Blog

Are parents and adult children responsible for each other’s debts? Indiana is one of approximately 28 states that have filial responsibility laws. Modeled after centuries-old English laws, these provisions have not often been applied in modern times, but they are still “on the books.” Indiana’s filial responsibility law provides that if a child is financially able and a parent is financially unable…Read More

The recent economic recession, and staggering increases in health care costs have left millions of Americans facing incredible losses and mounting debt in their final years. Are you concerned that, rather than inheriting wealth from your parents, you will instead inherit bills? The good news is, you probably won’t have to pay them. As you are dealing with the emotional…Read More

The irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust has proven to be a highly effective estate planning tool for many older Americans. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is right for you and your family. This brief overview is designed to give you a starting point for discussions with your loved ones and legal…Read More

Like most governmental benefit programs, there are many myths surrounding Medicaid and eligibility for benefits. One of the most common myths is the belief that only 50% of the funds in a jointly-owned bank account will be considered an asset for the purposes of calculating Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid is a needs-based program that is administered by the state. Therefore, many…Read More

Should You Appoint A Loved One Or A Professional As An Executor/Trustee? If you are currently involved in creating an estate plan you might be faced with a will or trust in the near future. If either of these documents is used in your planning you will have to choose a representative to administer it according to your terms. Because…Read More

Lawsuits are everywhere. What happens when you are found to be at fault in an accident, and a significant judgment is entered against you? A child dives head-first into the shallow end of your swimming pool, becomes paralyzed, and needs in-home medical care for the rest of his or her lifetime. Or, you accidentally rear-end a high-income executive, whose injuries…Read More

Why Should You Have A Will And A Living Trust? When most of us consider estate planning, thoughts of drafting a Last Will and Testament come to mind. While wills are still widely utilized, there is another important document that is often used in conjunction with them: a revocable living trust. Revocable living trusts are documents created in the name and…Read More

Establishing a Life Estate is a relatively simple process in which you transfer your property to your children, while retaining your right to use and live in the property. Life Estates are used to avoid probate, maximize tax benefits and protect the real property from potential long-term care expenses you may incur in your later years. Transferring property into a…Read More

Many people are confused by advance directives. They are unsure what type of directives are out there, and whether they even need directives at all, especially if they are young. There are several types of advance directives. One is a living will, which communicates what type of life support and medical treatments, such as ventilators or a feeding tube, you…Read More