Social Security benefits represent a large portion of most seniors’ retirement income, but because of the way the system has changed since its introduction more than 80 years ago, it is has become extremely complex and difficult to navigate. Hundreds of amendments have been made to the Social Security Act during that time, which is why it’s important to speak with an elder law attorney in Ohio to find out which Social Security options are out there and right for you. Continue reading

If you already have grandchildren or know your family will grow in the future, it makes sense to consider a 529 plan to help pay for their college education. 529 plans are set up before your grandkids even head out to college and allow you to put money aside for tuition so it will be there when they need it. There are several benefits to using this type of program with the most well-known being the possibility of locking in today’s tuition prices. With the ongoing increase in tuition, paying 2019 prices for a plan which might not be cashed in until 2032 makes good financial sense. Continue reading

Although there are several forms of Dementia, in the US, around 70% of cases are as a result of Alzheimer’s. While these figures may rise in the near future, health scientists are beginning to discover several preventive health measures that may help delay dementia in elderly citizens. Continue reading

One of the major benefits of serving in the United States armed forces is the ability to receive healthcare coverage and services through the Veterans Administration. There are many different benefits available for both veterans and their surviving spouses with varying criteria for each. For instance, wartime veterans are eligible to receive the Aid and Attendance benefit, which helps cover long-term care services. Continue reading

We all know that long-term care is expensive, especially when specialized care for diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s is needed. On average, a person can expect to pay $8,00 - $10,000 a month for a stay in a typical care center, without adding any extra costs for specialized dementia care. This is why long-term care insurance was created, but unfortunately, in most cases, it will not cover all the care required. Continue reading

Dementia is one of the most devastating conditions affecting seniors, resulting in an eventual loss of cognitive functions. While there is no cure for dementia or the two leading diseases that cause dementia, Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, there are treatments that can slow the effects and help make life more manageable. In order for these treatments to be effective, dementia must be caught early. That is why Ohio elder lawyers want people in the community to know some of the more common warning signs of dementia. Continue reading

We know that criminals and scam artists target the elderly; they are vulnerable, and con-artists prey upon them hoping for a large payday from a senior who has accumulated wealth over his or her lifetime. Our Ohio elder lawyers have outlined various steps that can be taken to protect your older loved ones from financial scams whether they come from near or far. Continue reading

Baby It’s Cold Outside! Are you noticing any concerning or alarming changes in your older loved ones over the Winter months? The Holidays and the Winter months that follow can be a challenging time for all of us. It sometimes happens that we begin to notice some initially concerning changes in our loved ones during this time. Continue reading

Seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s require a significant amount of care as the disease progresses and will typically need to receive care at a specialized dementia facility. This type of care can quickly drain resources, but it can also be covered by Medicaid. However, since Medicaid is a needs-based program, qualifying for benefits can be difficult if applicants own too many assets. Additionally, applicants may be disqualified if they made any asset transfers during the 5-year look-back period. Luckily, there are ways to reduce assets through qualified spending to ensure your loved one receives Medicaid benefits and the care they need at a specialized dementia care center. Continue reading

Many senior citizens become close with a partner, oftentimes after the passing of a spouse, but do not want to make a commitment to marriage right away. Companionship may be all they’re seeking, or they don’t want to tackle the daunting task of blended family planning. Continue reading

Entering a long-term care center is a difficult process for patients and their loved ones. Not only do they have to contend with the reasons that led them to the center and emotional toll such a stay can have on a family, but they must also consider how to pay for the care and what will happen if they cannot afford it. This last piece is one that keeps patients and loved ones up at night. Continue reading

Guardianship cases for loved ones suffering from dementia can be complicated and expensive, especially without the help or advice of an experienced Ohio elder law attorney. Each guardianship case must go through the court system, but proper planning can help the process go smoothly. Continue reading

The legal competence of a senior citizen suffering from dementia is a cause for concern, especially for loved ones who are worried about issues stemming from financial dealings and disputed inheritances. Experienced Ohio elder law attorneys are trained to determine a senior’s legal competency, even in cases when the senior suffers from dementia, because of the impact it has on long-term care planning. Continue reading

