We may be lucky to reach retirement, but that does not mean we will arrive there in good health. Some people develop mental conditions such as Alzheimer's or dementia either as an early-onset condition or one that affects them in their older years. These people may...
Avoid these four common estate planning mistakes
A lot of people think that estate planning is nothing more than throwing together a simple will to ensure that assets are passed on to immediate family members. While that might be true for some, others would benefit from a more thoughtful and detailed estate plan....
Court requires strict compliance for will witnesses
Interested parties, whether beneficiaries or unnamed family members, concern themselves primarily with the question: “Who gets what?” With a valid will, they know the answer. Generally, under Kentucky law, wills require twoof witnesses who attest in the individuals’...
Can I use a trust to qualify for Medicaid?
As we enter our twilight years, Medicaid becomes much more important, if not vital to our long-term planning. After all, nursing homes can cost well over $100,000 a year, and this cost is not covered by Medicare. And, for each dollar that goes to your long-term care...
What if I do not want to leave my adult child an inheritance?
Family relationships can be complicated, to put it nicely, and you may conclude that you do not want to leave an inheritance to your adult child. Perhaps there is bad blood between you and your child or perhaps you simply feel your child does not need the inheritance...
A will contest in Kentucky
When Kentuckians sign their wills, they assume that the probate court will give legal effect to the terms of the will as written. Occasionally, however; an heir of the deceased will feel cheated by the will’s specific bequests. In such cases, the heir’s only remedy is...
Health care surrogates: What they can and cannot do
Being fully prepared for the future means making difficult decisions. Kentucky residents are planning for their futures and those of their family members should consider naming a health care surrogate. What powers do health care surrogates have? The law is specific as...
Talking to your living parents about their current will
In a sense, Hollywood has glamorized the reading of a will. They often depict family members sitting in a room or at a large table while a loved one’s will is read. They patiently wait to hear what is bequeathed to them. This either results in an end where each family...
Are your parents at risk with DIY estate planning?
Do you or your parents think that estate planning looks easy? If so, then you’re in the same boat as a lot of Kentuckians. But don’t let the perception of simpleness dupe you into thinking that you can forego formal estate planning or that you can successfully create...
How can I revoke my will?
It’s common to make changes to a will. In fact, good estate planning attorneys recommend that their clients update their wills regularly, and especially after any major life changes. Sometimes these updates require only minor changes or additions. Sometimes they...
