Recent research by the Kaiser Family Foundation examined the differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage. While people in either program were similarly satisfied with their care and overall care coordination, some distinctions became apparent. Traditional Medicare’s Strengths Traditional Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older and individuals with disabilities.…
November will mark National Family Caregivers Month. Today, roughly 3 million children reside with grandparents who have committed to being their primary caregivers, according to Pew Research Center estimates. Grandparents may step in when the child’s parents can no longer take care of the child, when the parents pass away, or when a court takes…
More than 55 million people around the world currently suffer from dementia. Advanced age remains the main risk factor for developing dementia. Yet recent studies have uncovered several other potential risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline that you may not expect. Having poor oral hygiene. Finnish researchers recently found that gum disease and tooth loss could…
By James S. Rizzo, Esq.* “The difference between death and taxes is death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets” – Will Rogers I often tell clients if they have to worry about the estate tax, it’s a “good problem to have”, as that means their asset level is high. That was not the case…
By James S. Rizzo, Esq.* “If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design.” – Ralf Speth When completing a Will, it is imperative to craft or “design” it to meet your goals and keep your legacy intact. The following is a list of basic design elements to…
By James S. Rizzo, Esq.* “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!” – The Brady Bunch (1969-1974) Anyone who ever grew up with or saw The Brady Bunch will recall the trials and tribulations of America’s most famous blended family. What seemed like a rather novel concept in the 1970s is of course commonplace today. According to a recent…
By James S. Rizzo, Esq.* “What’s in a name?” – William Shakespeare To answer Shakespeare, “Everything!” Many people may not associate naming beneficiaries on insurance and financial documents as “estate planning” because it usually does not involve a visit with an attorney. However, what is normally the easiest form of estate planning is often neglected…
By James S. Rizzo, Esq.* “Out of crisis comes clarity.” – Randolph O’Toole I’m sure by now most people have had their fill of quarantine, health fears and/or much worse, having to deal with a loved one who has fallen ill or passed away during this pandemic. Many feel anxiety about the real or perceived…
By James S. Rizzo, Esq.* “A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” – Hunter S. Thompson Clients are often surprised when I tell them the Power of Attorney is arguably the most urgent estate planning document to have completed, with a Will and Health Care…
By James S. Rizzo, Esq.* “Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.” – Ruth E. Wenkel Transferring ownership of property to children as people age, while retaining the right to live at the property for the rest of one’s life (in legal jargon, “retaining a life estate”), is a common practice but…
