- Columns - Current and Archives
- Looking Back by Jack Lebo - February 2012 >
- Murphy's Law - July 2013>
- Murphy's Law - May 2013
- Murphy's Law - April 2013
- Murphy's Law - March 2013
- Murphy's Law - February 2013
- Murphy's Law - January 2013
- Murphy's Law - December 2012
- Murphy's Law - November 2012
- Murphy's Law - October 2012
- Murphy's Law - September 2012
- Murphy's Law - August 2012
- Murphy's Law - July 2012
- Murphy's Law - June 2012
- Murphy's Law - May 2012
- Murphy's Law - April 2012
- Murphy's Law - March 2012
- Murphy's Law - February 2012
- Murphy's Law - January 2012
- Murphy's Law - December 2011
- Murphy's Law - November 2011
- Murphy's Law - October 2011
- Murphy's Law - September 2011
- Murphy's Law - August 2011
- Murphy's Law - July 2011
- Murphy's Law - June 2011
- Murphy's Law - May 2011
- Your Money Matters by Thomas Sottile - February 2013>
- Taking Care by Lisa Petsche - May 2013>
- Taking Care - April 2013
- Taking Care - March 2013
- Taking Care - February 2013
- Taking Care - January 2013
- Taking Care - December 2012
- Taking Care - November 2012
- Taking Care - October 2012
- Taking Care - September 2012
- Taking Care - August 2012
- Taking Care - July 2012
- Taking Care - June 2012
- Taking Care - May 2012
- Travel Articles
- There's Much To Like About Tybee Island, Georgia
- PA’s Little Town Of Bethlehem Has Giant History, Pleasant Surprises
- Savannah Style: History, Food, Architecture And Even Ghosts
- Vacationing Beats Back Winter
- Visiting The Inn At Pocono Manor
- Delights of Northern Ireland
- Tuscana Resort near Orlando
- Belfast To Commemorate Titanic
- Protect Your Home While Vacationing
- Nearby Hampton Roads, Virginia
- New 'Heritage' Travel Division Formed
- Lifestyle Articles
- PAE-300 ‘Personal Audio Enhancer’ Brings New Sounds And Clarity To Television
- Seniors Desire To Stay In Home Has Led To Innovative Housing
- ‘Pleasantly Plump’ May Not Pose Serious Health Problems After All
- Spring Hills Brings Home Care, Assisted Living to S. Jersey
- Sense Of Family Obligation Remains Strong
- Becoming Bilingual Thought To Delay Onset Of Cognitive Impairment
- Comprehensive Study Provides Foundation For ‘New American Diet’
- Is Alzheimer's A Myth?
- Living Alone, Without Loneliness
- Chocolate In Moderation
- Expert: Forgiveness, Gratitude Are Essential For Healthy Aging
- Expert: No Limit To Length Of Life
- Media-Based Pennsylvania Veterans Museum Is Historic Treasure
- Joint Task: Take Action To Combat Knee Pain
- Want Better Performance From Portfolio? Watch Congress
- Conscientiousness Key To Longevity
- Men, Women 'Retire' Differently
- Sleep Problems And Cognitive Issues
- Newsworthy
- Binge Drinking Is A National Problem — Even With Senior Citizens
- Study Warns Of High Cardiovascular Disease Risks Of Eating Yolks
- Study: 'Old' People Smell Better
- Depression, Anxiety Are Key Factors In Impact Of Parkinson’s Disease
- Study: Don’t Worry, Be Happy For Better Cardiovascular Health
- ‘Chore Connection’ Provides Unique Services, Volunteer Opportunities
- Study Reinforces Benefits Of Regular Colonoscopies
- Study: 'Senior Moments' Begin Earlier
- Three New Studies Suggest Aspirin May Prevent Some Cancers
- No Sure Bet: Seniors Must Recognize Potential Gambling Problems
- Coping With Grief
- New Recommendation Creates Debate Over Prostate Screening
- High Salt, Low Potassium Diet Linked To Increased Death Risk
- Medical Director At HCR ManorCare Receives APPLE Award
- RomneyCare Awful Lot Like Obamacare
- Grandkids Safer With Gram/Pop At Wheel
- AARP: Recession Hits Seniors Hard
- Antidepressants Can Increase Danger of Falling
- Poll: Low Marks For U.S. Healthcare
- More Good News For Coffee Drinkers
- Book Reviews
- We The People
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
- The Love Of My Youth
- The American Way Of Eating
- ‘Rin Tin Tin’