There’s more than just one type of Power of Attorney (POA) available for elder law purposes. They include medical, financial, real estate only, durable, and springing Powers of Attorney. The two most common, though, are durable and springing. The following explains everything you need to know about the two and how they impact your elder care planning. Continue reading

The thought of a spouse having Alzheimer’s and needing long-term care at a nursing home can bring on a lot of anxiety, especially when logistical concerns and care coordination issues are brought to the forefront of the move. When you throw any sort of financial planning for Medicaid eligibility into the mix, you’re just adding more stress to the situation. Continue reading

The Living Will, along with the Power of Attorney, Last Will and Testament, and Revocable Living Trust, is a core document that everyone should have when making an elder law plan. Sometimes called a medical Power of Attorney, the Living Will serves two main purposes when it comes into use when a person is incapacitated and cannot make their own health care decisions: It names health care representatives to act on the person’s behalf and informs health care providers of the person’s wishes regarding medical treatment. Continue reading

Whether you’re a spouse, child, or loved one, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is a daunting task that will impact both your professional and personal life. You’ll have to provide care for a loved one during this difficult time, while also making sure that you stay up to the task. Below are five tips to help you cope while giving care to a loved one with Alzheimer’s Continue reading

Many seniors wish to make gifts to children or other family members during their lifetimes, whether it’s in the form of cash, real estate, or tangible personal property. Besides getting to see beneficiaries enjoy their gifts, seniors can also use those gifts to reduce the size of their estate and lessen the tax burden after they pass away. But seniors must always keep in mind that there are tax consequences and considerations to those gifts, which could end up causing a lot of problems and costing a lot of money. Continue reading

A family home or vacation property is often the most valuable asset in estate. While the homeowner may want to leave their cherished property to children or other beneficiaries as an inheritance, taxes can quickly thwart well-meaning plans. Continue reading

Creating a revocable living trust is one of the best strategies for avoiding probate and leaving a lasting legacy for your family. However, the true protection afforded by a trust does not come after all the documents are signed – trusts need to be fully funded in order to make a real impact on your plans. Trust funding is one area that must be done by yourself, though experienced estate and elder law attorneys will offer advice on how to fund your trust. Continue reading

Many people dread the Ohio probate process, and rightfully so. It is a time when you must jump through legal hoops, tediously fill out paperwork, and pay undecipherable court fees – all while grieving the loss of someone close to you. It’s no wonder that many people try to do everything in their power to make sure their loved ones can avoid as much of the probate process as possible, however there are things you can do to make the probate process is a little bit more manageable. One of the most important things you can do is to simply educate yourself about the process. Continue reading

We all know that nursing home care in this country can bankrupt individuals. That’s why the federal government stepped in with programs like Medicare and Medicaid that are designed to help seniors get the care they need. However, there is one program meant specifically for veterans that is administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or VA. Continue reading

Anyone who works as their own boss, either because they own a business or take on freelance work, knows that there are many benefits to such a situation. However, there is one big potential pitfall: taking total responsibility for your own retirement plan. Businesses usually provide employees with retirement benefits such as matching contributions for 401(k) plans or pension plans (though pensions are fairly rare these days outside of public sector jobs), but these are not available for self-employed individuals. This can make it difficult to plan for retirement when you’re self-employed, but there are options out there for a self-employed retirement plan. Continue reading

Since an ILIT is an irrevocable trust, it cannot be changed or revoked by the Grantor (the person who makes the trust), and the Grantor must give up all claims of ownership to the assets held in the trust. Once a life insurance policy is transferred to the ILIT, the Grantor is no longer the owner of the policy and technically has no control over the policy or any beneficiary designations. Continue reading

Family-owned and small businesses carry a sense of pride and familiarity, not just for their proprietors and employees, but for their patrons as well. But, the sad fact is that many of these types of businesses do not make it past the second or third generation of ownership due to a lack of specific planning as to what happens after the original owner retires or passes away. Continue reading