Recent Blog Posts
I’m Not Married. Do I Still Need an Estate Plan?
Approximately half of America’s population over the age of 16 is unmarried. While much of the discussion involving estate planning focuses on married couples, this topic is just as important for a single person. In fact, many times estate planning for singles and unmarried couples may be even more important than for their married… Read More »
How a Pet Trust Protects Your Pet if You Die (UPDATED: October 2019)
If you ask several pet owners if they have a pet trust for their furry family member(s), most will admit that they don’t even know what a pet trust is, much less have one set up. But whether you are planning to adopt a new pet or already have one (or several), it is… Read More »
4 Keys to Smart Estate Planning for Small Business Owners
Preparing your company for your incapacity or death is vital to the survival of the enterprise. Otherwise, your business will be disrupted, harming your customers, employees, vendors, and ultimately, your family. For this reason, proactive planning – including your business and your estate plan – is key. Below are some tips on business and… Read More »
Is Estate Planning Still Necessary With the Trump Tax Cuts?
Now that Tax Day 2018 is in the rear-view mirror for many Americans, a question many of them will have to reckon with moving forward, is estate planning still necessary with the Trump Tax Cuts? The Tax Cut and Jobs Act was signed into law by President Trump in 2017. The new tax law… Read More »
5 Care Options for Adults with Special Needs
There are numerous care options available for adults with special needs. The options available vary based on the level of care required, ranging from those adults with special needs who are able to be more independent, to those who need advanced medical care. When planning for- or selecting- care options for special needs adults,… Read More »
3 Tips for Caring for a Sibling with Special Needs
When a family has a child with special needs, the care of that child eventually falls on the shoulders of the entire family. The parents generally care for the child for as long as they are able. However, when the parents begin to age, the siblings are often called upon to take over care… Read More »
Can a “Medicaid Divorce” Protect Your Assets?
The term Medicaid divorce refers to a strategic (yet often controversial) legal concept where an otherwise happily married couple will seek a divorce so that one spouse can qualify for Medicaid assistance, and impoverishing the well spouse. To better illustrate why a married couple might consider a Medicaid divorce, let’s take a look at an… Read More »
The Importance of Long-Term Care Planning
Life expectancy in the United States has continued an upward trend over the last several decades. The average life expectancy for men is 76.4 years and the average for women is a healthy 81.2 years of age. What has not trended upward, however, is the number of people engaging in long-term care planning. The… Read More »
4 Ways to Avoid Guardianship
What is a guardianship, and when is it necessary? In Maryland, a guardianship is usually defined as a protective legal proceeding for someone who is incapacitated or disabled and unable to manage his/her own financial and/or medical affairs. Incapacitated, as it relates to an adult, means that an individual is no longer able to… Read More »
Alzheimer’s Disease 101: What You Need to Know to Be Prepared
(Updated November 2021) November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. In 1983, then-President Ronald Reagan made November the designated month for National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Then fewer than 2 million Americans were diagnosed with this devastating illness that then and now destroys the lives of the people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and the families who… Read More »