- Pity The Billionaire
- Classic: Uncle Tom's Cabin
- A Stocking Full Of New Christmas Novels
- When China Rules The World
- The Submission - Amy Waldman
- My Soul's Been Psychedelicized
- Reckless Endangerment
- O'Nan's 'Emily Alone'
- Baseball In The Garden Of Eden
- Leisure / Entertainment
- Music - Donald Fagen's 'Eminent Hipster,' Jimi Hendrix Release
- Music - Two CD-Set Features Elvis In Hawaii; Eric Burdon Has New Release
- Music - Billy Joel's 'Love Songs' Set For Release
- Music - Paul Anka Shows Off His Versatility With Compilation CD Of ‘Duets’
- Music - Elvis, Otis Redding Fans Treated To Compilation Sets
- Music - Even At Age 80, Willie Nelson Flaunts Staying Power With Duets Album
- Music - New 63-CD Set Spans Much Of Johnny Cash's Career
- Music - Preservation Jazz Hall Band Celebrates Anniversary
- Music - New Releases Spotlight Garfunkel, Los Lobos
- Music - Television Pioneer Ernie Kovacs Featured In Two New DVD Releases
- Music - Simon’s ‘Graceland’ Album Celebrated With Anniversary Release
- Music - New Releases of Hathaway, Heart Music
- Music - Willie Nelson Still Producing New Music
- Music - New Release of Elvis' Work
- Music - 'The Sound Of Philadelphia'
- Music - Dave Brubeck, Hank Williams Reissues
- Music - Janis Joplin Showcased On 2 New CD Releases
- Music - Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix Reissues
- Legal Articles
- Adult Children May Be Left To Pay Nursing Home Costs Of Indigent Parents
- Make A Resolution That Provides Long-Term Security
- Dialogue Helps Control And Direct Legal, Financial & Medical Matters
- Life Changes Can Require Revisions, Updates To Estate Plan
- Wills Create Solid Foundation For Effective Estate Planning
- Keep Or Shred? Know What To Do With Personal, Financial Records
- Recent Court Ruling Makes It ‘Open Season’ On Adult Children In PA
- Assuring For Care Of Your Pet
- Reader Resources
- Links To Government and Social Services
- Senior Discounts / bradsdeals.com
- For Advertisers / 2013
- To Subscribe
- Contact Us
- Submitting Letters To The Editor
Make A New Year’s Resolution
That Provides Long-Term Security
By Madeleine Sutton-Smith
Guest Contributor
It’s that time of the year again.
The time when January 1st rolls around and we decide to make New Year’s Resolutions. Most people aim to exercise more, eat more healthfully, or get more organized.
While these are all great and valuable goals to put your energy towards, you may want to consider committing to a New Year’s Resolution that will provide lasting security for yourself and your loved ones.
While Estate Planning and Long Term Care Planning may fall low on your list of priorities, it is essential to put yourself first and take steps that will secure your legal, financial and medical well-being. The added benefit to getting your “affairs in order” is that you are also taking care of your family by taking care of yourself.
When you begin to develop an Estate Plan, it is important to have a skilled lawyer who will address all of the essential components of your Estate Plan. In addition to your Will, your lawyer may recommend that you develop a Trust, which would allow for more flexible (or more controlled!) distribution of your assets after death.
As important as it is for you to have an excellent Will (that coordinates how your assets are titled as well as your beneficiary designations), it may even be more important for you to have a General Durable Power of Attorney, which allows you to name an individual whom you would like to act as your advocate in legal and financial matters.
Certified Elder Law Attorney Linda Anderson commented that in many cases, clients who become chronically ill or disabled benefit if their document contains important provisions to permit asset protection planning, such as Medicaid planning, or Veterans Aid and Attendance planning.
