In 1987, President Reagan signed a ban on the use of drugs in nursing homes that were prescribed to chemically restrain patients, unless the medications are needed for that patient or other residents’ safety. However, in September 2021, the New York Times has reported that antipsychotic drugs were frequently used on dementia patients in the 2000s, notwithstanding the almost doubled…
A client recently asked about leaving property to his only child and wanted to know if he could add his child on title to his home rather than using a trust. The client wanted to use joint tenancy to avoid probate and smooth transition between parent and child. While my client was correct about avoiding probate and the smoother transition,…
Big Three from Episode #068: Be thoughtful about which type of plan you genuinely want to be a part of if you were to get sick in the future. Make sure you have a Medigap plan to help protect your retirement savings. Some decisions are irretrievable, so you must make sure you seek help, ask questions, and talk to someone…
Big Three from Episode #059: Elder mediation can help families reach agreements about legal, financial, and care planning for their aging loved ones and their estate. Even if you think a conflicting party will not agree to mediation, it’s worth getting in touch with a mediator to find ways to engage the parties in communication. The ultimate goal is to…
Big Three from Episode #057: The current estate tax exemption is $11.7 million, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t file. Estate tax returns are not easy, but they are worth it. Margaret’s expert opinion: If you can take advantage, file it. An estate tax return is not an income tax return. It’s an inventory of your assets, your deductions. It’s…