We find that clients sometimes have questions about guardianship and conservatorship. With this in mind, we will provide some clarity in this post, and this is an important elder law matter. What Is Child Guardianship? Caring.com has been conducting annual surveys to keep track of the estate planning preparedness of American adults. In 2022, two-thirds … [Read More]
What Are the Benefits of a Living Trust in CT?
The benefits of a living trust in CT are considerable, and we will take a look at the subject in this post. You may be surprised when you learn about the advantages that this very effective estate planning tool will provide. Total Control One of the misconceptions about trusts in general is the idea that … [Read More]
Overlapping Estate Planning Terms Can Be Confusing
$9.1 million this year. There is no federal inheritance tax, but there are six states with state inheritance taxes. This type of tax is levied on distributions to each individual inheritor rather than the entirety of the estate. Plus, in general, there are no large exclusions, but there are exemptions. Close relatives like children, spouses, … [Read More]
Are You Prepared for Life as an Octogenarian?
As elder law attorneys, we help people prepare for the eventualities of aging. Without question, it can be difficult to envision the way you will feel when you are in your 80s. At the same time, the average lifespan for someone that is 67 is the middle 80s, so this is a life stage that … [Read More]
Will Your Legacy Plan Include Charitable Giving?
You can take a broader approach when you are planning your estate and look at it as a legacy planning endeavor. When you act in a more comprehensive manner, you help to shape the way you will be remembered after you are gone. We are going to look at charitable giving here, but first, we … [Read More]
Senior Veterans May Qualify for Special Pension
Many people that have served in the United States military make considerable sacrifices. At the same time, they are rewarded with some solid benefits. One of them is the retirement pension that is available after 20 years of service, and there is another pension that flies under the radar. Military Pension for Wartime Veterans This … [Read More]
Medicaid Planning: Can a Healthy Spouse Keep the Beneficiary’s Income?
We are going to look at a specific aspect of the Medicaid guidelines for married seniors that require nursing home care. In order to understand the implications, you have to absorb some background information about the subject, so we will start there. Long-Term Care and Medicare Since Medicare is the health insurance program that almost … [Read More]
Are There Any Connecticut Probate Shortcuts?
You should definitely know the basic facts about probate when you are making your estate planning decisions. In this post, we are going to focus on shortcuts that can circumvent the full process. However, we will start with a broad overview to help you see a complete picture. Estate Administration Most people assume that they … [Read More]
A Trust Can Facilitate Responsible Pet Ownership
Loneliness is a challenge for many seniors that have lost loved ones along the way. Clearly, a pet could make a world of difference, but responsible folks are going to have longevity concerns. Of course, you do not have to experience social isolation to benefit from pet ownership as an elder. Still, the $10,000 question … [Read More]
Elder Law Insight: High Social Security COLA Anticipated for 2023
For the most part, there is nothing good to say about inflation, and it is a frequently discussed topic these days. Many Social Security recipients are definitely impacted by rising prices, but there is some good news looming over the horizon. Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) Each year, the Social Security Administration can increase benefits … [Read More]
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