Are you someone in your 80s or older whose memory recall seems to be as good or even better than people decades younger than you? If you are, you’re in a relatively rare category of people known as “super-agers” — people who can easily recall things from many years ago with exceptional clarity along with […]
Leaving a Legacy for Your Children and Grandchildren
Dear Raider, I read Mr. Farr’s article about things to leave and not to leave your children and grandchildren this past Tuesday. Nothing was mentioned about leaving a legacy. I remember Legacy Stories used to be a service that the Farr Law Firm offered to clients, but I believe they are not as widely used […]
Top 10 Things Your Children Want You to Leave Them and the Top 10 Things They Don’t Want
When considering what to leave your children or grandchildren, many of you hope to pass on love, wisdom, financial abundance, and maybe a few precious family heirlooms. However, despite your best intentions, while there are some things your children would be happy to inherit, there are others that they hope not to be burdened with. […]
Comparing a Certified Medicaid Planner with a Certified Elder Law Attorney
Q. My sister-in-law and my husband have recently been discussing Medicaid Planning for my husband’s mother, who is in an early stage of dementia. You and your law firm represented my parents several years ago when we needed to protect their assets and get my mom on Medicaid. Thank you again for that! My siblings […]
Can Alzheimer’s Symptoms Be Reversed? Sanjay Gupta Explains in Newest Documentary
Dear Angel, I recently read about “The Last Alzheimer’s Patient,” starring Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The documentary describes Alzheimer’s patient Cici Zerbe, who claims that her early Alzheimer’s symptoms have been reversed. This was after she participated in Dr. Dean Ornish’s clinical trial on how intensive lifestyle changes can halt the progression of early Alzheimer’s. Do […]
What Are the Top Eight Questions to Ask a Medicaid Asset Protection Attorney?
May is National Elder Law Month! Elder Law Attorneys across the country, including those at the Farr Law Firm, are taking the opportunity to educate seniors about their legal options in the communities we serve. Now is the perfect time to talk about one of our practice areas: Medicaid Asset Protection, also known as Medicaid […]
Is Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic?
Years of research has found that the most common gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease is a risk gene called apolipoprotein E (APOE). Recent research built upon what was already known about APOE, finding that people with two copies of the gene variant APOE4 are almost certain to get Alzheimer’s. This new information could result in […]
Comparing Financial Powers of Attorney: Badly Drafted DIY vs. Well-Drafted Documents
Q. My husband is a handy DIYer, and it has saved us lots money, in many instances. Now, he is insisting on doing our Estate Planning documents, including our Wills and our Financial Powers of Attorney, on his own. I am glad he wants to take the initiative, but I am thinking that this is […]
How Can a Power of Attorney Protect You from Exploitation?
Dear Angel, I was recently listening to a true crime podcast and heard an alarming episode. A woman, Caroline, created a power of attorney for an older man, Charles, and moved into his California home. Charles died shortly after, although authorities do not know the cause of death. Caroline had used the fraudulent power of […]
New Federal Rule Sets Minimum Staffing Requirements for Nursing Homes — the Biggest Reform in Nursing Home Policy in Decades
A federal mandate that sets minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes was finalized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week. Three final rules were issued to “fulfill President Biden’s commitment to support family caregivers, boost compensation and job quality for care workers, expand and improve care options, and improve the safety […]
Does Estate Planning Include Financial Planning, and Should Your Estate Planning Attorney Also Be a Financial Planner?
When you go through the legal process of Estate Planning, this includes you deciding: (1) who you want to receive any real estate, savings/investments, tangible personal property, and other assets of yours after your death; (2) who you want to put in control of making decisions and handling your legal and financial affairs after your […]
Making Seniors Wishes Come True and Planning for Charitable Giving
Dear Hayek, Every year, I give to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to help make dreams come true for children with critical illnesses. I heard there was a similar group for seniors and those in elder care facilities. What do you know about this? Also does the Farr Law Firm help seniors with charitable giving as part […]
Comparing a Typical Advance Medical Directive to the Farr Law Firm’s 4 Needs Advance Medical Directive®
Benjamin Franklin once said “(n)othing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Today (April 16) is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day for health care decision planning. And, in keeping with Franklin’s famous quote, each year National Healthcare Decisions Day is observed the day after Tax Day. National Healthcare Decisions Day is […]
Should I Enroll in Medicare if I have Federal Retiree Coverage?
Q. In your latest article, you discuss how elder care lawyers help seniors with planning in advance for the financial and health concerns that occur as we age. I really appreciate the assistance and advice your elder law firm provides. I am a retired federal employee who will be 65 next year. I was wondering […]
Does an Adult Child Have a Legal and/or Moral Duty to Become a Parent’s Caregiver?
Jane had a good childhood growing up in Virginia. However, she kept both an emotional and geographic distance from her mother for most of her adult life. The rift began after her parents’ divorce, which Jane blamed on her mother. They had only spoken a handful of times over the years. Jane’s mother missed many […]
Why Would an 18-Year-Old Need a Power of Attorney?
Dear Raider, A friend told me that when her son headed to college, they had a Power of Attorney drafted for him. Isn’t 18 way too young to think about these types of things? Why would an 18-year-old need a Power of Attorney or other estate planning documents? Thanks for clarifying! Cole Idge — Dear […]
New Study Shows 80% of Seniors Can’t Afford Two Years of Long-Term Care
Dear Angel, I just read that today’s 65-year-old can expect to live at least another 20 years, according to the Social Security Administration! That kind of longevity is definitely a blessing, but given what everything costs today, I’m not sure that I can afford it. What is the outlook for public policy and federal programs […]
Our 22 Top Articles of 2022
Those who read our newsletter or follow our blog know that we covered a lot of ground this past year. The COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency has been in place for more than two and a half years at this time, and although things feel much more normal now, new variants are still emerging. Luckily, […]
Our Top 10 Spookiest Articles of 2022
2022 has been a bit of a frightening year, but not nearly as scary as recent years past! Since Halloween is in less than a week, it’s an ideal time to catch up on some of the scariest elder law, estate planning, and special needs planning articles of the year. From loved ones helping their […]
Why Would Someone Want to Preplan Their Funeral?
Dear Angel, My father told me yesterday that he is preplanning and prepaying for his funeral. I just listened as he spoke, but didn’t ask any questions. It was such a serious topic that I didn’t want to look disrespectful by questioning him. But, maybe you can tell me . . . why would someone […]