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If you have a child with special needs, you may be tempted to assume that if something happens to you or your partner, your other children will take care of their sibling. However, it's important to take the time now to create a legal plan for your child so that they are always protected no matter what happens.

As our family members age, taking care of their financial and medical needs becomes increasingly important. Having conversations about the realities of aging early on can help ease the emotional stress that comes with it - providing a cushion for both you and your loved ones in case any conditions like dementia set in quickly down the line. With proactive planning and by utilizing the strategies listed below, families can ensure that their older loved ones are well-supported through this stage of life.

When it comes to estate planning, many people wonder if they can simply write their wishes down in an email and have it be considered a legal Last Will and Testament. While it's true that technology has made it easier than ever to communicate our wishes and desires, an email is not typically sufficient to create a legally binding will. In order for a document to be considered a legal will, it must meet certain formal requirements that vary by jurisdiction.

As our loved ones age, it's not uncommon for them to experience a decline in mental abilities that can make it difficult for them to manage their finances effectively. If you have an older loved one, it's important to be aware of the signs of diminished capacity so that you can take action to help protect their financial well-being.

When a loved one enters hospice care, it can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. One of the most important things to consider is estate planning—which can help ensure that your loved one’s wishes are honored and surviving family members are financially cared for. The following steps can help caregivers more smoothly navigate legal issues that arise during the end-of-life process.

Even if you think your personal situation is simple enough that documents such as your Special Needs Trust can be done using a form or template on a website, at least look into an appointment with a local Dublin, Georgia estate attorney. There's a good chance that it will be less expensive than you thought.

If you are an elderly Veteran or are caring for one, it may seem daunting to know where to find help. Call or email our Dublin, Georgia, elder lawyer today, and we can help connect you with programs through the VA or other organizations to get you the help you need. 

You worked hard to provide for your spouse throughout your marriage, and you want to continue to do so well into your retirement years. When the need for nursing home care or assisted living is on the horizon, the cost of such care can weigh heavily. The good news is that asset protection planning can help alleviate this anxiety before it fully sets in. Asset protection planning allows you to protect your hard-earned resources from being quickly depleted by the high cost of long-term care.

Service dogs are specially trained to provide assistance to children with disabilities. They can be taught to support kids in a variety of unique ways that help with daily living and even help in an emergency situation. For families with disabled children, service dogs can be a lifeline.

After you’ve rung in the New Year, it’s time to start getting down to business and thinking about tax season. While it’s not the merriest time of the year, tax season is a great time to review your finances and the changes that may impact how you file.

Creating an estate plan feels like something you check off a to-do list. Once the task is complete, you can move on and forget about it. However, that is not the mentality you should take when drafting your final wishes. An estate plan should reflect your current circumstances and should be periodically reviewed and amended as your life changes.

There is no "correct choice" when choosing the beneficiaries who will inherit from you. It’s a personal decision. What must be handled “properly” however is the process of naming beneficiaries so that your loved ones can inherit what you desire for them. Let’s look at beneficiary designations in a bit more detail.

Federal estate tax law includes a provision called portability. This provision only applies to married couples. It allows the surviving spouse to use any part of their deceased spouse’s unused estate and gift tax exemption.

Planning a wedding isn’t the only part of your future you and your partner should focus on as a couple. Seniors must ensure that they create an estate plan that protects their interests and their spouse’s future.

Trusts are complex legal documents and people naturally have questions about how they should and should not be used as part of a comprehensive estate plan.

In general, middle-income seniors have income and assets that make them less likely to qualify for Medicaid. At the same time, they may not have adequate resources to pay for the rising costs of housing and care options they need.