Burnett & Griffin, PLLC
One of the most difficult parts of growing older is feeling less in control of decision making. It’s important to you to retain your independence and make sure your voice is heard. This can be even more difficult if an illness leads to your incapacitation. Maybe you’ve planned everything else – you’ve written a will and planned your estate – why not make your medical wishes known too?
Every estate plan should be tailored to the unique needs of the individual. There are many estate planning tools that can be used, but some tools may be more appropriate for one situation or goal over another.
If you have a child with special needs, one of your estate planning goals may be to help financially support that child after you pass away. One way to accomplish this goal is by creating a third-party special needs trust.
There are many reasons why you might not already have a will. However, the truth is that almost everyone should have a will, even those who do not think they have anything of value to pass on.
As pointed out by AARP, if you died from injuries sustained in an accident and your estate won a significant amount of money in the settlement, who would get the money? If you do not have a will, Kentucky's intestacy succession laws will determine who receives your assets, but these laws are not personalized to your wishes the way a will is.
Many families across the United States face the devastating diagnosis of terminal cancers or the catastrophic effects of debilitating car crashes. Yet thinking about your assets and medical care if you are injured or fall ill proves difficult.
Especially as we age, it gets more essential to prepare for significant life changes. Although it may prove tough, designating loved ones to take the role of determining both your medical treatment and helping sort through your assets is responsible. Should you find yourself incapable of making sound decisions, naming a family member as a health care surrogate or a durable power of attorney helps you find peace of mind in knowing your health and property lies in safe hands.
In 2014, people aged 65 or older made up approximately 14.5% of the total population of the United States. In the next sixteen years, people aged 65 years or older are expected to outnumber the under-18 population. As the Senior population continues to grow, we need to be increasingly diligent about guarding against elder abuse.
A recent study from the Institute on Disability in New Hampshire reported that in 2015, approximately 10% of the adult population under 65 was disabled. Although those statistics are the median for the United States as a whole, in some places those statistics may be as much as doubled. Kentucky, for example, had approximately 150-200% greater adult disabled population than the national average.
Q: If the other parent and I live in different states, how do we know where to file our custody case?
A: The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, most often simply referred to as the UCCJEA, determines the state that you must file in. If the child has never been subject to a custody case, then you will file where the child has lived for at least six months.
Sometimes one parent will file for custody in his or her state, although the child does not live there. The other state does not have jurisdiction. You will need to appear and ask the Court to dismiss the action for lack of jurisdiction, or you should hire an attorney in that state to do so on your behalf.
As of 2017, 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. That equates to about one in 8 seniors. Alzheimer's is now the 6th leading cause of death in our country, raising concerns about caring for these individuals as baby boomers continue to age.
Dementia is a disease that is becoming increasingly prevalent among our senior population. The Alzheimer's Association has stated that approximately 1 in 9 people over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Dementia patients encompass those with Alzheimer's but also includes other brain impairments with symptoms of memory disorder, personality changes, and impaired reasoning. As the population of those above 65 years old continues to rise, the population of dementia patients is on the rise as well.
One of the most common issues related to the care of senior citizens is related to companionship. This is a particularly common issue if the person is still in their home. The elderly often have health problems which prevent them from regularly leaving their home. It is often the case that they live alone. Even when the senior has regular visitors there will be times when they are alone and loneliness can become an issue.
Burnett & Griffin, PLLC
915 Memorial Court
Suite 100
Elizabethtown,
KY
42701
Phone:
270-506-0246
Fax:
877-471-1309
Elizabethtown Law Office Map
