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 […]
Getting Remarried? What to Discuss and Plan Before Walking Down the Aisle
Q. I have been a widower for six years and recently found love again. I asked her to marry me and she accepted. This is new to me, as I had been with my late wife for forty years and then on my own again until recently. What are some things that you would suggest […]
Are a Prenuptial Agreement and a Postnuptial Agreement Essentially the Same Thing?
Dear Kiwi and Mango, My brother is getting re-married and is on the fence about a prenuptial agreement. My husband and I actually have a postnuptial agreement. Aren’t they essentially the same thing? Which is preferable? Can you help me convince my brother to get one or the other, since I feel like it is […]
CaringBridge: Don’t Go Through Your Caregiving Journey Alone!
Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and prominent advocate for caregivers, famously stated that there are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be caregivers; and those who will need caregivers. For those of us who are caregivers, we’re very aware that […]
Cupcakes and Caregiving: A Successful Shark Tank Business Owner Balances Work Life with Caregiving
Tracey Noonan, CEO and co-founder of Wicked Good Cupcakes, started her business along with her daughter, Dani, in their Boston home kitchen. The company, which appeared on the TV show “Shark Tank” nine years ago, grew tremendously after an investment from Kevin O’Leary, one of the wealthy investors on “Shark Tank.” Following their successful “Shark […]
What Taxes Do We Need to Pay for an Independent Caregiver?
Dear Oakley, We are hiring an independent caregiver, meaning she is not from an agency. My understanding is that we are responsible for paying taxes for her, since she is considered to be a household employee. What taxes are we responsible for paying? Thanks for your help! Payton Ataxis —- Dear Payton, As an employer […]
One Vital Step This Doctor Wishes Everyone Would Take
Q. A few years ago, when we first got married, my husband, Logan, and I decided to paint the living room in our new home. It sounded like a great idea at the time, but we didn’t get very far. We ended up hiring someone, but kept the super heavy-duty face masks we bought for […]
What Can I Do to Help the DC Area First Responders and Healthcare Workers?
Q. My mother, Anna, is in a local nursing home and receives exemplary care from the nurses, doctors, and health aides there. I want to do something to give back to them and to others on the frontline in the DC Metro Area who are risking their lives to help others during the coronavirus pandemic. […]
How Taxes Work if You Have a Paid In-Home Caregiver
Stacey, an only child, was an in-home caregiver for her ailing mother for several years. She lived with her mom and cared for her while she completed college and graduate school, and even after she got married. However, after three children, one of whom has special needs, caring for her mother and her children became […]
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 home proves a challenge to navigate, as well. Frayed […]
The Cost of Long-Term Care is On the Rise
Stanley and June Blum have been married for more than 75 years and are approaching the second century of life. Stanley is 97 and June is 96. Stanley is a retired shoe-industry executive who paints and writes poetry, while June is a psychologist who still works part-time. They own a home in the city and […]
Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor
Dear Angel, Every year when I go for my annual checkup or a sick visit, I leave feeling uninformed. Maybe I don’t ask the right questions. What are some things that you recommend that seniors ask their doctor? Thanks, Wanda Knowmore —- Dear Wanda, Many of us make a mental list of questions to ask […]