Articles

Probate is the legal process of formally recognizing a will after a person dies, naming or validating an executor to administer the estate, and distributing assets to intended beneficiaries. It also requires paying the decedent’s outstanding debts and federal and state taxes. Each state has different laws determining whether probate is necessary. Sometimes it is possible… Continue reading Probate Process: A General Timeline

Deciding to end a marriage as an older adult is increasingly common. If your marriage ended later in life, you could be part of the “gray” divorce trend. AARP reports that Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are the generation with the highest divorce rates. Divorce among older adults in the United States has… Continue reading 5 Ways to Update Your Estate Plan After a “Gray” Divorce

The most recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) indicates more than 3,400,000 deaths in the United States in 2021. When someone dies, the local government issues a formal document known as a death certificate. The death certificate provides the date, location, and cause of death. Most state forms follow the Centers for Disease… Continue reading How to Get a Death Certificate After a Loved One Dies

Whether your child is graduating with their high school diploma or completing higher education, it’s important to help them plan for their financial future. You want to set a strong foundation for long-term financial stability by broadening their scope of financial literacy. Sharing the following tips can help prepare them. Budgeting Expectations and Boundaries Less… Continue reading High School Graduation: A Good Time for Financial Planning

Among your key estate planning documents are your will, living wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives. Securing these somewhere your survivors can easily access them is crucial. Consider storing other information, like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and medical records, in a secure spot as well. Different Document Storage Solutions Many people today are striving… Continue reading Securely Storing Your Legal Documents

Elder law encompasses a wide range of legal matters that affect older individuals. Attorneys who practice elder law advocate for seniors and execute legal plans to assist them in living better lives. Their expertise may encompass estate planning, as well as planning for retirement, Social Security, and long-term medical care. This specialty of the legal… Continue reading 11 Questions to Ask an Elder Law Attorney

For seniors and their caregivers, having a plan in place should an emergency strike can provide some peace of mind in a turbulent world. A crisis, such as illness, trauma, natural disaster, or any other unexpected adverse event, may one day require you to act quickly and decisively. Thinking and adapting can be particularly difficult… Continue reading Seniors and Caregivers: Establish an Emergency Action Plan

As April marks Financial Literacy Month, it is an excellent time to start improving your financial literacy. Gaining financial savvy can help you handle the challenges and complexities of aging. Although sometimes overlooked, financial literacy is a critical component of aging well. It promotes economic freedom, helping you afford care and housing as you grow older.… Continue reading Promoting Healthy Aging During Financial Literacy Month

Research by the American College of Financial Services sheds light on the need for improvements in retirement financial literacy. The 2023 Retirement Income Literacy Study revealed that most adults ages 50 to 75 lack knowledge about retirement income. With this lack of knowledge came a lack of confidence about achieving the best possible retirement outcomes. Just 15… Continue reading Older Adults Are Failing at Retirement Planning, Study Shows

Since the 1960s, Medicaid has provided health care coverage for low-income people across the United States. For millions of seniors, Medicaid offers financial assistance, helping them to cover the cost of long-term care services. Today, this joint federal-state program also benefits other qualifying populations with limited income, including children and people with disabilities. Qualifying for Medicaid… Continue reading Medicaid Spend Down: Pay for More Than Just Medical Bills