It may not always be obvious when a family member needs long-term health care. If you live a distance from your parent, the signs of mental and physical decline can be even more difficult to detect. Be aware of these symptoms that indicate that a loved one may need...
Lakewood, Colorado Elder Law And Estate Planning Law Blog
3 times you should review your estate plan
If you have created a comprehensive estate plan, you are probably doing better than most of your front-range neighbors. After all, according to a recent study, as many as 60% of Americans do not have even a basic will to deal with their estates after death. While...
An overview of disability trusts
When it comes to special needs planning, review all of your options and make sure you identify the most practical solution for your disabled loved one. Many people have familiarity with special needs trusts and supplemental trusts, but it is important to review...
How do first- and third-party special needs trusts differ?
When your child has a disability, you may need to take extra time when creating your Colorado estate plan. Many people with special needs use certain types of government help, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income, to get by without an income. However,...
When is the right time to create an estate plan?
Whether you like to prepare in advance or wait until the last minute to handle your affairs, you might find yourself wondering when the time is right for you to create your estate plans. Or perhaps you already have and are not sure if it is time to review and update...
3 advance directives to preserve your future
Everyone has a different idea of what it means to live a good life. You probably have a personal definition of it yourself. You deserve to live the way you want. However, you must also consider the impact of the various legal rules, ethical codes and familial wishes...
How can your estate plan protect your pets?
When beginning an estate plan, many people forget about special members of their family. As important as your pets may be to you, you should think about their inclusion in an estate plan. The National Law Review explains the importance of estate planning for pets....
Should you wait to apply for Social Security benefits?
If you have worked for years or even decades and are approaching Social Security’s full retirement age, you may be itching to start collecting your benefits. After all, additional income may help you pay for the comparatively high cost of living along the Front Range....
What to do after creating a living will
A living will is a basic estate planning document that explains the medical treatment you do and do not want to receive if you are unable to make those decisions for yourself. An accident or illness that leaves you incapacitated can happen at any time, so it is one of...
Will a trust bypass probate?
Many people want to avoid probate when planning their estates. A lot of the reasoning is due to misunderstanding how probate works, but in any case, it is nice to do what you can to ensure probate is a speedy process. That may mean making decisions that allow your...