Articles

Who is Responsible for Paying a Deceased Relative’s Debts? (Part One)

SCV Magazine, October 24, 2011

The loss of a loved one is difficult to cope with, but if the loved one left debts behind, it can be even tougher. more

Who is Responsible for Paying a Deceased Relative’s Debts? (Part Two)

SCV Magazine, November 29, 2011

It is important to know who is responsible - and who is not responsible - for the debts of a deceased person. This is even more true now than in the past, because creditors and debt collectors have become very aggressive lately about contacting a deceased person’s family members and trying to get them to pay debts. more

Do Surviving Spouses Have a Right to Your 401(k) or an IRA?

SCV Magazine, May 25, 2011

When choosing a beneficiary for a retirement plan, it is important to understand how your spouse will be treated under the plan. Surviving spouses are treated differently under 401(k) plans and IRAs. more

Does Your Estate Plan Include Your Pets?

SCV Magazine, February 22, 2011

Does your estate plan include your pets? Have you considered your pets when planning your estate? If not, you should, according to the Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization. more

"Senior Move Managers" Can Make Moving Easier

SCV Magazine, January 26, 2011

Moving can be stressful for anyone, but it is particularly stressful for seniors. On top of hiring movers, packing, and setting up a new home, there is the emotional toll of leaving a house the senior may have lived in for decades. If a move seems overwhelming, a “senior move manager” may be able to help. more

Medicare Nursing Home Coverage: Less Thank You Think?

SCV Magazine, October 26, 2010

While Medicare covers nursing home stays, exactly what it covers is complicated and in some cases it can be much more limited than people think. If you or a loved one might need a stay in a nursing home, it is very smart to understand the rules ahead of time, so you can be prepared and not have an unpleasant surprise. more

A Power of Attorney is "Powerless" with Social Security

SCV Magazine, September 27, 2010

Many people become confused when they try to use a Power of Attorney to prove to Social Security they can handle the affairs of someone who is receiving this benefit. Social Security will not recognize this document. more

"Parentgiving" Website Offers Assistance to Adult Children Caring for Elderly Parents

SCV Magazine

Parentgiving.com is a new website created to help time-starved caregivers of aging parents. Its "Learning with Parentgiving" section provides checklists at your fingertips for securing caregivers, preventing falls, steps to take if a parent is denied Medicare coverage, legal documents you may need and information needed in emergencies. more

Trouble with Driving and Update on the Sunset of Estate Taxes

SCV Magazine

The last vestige of independence for many elders is the loss of their ability to drive. The efforts to take the automobile away to protect the elder and other drivers on the road can be met with tremendous resistance. more

How to Revoke a Power of Attorney

SCV Magazine

If for any reason you become unhappy with the person you’ve appointed to make decisions for you under a durable power of attorney; you can revoke the power of attorney at any time. But you must take a few steps to ensure that the document is properly revoked. more

Communication Is Key in Locating Estate Documents and Passwords

SCV Magazine

Where have you placed your estate planning documents? Many people tell me they keep these documents in their dresser drawer, "strong box," or in a file cabinet. In California, if your original will cannot be found, it is "presumed revoked." This means any or all of the directives in your will could be ignored and the persons to whom you wanted to distribute your estate could be disregarded. more

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Helping the Mentally Ill

SCV Magazine

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the United States, with self help, support, and advocacy groups in every state, including Puerto Rico. more

Advance Care Planning for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

SCV Magazine

All individuals should have a Power of Attorney for Health Care. Recently, the California Coalition for Compassionate Care has participated in the creation of Thinking Ahead: My Life at the End, which is a workbook and DVD designed specifically for people and by people with developmental disabilities. more

Tools for Caregivers

The Signal, April 11, 2009

The Family Caregiver Alliance has compiled a list of practical tools and resources designed to address the needs of informal caregivers and the professionals supporting them. While a plethora of online information exists, specific tools and resources had not been gathered into one collection where professionals and caregivers alike could quickly and easily access them - until now. more

Keeping Your Estate Plan Current

The Signal, Feb. 12, 2009

While many people periodically update their wills or other estate plans, they don't remember to update the designation of who will receive distributions from their retirement plans, such as an IRA or 401(k) fund. You should also review any and all life insurance beneficiary designations. more

Digital Estate Planning

The Signal, March 12, 2010

Once upon a time, the key to a safe deposit box was all loved ones needed to unlock the secrets of a life recently ended. Today many aspects of our lives, both financial and personal, are lived in places accessible only by a password. more

Plan Ahead and Plan Your Funeral Now

The Signal, Nov. 13, 2008

Disputes among family members can arise when funeral arrangements are made after the death of a relative. Everyone may be trying to do the right thing, but disagreements and anger can continue long after the funeral. more

How to Make It Less Likely That Anyone Will Contest Your Will

The Signal, July 4, 2008

Emotions can run high at the death of a family member. If a family member is unhappy with the amount received (or didn't receive) under a will, he or she may contest the will. Will contests can drag out for years, keeping all the heirs from getting what they are entitled to. more

When to 'Hire' Your Children to Care for You

The Signal, March 14, 2008

As people get older, they often hire individuals or companies to perform services for them, such as housekeeping, cooking, driving, paying bills and personal care. What's new is that a lot of seniors are hiring their own children. more