Dear Bebe, My mom keeps telling my wife and I that we should make an appointment to get our estate planning done. I am in my early 40's and in good health, and have a 10 year old child. Why should I think about estate planning now? Please convince me … [Continue reading]
Using a Reverse Mortgage to Age in Place
Jim and Julie have lived in Northern Virginia for forty years and have no plans of moving. They are original owners of their home and their mortgage has long since been paid off. They are active in their community and truly love their neighbors and … [Continue reading]
A CAPABLE Program for Aging-in-Place
Q. With a bad back and arthritis in her knees, my 76-year-old mother, Gwen, struggles to walk down the steps outside her home to go out. Afraid of falling, she often opts to stay inside rather than brave the loose railings out front. Inside, my mom’s … [Continue reading]
Did Karl Lagerfeld Just Leave $210 Million to His Cat?
Dear Angel, I heard that Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel’s late artistic director, left the bulk of his £150 million fortune (approximately $210 million dollars according to today’s exchange rate) to his cat, Choupette. It makes me wish that I was her (the … [Continue reading]
Why Guardianship Should Be a Last Resort
Terri Black had always planned to care for her widowed father in her home if he ever became too frail to care for himself. When her father’s dementia and other health issues became too much to handle, her father’s girlfriend, Helen Natko, called and … [Continue reading]
Do You Need to Pay Taxes if You Are Only Collecting Social Security?
Q. My husband and I plan to retire when we turn 70 and hope to live the “American dream.” We have saved our whole life to be able to enjoy our summers up north and our winters in Florida. After decades of having Social Security payroll taxes withheld … [Continue reading]
How Does the Tax Act Change Things for Seniors?
Dear Magic, I am working on my 2018 taxes now. I understand that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is in effect for this year's taxes. How does this tax reform affect U.S. citizens ages 65 and older? Any financial credits still available for family … [Continue reading]
The State of Long-Term Care
Susan and Joe never thought that they would need long-term care. They were both healthy eaters, marathon runners, and world travelers. To their surprise, when Joe was 67 years old, he developed Parkinson’s. At first, it wasn’t too bad, and he … [Continue reading]
What’s the Difference Between a Revocable and an Irrevocable Trust?
Q. I read your recent article about wills and probate last week. I decided that I love my family way too much to put them through such a nightmare, costing them their privacy, time, frustration, and money. We’ve decided that a trust is the way my … [Continue reading]
Questions to Ask at a Family Meeting
Dear Ernie and Jannette, My wife and I have a family meeting planned where we will be discussing senior housing and end-of–life options for her mother, who is in the initial stage of Alzheimer’s, so now is a good time to figure out the best way to … [Continue reading]
Division One Cheerleader at Mason is Breaking Barriers
Ann Catherine Heigl, a 19-year-old with Down syndrome, graduated from high school and became a student of George Mason University, through their LIFE program, a full-time college program for intellectually and developmentally disabled students. It’s … [Continue reading]
He Built Me a She-Shed, and Now He Wants to DIY Everything!
Q. My husband, James, retired last year after 35 years of teaching middle school history. He loved to teach, so in his spare time, he now tutors students. Besides tutoring, he loves working with his hands, so he became a Do-it-Yourselfer. To my … [Continue reading]
Is a Last Will and Testament Enough?
Dear Angel, My sister wants to save money on estate planning. She is considering Do it Yourself (DIY) forms that she saw online, or if she does go to an attorney, she said that a Will should be enough. Is that true? Thanks for your help! Will … [Continue reading]
Take Advantage of This Popular Social Security Claiming Strategy Before It Ends This Year
Fred is 68 and collecting Social Security. His wife Lisa will be 66 in the spring and plans to retire. To maximize her Social Security, Lisa is considering filing for spousal benefits at 66 and then delaying the filing for her benefits until her full … [Continue reading]
What to Do When Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums are Skyrocketing
Q. Last week my friend, Patty, received notice of a substantial increase in her long-term care insurance premiums. She was so upset that she fired off an email to the Virginia Insurance Commissioner, Scott White, exclaiming how appalled she is that … [Continue reading]
The Home Genetic Test Told Me I Had the Alzheimer’s Gene
Dear Magic, I got a home genetic test for Christmas last year. I found out I am Irish, so this year I will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for real! When I got the results back, they gave me the option to do the health screening. I paid the extra … [Continue reading]
Is Alzheimer’s Linked to Gum Disease?
Barbara recently went for her semi-annual dental cleaning and check-up and was told she has gingivitis (gum disease). She wasn’t surprised, as she has had a history of tooth decay and gum disease since she was a child. She always took care of her … [Continue reading]
What’s the Difference Between Retirement Planning, Financial Planning, and Estate Planning?
Q. My wife and I are hoping to retire in 12 years. We have already done our estate planning but have been told by friends and relatives that we need to also do financial planning and retirement planning. Aren’t financial planning and retirement … [Continue reading]
Can You Get Social Security Benefits if You Never Worked?
Dear Ernie and Jannette, I am a recent divorcee who is getting ready to drop my last kid off at college next year, which, in essence, means that I am retired. The thing is, as a lifelong homemaker who raised five children, I never worked a paying job … [Continue reading]
What to Do When a Loved One is Terminally Ill
When Leanne's father was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), his family knew the prognosis was not good. The average survival time for FTD is typically 3-5 years, and Leanne’s father has already had the disease for two years. Leanne and her … [Continue reading]
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