AL Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog

What is Elder Abuse?

 Elder abuse is a problem that takes many forms. Unfortunately, many seniors are subjected to elder abuse and often times the abuse goes unreported and the abuser goes unpunished. Elder abuse may take the form of physical abuse, include hitting, striking, beating, kicking, and using excessive force. This may also include the overuse of restraints or drugs.

 Emotional or psychological abuse is also a common form of elder abuse.

Alzheimer's disease is becoming more prevalent among aging Americans, and there are more aging Americans than ever before. Alzheimer’s disease has three typical biomarkers: plaques of beta-amyloid protein, tangles of tau protein, and loss of connections in the synapses that communicate information between brain cells. Now a simple blood test may be able to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s years before any symptoms, like memory and thinking decline, become apparent. The test involves the identification of changes in levels of Read more . . .

We, lawyers, prepare powers-of-attorney documents so that when our clients can no longer act for themselves, the documents will convey on other trusted people the authority to act on our clients’ behalf.

 But when it comes to actually using those documents at the time of a health-care crisis, clear and powerful documents are just the beginning. The decision-points can (and must) be put down on paper in advance, but when it comes to end-of-life situations, the clarity on which we lawyers thrive can be very hard to find.

 Sitting in her lawyer’s office, the client may have been quite certain about health-care decisions. She does not want her life prolonged by a battery of aggressive treatments, where these would not preserve her quality of life.

Your senior years should not be plagued with money woes. The stress that money problems bring not only ruins your aging experience but can also be disastrous to your health. Rising health care costs and your increased need for health care can add up to big bills that can further tax your health. To age well, you must use sound financial judgment as well as make healthy choices for your body and mind. The goal is to remain as healthy as you can for as long as you can and have a healthy bank account to support those goals.

The summer months offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy being outside with friends and family. The elevated temperatures, however, can present dangerous risks for seniors that do not necessarily apply to younger people. These heat-related health risks are collectively known as hyperthermia, as opposed to hypothermia, the latter which occurs when the body temperature becomes too low.
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Hurricanes threaten Alabama residents every year when they begin to form in the Atlantic, and they often cause widespread damage when they hit. As residents begin the difficult task of preparing for a storm to hit or rebuilding their homes, businesses, and communities in the wake of the storms, bad actors can arrive looking to take advantage of the situation and can prey on unsuspecting people. 

Unfortunately, seniors are often targets for malevolent scammers. In fact, Read more . . .

Did you know the rules governing the VA Pension program changed toward the end of this past year? On October 18, 2018, there were several substantial changes to the operation of the program and how eligibility would be determined in the future for potentially eligible veterans and their dependents. As we look to the future of Alabama residents who need long-term care, we need to consider all of the possible benefits available to them,  and this includes the VA Pension.

What is the VA Pension program? At its core, the VA Pension program is a monthly, tax-free income benefit available to servicemen and women who have a qualifying service record.  It is a benefit that is substantially different from other monies available to veterans and their dependents. In contrast with the disability program where there must be a service connected injury that was caused by or made worse by service, there is no injury associated with this benefit.
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When we first meet with clients to prepare an estate plan, often, one of the primary goals is to avoid probate. Many people do not know, however, that even if you successfully prepare to avoid probate in your home state, without the proper planning, any property you own outside of your state may be subject to a specific type of probate proceeding called ancillary probate. To help better inform you about this type of probate proceeding, let us share with you a few common questions we receive from clients about ancillary probate.

What is ancillary probate?

Ancillary probate is a special type of probate proceeding that may be required in addition to a state probate proceeding. This is true if you own real property or other assets that are attached in a state outside of your home state.
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Every year on June 15th, the United Nations, governments around the world, and legal professionals in communities across the globe gather to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. One of the purposes of this important day is to promote education and help prevent the growing epidemic of abuse occurring against vulnerable older populations.

It is no small problem.

It is a common misconception that Estate Planning is just for wealthy people, while Elder Law is only for aging adults and seniors. In reality, however, neither is true. Everyone can benefit from thinking ahead to the future and planning accordingly, regardless of age. We know that planning for the future can be overwhelming to think about, but having an understanding of your unique planning goals and needs is important for you and your loved ones. This is why we want to share with you some information about both Estate Planning and Elder Law, so you can make an informed decision about the right type of planning for your unique goals and needs.
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