Only one thing is important if you’re reading this post: if you want to have a say in your medical treatment when you are unable to communicate on your own, appoint an agent through a Health Care Directive! It’s easy,…
I enjoyed an excellent article by Peter Brynickzka in the American Bar Association’s Family Advocate publication. (See link below) http://sgcfamlaw.com/pdf/1sum13_bryniczka.pdf Blended families are common, and stepparents often bond very deeply with their stepchildren. But, life can always throw us a…
Taking advantage of vulnerable people is not a new problem, but it has become a growing problem with the elderly as baby-boomers turn 65 in larger numbers than we’ve seen before. The Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University is…
Although the probate process has its advantages, many people try to avoid probate time and expense. A Transfer-On-Death Deed (TODD) in Minnesota creates a “beneficiary” for your real estate. It functions like naming a beneficiary on your insurance policy. Similarly,…
There’s A Reason They Call It Estate PLANNING. Let’s just focus on long-term care (LTC) costs. Private LTC costs can easily exceed $7,000/monthly depending on your needs and the type of facility you’re accessing. If you are like many people…
Most of us understand beneficiary designations when it comes to life insurance accounts, retirement benefits, even Transfer on Death Deeds. And, most may even understand how those assets do not need to pass through a probate process because of that…
Manny, 84, and Alice, 79 have both retired and plan to support themselves in their home with their own hard-earned assets. They either never applied for or have never qualified for long-term care insurance. Their home is paid for and…
If you are a caregiver, a professional, or family member, you need to be aware of the overwhelmingly growing problem of Elder Abuse in Minnesota and nationally. Be a part of the solution and join the efforts of this Minnesota…
Most health insurance plans offer different coverage between “in-network” and “out-of-network” care. Many of us have been caught with surprise bills for “out-of-network” services when we were under the impression that the facility we were using, and therefore all the…
Marshall P. Kapp outlined four potential problems with Advance Directives (AD) for individuals with advanced, irreversible illness in his recent Hamline Law Review article: The Nursing Home As Part Of The POLST Paradigm. These problems may cause patients, their families,…