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Q.  In connection with creating our estate planning documents, my husband and I would like to leave our children and grandchildren something more than just our money and assets. We would like to leave them a sense of our values. A friend mentioned something to us about an “Ethical Will”. Can you tell us anything Read Full Article

 For many years, banks have been touting the advantages of so-called “reverse” mortgages as a way for cash-strapped seniors to tap into the equity in their homes in order to meet expenses, whether simply for day-to-day living or to pay for the increased cost of home care. The basic concept of a reverse mortgage is Read Full Article

Q: I am approaching age 66 and my wife is almost 62. Each of us has a work record, although my earnings are greater. I heard that there may be a way for us to receive a larger Social Security retirement income by my opting for only a Spousal Benefit now based upon her work Read Full Article

Last Updated: 12/17/2010 10:38:06 PM  On 12/17/2010, President Obama signed major legislation implementing the tax-cut deal negotiated with Congressional Republicans. As expected the legislation restores the estate tax for two years with an exemption of $5 million and a 35 percent tax rates for estates over that amount, but the new law also contains several unexpected provisions that Read Full Article

  Death for Beginners: Your No-Nonsense, Money-Saving Guide to Planning for the Inevitable Last Updated: 9/24/2010 3:49:01 PM Karen Jones. Death for Beginners: Your No-Nonsense, Money-Saving Guide to Planning for the Inevitable. Linden Publishing. Fresno, CA. 2010. 244 pages. $11.01 from Amazon (click on book to order) This is the one “how-to” book that no Read Full Article

  Nursing Home Can't Honor Resident's Request for White-Only Caregivers Last Updated: 9/28/2010 5:53:10 PM A federal court in Indiana has ruled that a nursing home cannot honor patients’ requests for caregivers based on race. The case, which pitted nursing home residents’ rights against discrimination law, establishes that there may be a limit to a Read Full Article

  Tips on Providing for Children with Disabilities Last Updated: 10/1/2010 9:36:00 AM One of the major concerns for parents or grandparents of children with disabilities is how to provide for their financial future. Here are some legal tips: Buy enough life insurance. A parent is irreplaceable, but someone will have to fill in. In Read Full Article

  Social Security May Soon Put Lid on Benefits 'Do-Over' Strategy Last Updated: 9/17/2010 4:15:07 PM The Social Security Administration may soon eliminate a loophole that allows Social Security recipients to claim benefits early and then apply for them again years later when they are eligible for larger checks. Although you can collect Social Security Read Full Article

  Prevent Your Power of Attorney from Being Ignored Last Updated: 10/13/2010 12:08:58 PM A durable power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents there is. It allows someone you appoint — your agent or “attorney-in-fact” — to act in your place for financial purposes when and if you ever become Read Full Article

  Survey Finds Medicare Doesn't Work As Well for Younger, Disabled Beneficiaries Last Updated: 8/16/2010 4:24:42 PM A new survey of nearly 4,000 Medicare beneficiaries has found that Medicare beneficiaries who are younger than 65 receive fewer medical services, have a harder time paying for the medical care that they do receive, and are more Read Full Article