Plan Ahead to Ensure Your Wishes are Carried Out
Friday, December 7th, 2018 | Estate Planning, Legal Insights
The importance of proactively making end-of-life preparations cannot be emphasized enough. Proper planning in the form of wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, and in some circumstances trusts can save the whole family money and stress when those documents are needed. Without them, medical and financial situations may turn into crisis or may not be […]
Read More »What is Long-term Care?
Friday, November 9th, 2018 | Caregiving, Legal Insights, Life Care Planning
Long-term care is a term that describes a wide range of care needs and ways of providing that care. It includes services that meet medical and non-medical requirements for people who cannot fully care for themselves for long durations of time. Long-term care is typically very individualized and may be provided formally by a professional, […]
Read More »“I’ve Never Done This Before!” – How to Plan for Age-related Unknowns
Monday, October 29th, 2018 | Caregiving, Legal Insights, Life Care Planning
During a recent intake call with our firm, one of our prospective clients – a successful, intelligent, well-organized middle-aged woman – sounded as though she had reached the end of her rope. She found herself in a caregiving role for her mother, and despite all her accumulated life experiences and wisdom, she had no idea […]
Read More »Key Elements of Your Estate Plan
Friday, October 12th, 2018 | Estate Planning, Legal Insights
Lots of people call our office asking for a “simple will” or saying that they “just” need a power of attorney. They may have specific circumstances in mind, like an upcoming surgery or a need to help their aging parent manage money. Of course we always want to meet that immediate need, but our conversation […]
Read More »Essential Planning After Dementia Symptoms Develop
Friday, September 21st, 2018 | Caregiving, Estate Planning, Legal Insights
When a spouse or parent begins showing signs of dementia – such as forgetfulness, uncharacteristic behavior, irrational thinking, or confusion – meeting that person’s care needs and keeping them safe is usually the first concern. Family members may pitch in as caregivers so the person isn’t left alone and unsafe. They may schedule medical evaluations […]
Read More »Your Estate Plan: Don’t Be Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 | Estate Planning, Legal Insights
The world of elder law is brimming with alternatives to the traditional attorney-client relationship. You’ve probably heard ads for services like Legal Zoom, offering simple, “D-I-Y” documents online for a low cost. Someone may have pointed you toward a website where you can print out a free Power of Attorney form. Just sign in front […]
Read More »Tennessee Conservatorship
Friday, August 10th, 2018 | Legal Insights
When faced with providing care for individuals who suffer from mental illness, dementia, or physical or developmental disabilities, some families and friends find that their loved ones are not capable of making good decisions for themselves. The loved one may be unable to manage his or her own life, yet he or she may refuse […]
Read More »Assisted Living Advocacy: Understanding Residents’ Rights
Friday, July 27th, 2018 | Legal Insights, Long Term Care Facilities
Moving out of the private home and into an assisted living facility (ALF) may become necessary as care needs increase. ALFs afford some level of independence while ensuring that the elder receives needed assistance with daily activities. A move to an ALF may offer other benefits to the elder, such as increased social opportunities and […]
Read More »Medicaid in Tennessee: How to Apply for TennCare CHOICES
Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 | Legal Insights, Public Benefits, TennCare/CHOICES
Tennessee residents who need Medicaid to help pay for long-term care need to apply for TennCare CHOICES. This program pays for long-term services and supports in a nursing home, at an assisted living, or in the home. If you or a loved one is already in a rehab facility, you may be approached by facility […]
Read More »Recent Changes to Tennessee Probate Law
Monday, November 14th, 2016 | Legal Insights
Last week’s blog addressed some basics about estate administration options and probate. Some of the things that make probate so challenging for the average person are the number of regulations, the constant changes in the law, and the necessity of dealing with financial institutions which may be reluctant to cooperate for security and legal reasons. […]
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