Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog

Estate planning is done for the purpose of providing for both yourself and your loved ones during your lifetime as well as upon your incapacitation or death. One of the main reasons for estate planning is to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of once you have passed. This is made all the more important when an individual has a child who is disabled. 

Once an individual with a disability reaches the age of 18, they are treated as an adult by the government. An individual who became disabled prior to the age of 22 is entitled to Social Security Income (SSI) benefits so long as they have less than $2,000 in assets and their income remains lower than the amount of money that they would receive in SSI benefits.
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As our parents age, our ability to properly care for them around the clock becomes more and more difficult. Nursing homes are utilized so that elderly individuals can have a safe, compassionate place to be looked after and cared for. Unfortunately, due to common physical and cognitive impairments that the elderly experience, they are also prime targets for abuse and neglect. 

Elderly Population Remains Vulnerable

Elder abuse includes abandonment, exploitation, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. What makes the elderly population most vulnerable to abuse is a combination of social isolation and mental impairment.
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It is presumed that families may disagree, but that families will always love each other. However, does that presumption extend to in-laws? It may be common for some parents to dislike their son’s wife, but most parents learn to tolerate their in-laws. In some extreme cases, a parent may actually hate the daughter-in-law. In those cases, parents may choose to disinherit their in-law, and possibly their child. Before doing so, it may be wise to consult a Read more . . .

What are some unique considerations of elder law planning for women?

Elder law involves planning for the wide range of issues that could impact aging Americans, such as the high costs of health care, retirement, guardianship, and much more. Whereas estate planning focuses on what will happen when you die, elder law addresses what happens if you live.  While elder law planning is critical for everyone, there are some issues unique to women.  Data published by researchers at the University of Montreal shows that women in America today live on average 80.1 years, whereas men live on average to 73.
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The internet can be an overwhelming place. While it has provided us with the opportunity to reach out and communicate with others, this unfounded access also provides predators the opportunity to access us.

The number of senior citizens continues to increase annually. With the advent of Smartphones, it has made accessing the internet even easier. 

Generally speaking, online Elder Abuse is directed towards fraudulently obtaining finances.
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When a family member passes away, there are many legal steps that the surviving members must take to settle the person’s final affairs. In most cases, a family member is appointed in the person’s will to serve as administrator of the probate estate. The family member will be the one to administer the estate.  If there was no will, a family member might need to petition the court to be appointed to administer the estate.

Not knowing what to do or what may happen during the probate process can be overwhelming.
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Elder abuse occurs more often than most people believe. Unfortunately, many elderly adults cannot speak for themselves or are too afraid to report abuse or neglect. Therefore, it may be up to you to speak up if you suspect elder abuse. After reporting elder abuse, meeting with a
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People go to nursing homes for a variety of reasons – such as short-term recuperation from surgery or for long-term care, but no matter why your loved one needs to stay at a nursing home, you need to evaluate the factors that will affect your relative’s health and well-being at the facility. If you have specific questions about how a loved one has been treated in a nursing home, or are in need of resources, our Read more . . .

What estate planning documents are essential to protect my heirs?

The topic of estate planning often elicits much confusion and uncertainty.  Some of us have likely come to believe that only the elderly or the ultra-wealthy need an estate plan.  Others recognize the importance of an estate plan, but may find themselves nonetheless putting off the task of creating one year after year.  Failing to create an estate plan can leave your heirs in a vulnerable position.  With no estate plan in place, the courts would be forced to divide your assets per state law, which may leave some loved ones out and will cost your heirs in taxes and fees.
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No one likes thinking about becoming incapacitated. The sad fact is, many people do find themselves unable to make their own medical decisions. Without proper incapacity planning, including an up-to-date HIPAA authorization, it can be impossible for your loved ones to get access to your medical records and get you the treatments that you need. As

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2019 will usher in multiple changes in benefits for veterans in California and across the nation. As a veteran, you have served your country, and you deserve these programs, but if you do not know about them, you will miss out of their valuable services.

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