Author Archives: Andre O. McDonald
Estate Planning Considerations for Rental Property Owners
In all parts of the country, services such as Airbnb have grown in popularity over the past few years. Indeed, these alternatives to hotel stays are popular among homeowners and vacationers alike. If you have a home or other rental property that is generating income, you should understand the following asset protection and estate… Read More »
5 Documents You Need to “Get Your Affairs in Order”
Five words no one ever wants to hear from their doctor: “Get your affairs in order.” Unfortunately, 58 percent of Americans do not have a will or trust, and it often requires a chronic disease or terminal illness diagnosis, or other life-changing event to prompt the estate planning process. Talk to your attorney about… Read More »
What Does an Elder Law Attorney Do?
According to the US Census Bureau, more than 51 million Americans are currently aged 65 or older, and the number is steadily increasing while medical and technological advancements are allowing seniors to live longer and better lives than ever before. The expanding needs of the US aging population are contributing to an increase in… Read More »
Elder Law vs. Estate Planning: What’s the Difference?
The short answer: Both estate planning and elder law share similar concerns. The longer answer? The differences make all the difference. Elder Law vs. Estate Planning: The Concerns are Similar No matter what age we’re, life can deliver some hard knocks. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. We can… Read More »
6 Steps to Ensuring Your End-of-Life Wishes Are Met
Contemplating our own death is one of the hardest challenges we will ever have to face. Yet, if we want our dying to be meaningful and merciful, it is imperative that we think about it while we still can. Part of doing so involves thinking through our end-of-life wishes. For most of us,… Read More »
Live and Learn: ALS and Healthcare Powers of Attorney
Strong healthcare powers of attorney are indeed powerful for a condition like Alzheimer’s. But it may come as a surprise to learn that a good “basic” advance-directive document needs considerable supplementation when it comes to a dreadful illness like ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Ordinarily, if a patient becomes unable… Read More »
End of Life Planning Challenges: Preserving Quality of Life
As a lawyer, I am a firm believer in end of life planning. I prepare powers-of-attorney documents (Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Living Wills) so that when my clients can no longer act for themselves, the documents will convey on other trusted people the authority to act on my clients’ behalf. But when it… Read More »
How Technology is Changing In-Home Health Care for Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has become an unlikely and innovative pioneer in the quest to provide cost-effective, quality in-home care for veterans. Although the agency has long been mired in controversies surrounding its programs, particularly arbitrary caregiver dismissals, the home health services sector of the VA has long been touted as an… Read More »
Don’t risk making these 11 costly estate planning mistakes!
Unfortunately, estate planning is often viewed as a “luxury” that is only necessary for the wealthy. In reality, a properly executed estate plan is an important financial document that everyone should have, regardless of how many assets they have to their name. That being said, even if you do have an estate plan, it’s… Read More »
How to Protect Assets in a Second Marriage (The Right Way)
When people marry for the second time (or more), losing assets to pay for their new spouse’s serious illness is probably the last thing on their minds when they say “I do.” But that could happen. Current costs for long-term care facilities can run between $70,000 – $150,000 annually. Studies show that 70% of… Read More »
