not being there for their children and no one can ever truly take your place. However, failing to make a selection can leave it up to the courts, which couldn’t possibly be any better a decision than what […]

Characteristics of a Good Guardian for Your Children

There are many different ways to look at guardianship. In our previous blog post, we mentioned personal values, geography, adaptability, and desire as important factors. Looking beyond that, there are many personal characteristics that make a difference as well. Some of these are difficult to even consider, but necessary nonetheless. Here are a few characteristics […]

Using a 1031 Exchange to Defer Capital Gains Taxes

1031 exchanges offer tax savings when selling and buying investment properties. It encourages reinvestment in the real estate market by deferring capital gains taxes on the sale of one property when the funds are put directly towards the purchase of another property. If you are both selling and buying an investment property, consider using a […]

5 Ways to Reduce or Eliminate Capital Gains Taxes on Investment Properties

Investment properties are a great way to build wealth and accumulate assets for retirement. To maximize your return on investment, it is important to carefully plan out the sale of a property and reduce potential taxes, such as capital gains taxes. Below are a few ways to reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes on investment […]

Use a Lawyer for Medicaid Planning

Many seniors and their families don’t use a lawyer to plan for long-term care or Medicaid, often because they’re afraid of the cost. However, an attorney can help you save money in the long run and make sure you’re getting the best care for your loved one. Instead of proceeding based on what you’ve heard […]

Prenups as an Estate Planning Tool

As more and more people marry more than once, prenuptial agreements have become an important estate planning tool. Without a prenuptial agreement, your new spouse may be able to invalidate your existing estate plan. Such agreements are especially helpful if you have children from a previous marriage or important heirlooms that you want to keep […]

Prevent Mistaken Medicare Denials

Have you or a loved one been denied Medicare- covered services because you’re “not improving”? Many health care providers are still unaware that Medicare is required to cover skilled nursing and home care even if a patient is not showing improvement. If you are denied coverage based on this outdated standard, you have the right […]

Is it legal to put a camera in a nursing home room?

Medicaid Assessment and Application Process® - Step 6 results

Technological advances have made it easier to stay connected with family. That includes the ability to install cameras in a loved one’s nursing home room, but these so-called “granny cams” have legal and privacy implications. The benefit of the surveillance camera is the ability to monitor your family member’s care. Being able to observe care […]

Should You Leave Siblings Unequal Shares of Your Estate?

When you’re reviewing your estate plan, it’s important to think about how to divide your estate among your children. While you don’t need to leave siblings equal shares, be aware that inheriting unequal amounts can cause arguments among children after you pass. To avoid disagreements from the get-go, you may want to leave your children […]

Updating Estate Planning Documents at Divorce

The story of a divorcing couple in Arizona demonstrates why you need to update your estate plan at divorce. The couple, who were in their early 40s and had been married for several years, had created a multimillion dollar business together. When they filed for divorce, the process became bitter and full of disagreements about […]