Even if you already have an estate plan, it is important to regularly review it to insure that it still reflects your wishes. Your personal circumstances or the laws involving estate planning may have changed the status of your documents.
For instance, as of the time of this article, the law regarding federal estate and gift tax is scheduled to impose a $1million threshold and 55% tax on assets that exceed this threshold. Many of us who don’t think of ourselves being millionaires will be subject to this tax.
Take this test: Add the value of your house, life insurance, retirement account and bank accounts. Does your total exceed $1 million? If yes, then you should be tracking this issue!
Finally, while you are planning for the future, why not make sure your end of life medical instructions are clear as a bell and that you select who will speak for you if there is ever a day when you can’t make your own medical decisions.
No one wants to think about the possibility that he or she may actually not live forever. But, just in case you might not, it is important to recognize that by having a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will that reflects exactly what you want and who you want to help, you are much more likely to get the care you want and need.
Taking time to get your legal papers in order makes for a great New Year’s Resolution. Not only will you and your family reap great benefits in the future, but once you do the simple task of talking to your lawyer, he or she will then do all the remaining work to make sure you are protected!
Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Years for all of us!
Madeleine Sutton Smith is with the law firm of Anderson Elder Law (206 Old State Road in Media, PA), which specializes in areas of practice relating to elder law. For more information, contact the firm at 610-566-4700, info @AndersonElderLaw.com, or visit www.AndersonElderLaw.com.
That Provides Long-Term Security
By Madeleine Sutton-Smith
Guest Contributor
It’s that time of the year again.
The time when January 1st rolls around and we decide to make New Year’s Resolutions. Most people aim to exercise more, eat more healthfully, or get more organized.
While these are all great and valuable goals to put your energy towards, you may want to consider committing to a New Year’s Resolution that will provide lasting security for yourself and your loved ones.
While Estate Planning and Long Term Care Planning may fall low on your list of priorities, it is essential to put yourself first and take steps that will secure your legal, financial and medical well-being. The added benefit to getting your “affairs in order” is that you are also taking care of your family by taking care of yourself.
When you begin to develop an Estate Plan, it is important to have a skilled lawyer who will address all of the essential components of your Estate Plan. In addition to your Will, your lawyer may recommend that you develop a Trust, which would allow for more flexible (or more controlled!) distribution of your assets after death.
As important as it is for you to have an excellent Will (that coordinates how your assets are titled as well as your beneficiary designations), it may even be more important for you to have a General Durable Power of Attorney, which allows you to name an individual whom you would like to act as your advocate in legal and financial matters.
Certified Elder Law Attorney Linda Anderson commented that in many cases, clients who become chronically ill or disabled benefit if their document contains important provisions to permit asset protection planning, such as Medicaid planning, or Veterans Aid and Attendance planning.
Even if you already have an estate plan, it is important to regularly review it to insure that it still reflects your wishes. Your personal circumstances or the laws involving estate planning may have changed the status of your documents.
For instance, as of the time of this article, the law regarding federal estate and gift tax is scheduled to impose a $1million threshold and 55% tax on assets that exceed this threshold. Many of us who don’t think of ourselves being millionaires will be subject to this tax.
Take this test: Add the value of your house, life insurance, retirement account and bank accounts. Does your total exceed $1 million? If yes, then you should be tracking this issue!
Finally, while you are planning for the future, why not make sure your end of life medical instructions are clear as a bell and that you select who will speak for you if there is ever a day when you can’t make your own medical decisions.
No one wants to think about the possibility that he or she may actually not live forever. But, just in case you might not, it is important to recognize that by having a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will that reflects exactly what you want and who you want to help, you are much more likely to get the care you want and need.
Taking time to get your legal papers in order makes for a great New Year’s Resolution. Not only will you and your family reap great benefits in the future, but once you do the simple task of talking to your lawyer, he or she will then do all the remaining work to make sure you are protected!
Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Years for all of us!
Madeleine Sutton Smith is with the law firm of Anderson Elder Law (206 Old State Road in Media, PA), which specializes in areas of practice relating to elder law. For more information, contact the firm at 610-566-4700, info @AndersonElderLaw.com, or visit www.AndersonElderLaw.com.