As I often tell clients, one of the most important documents that everyone should have is a power of attorney.  A power of attorney allows you to designate someone to conduct financial and other transactions on your behalf.  The ease with which anyone can execute such a document is a

As I have written previously, in speaking with families, overwhelmingly the desire is for elderly family members to remain in their own home as they age and face declining physical and mental health.   But, is that always the best thing?  Perhaps, not for everyone.  I was reading a recent post on

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), are communities that provide a full continuum of care for their residents.  They have flexible accommodations designed to meet their residentâs health and housing needs as those needs change over time, offering independent living, assisted living and nursing home care, usually all in one location.            

 Medical science has made great strides in the last 30 years.  We are certainly living longer.  Illnesses and injuries that in the past resulted in death, now do not.  However, the recovery period can be a long one, especially for the elderly, whose recuperative abilities are not the same as

Whenever we meet with new clients, especially married ones, I always want to review the estate planning documents that they currently have.  Sometimes those documents are 10, 20 or 30 years old.  Other times, the clients will say, âOh, we just had our wills updated in the last year so

In my last post I explained how Momâs transferring her home to me during her lifetime will result in capital gains tax whereas passing the home to me after she dies can reduce or even eliminate the tax.  However, Mom considered transferring the house because she wanted to protect it

"Mom wants to transfer her home to me.  Do you think itâs a good idea?"  A seemingly simple question and one that is probably one of the more common questions I am asked as an elder law attorney.  But, not one that I can answer without knowing more.  One size

So often, when working with families who are struggling to care for a loved one with dementia, the most frustrating part is the uncertainty of the condition from day to day.  The recent case in Minnesota of Verne Gagne highlights that very clearly.               Verne Gagne was a prominent professional wrestler

As we discussed last week, Joe wants to transfer his home to Jim, who lives there with his wife and children.  But letâs change the facts a bit.  Joe is not healthy but has the early stages of dementia and needs some in home assistance.  It is possible that within

Home ownership has long been a large part of the American dream.  Through the course of the 20th century, the percentage of Americans owning their homes rose considerably.   In many of these homes three generations lived under one roof.  Today, there still are many 3 generations homes.  The reasons for