The Importance of Crisis Planning for Seniors
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The Importance of Crisis Planning for Seniors

Aging, Estate Planning

The Importance of Crisis Planning for Seniors

Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Oftentimes, families contact our office for crisis planning for seniors in their lives, struggling to manage the needs of their loved ones, while caught up in the emotions and stress that comes along with navigating a challenging situation. When in this heightened state of desperation, crisis planning for seniors makes it difficult for families to find appropriate and reliable long-term care options for their loved ones. Our team of care coordinators, including social workers, support our clients through these trying times, helping them access the best care [...]

Kathleen Magee2024-03-20T15:52:52-04:00March 21, 2024|

What is a Lady Bird Deed?
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What is a Lady Bird Deed?

Estate Planning

What is a Lady Bird Deed?

In estate planning, there are many legal tools available to protect and manage assets. One particular tool is the Lady Bird deed. The Lady Bird deed, also known as an enhanced life estate deed, is an important legal document that provides specific benefits in estate planning. The Lady Bird deed is a specialized type of life estate deed that allows the owner of a property to retain control over it while they're alive but automatically transfer the property to a pre-determined beneficiary upon death without going through probate. What sets it apart from a traditional life estate deed is the [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T11:06:35-05:00September 14, 2023|

The Role of a Healthcare Proxy in Elder Care
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The Role of a Healthcare Proxy in Elder Care

Estate Planning

The Role of a Healthcare Proxy in Elder Care

The designation of a healthcare proxy in elder care is an essential aspect of planning for the future, especially for seniors who want to honor their healthcare wishes. Understanding the role and importance of a healthcare proxy in elder care can provide peace of mind and protect the rights of elderly individuals. As age-related illnesses or cognitive decline can sometimes impair the ability to make informed healthcare decisions, having a trusted healthcare proxy becomes increasingly vital. The Role of a Healthcare Proxy in Elder Care A healthcare proxy, also known as a medical power of attorney or healthcare agent, is [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T11:06:49-05:00September 7, 2023|

Frequently Asked Questions about Powers of Attorney
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Frequently Asked Questions about Powers of Attorney

Estate Planning

Frequently Asked Questions about Powers of Attorney

In this comprehensive overview, we answer the questions you may be asking about powers of attorney, living wills, and attorneys-in-fact to give you a well-rounded understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and processes that follow. How to Use This Information This article is organized into seven parts: (1) About the Power of Attorney; (2) Powers and Duties of an Attorney-in-Fact; (3) Using the Power of Attorney; (4) Financial Management and Liability of an Attorney-in-Fact; (5) Relationship of the Power of Attorney to Other Legal Devices; (6) Health Care and the Power of Attorney; and (7) Guardians and Powers of Attorney. 1. [...]

Jerold Rothkoff2024-03-08T11:09:12-05:00March 28, 2023|

The Value of Planning Before a Senior Healthcare Crisis
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The Value of Planning Before a Senior Healthcare Crisis

Aging, Estate Planning

The Value of Planning Before a Senior Healthcare Crisis

Recently, Tina Kane, one of our elder care coordinators, and I were invited to speak on the Givnish Spotlight hour on WWDB 860 AM. The show is led by representatives of the Life Celebrations family of funeral homes, a group that advocates for preneed burial and funeral planning. The reason for our invitation to join a few weeks ago was to discuss the value of planning as we age. Simple in concept, complex in execution. If there's a list of things we dislike or avoid talking about, I imagine death and dying would be near the top. Not far [...]

Bryan Adler2024-03-08T11:11:49-05:00February 3, 2023|

Solo Agers: Identifying Support Care, Asset, and Legal Support
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Solo Agers: Identifying Support Care, Asset, and Legal Support

Aging, Estate Planning

Solo Agers: Identifying Support Care, Asset, and Legal Support

A recent New York Times article detailed an increasing cohort of solo agers—those over 50 aging alone—and the physical, financial, and psychological effects of doing so. In 1960, less than 15% of households had a single occupant; that figure is nearly 30% today. Almost twice as many Americans over the age of 50 live alone today than in the year 2000. The research on this is clear: Seniors living alone have poorer physical and mental health and shorter life spans. In fact, research shows that loneliness is as damaging to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Because solo agers [...]

Bryan Adler2024-03-08T11:17:13-05:00December 2, 2022|

The Life Care Plan: A Complex and Confusing Puzzle
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The Life Care Plan: A Complex and Confusing Puzzle

Estate Planning, Aging

The Life Care Plan: A Complex and Confusing Puzzle

Navigating a successful life care plan is much like a puzzle. Every step must be correct to progress and complete the plan. I love puzzles. Crosswords, sudoku, cryptograms, almost any puzzle. My friends and family poke fun at me for casually glancing at a puzzle on the NY Times iPhone app when I should be engaged otherwise (like at dinner or at my daughters’ soccer games). Regardless of my penchant for puzzles at inopportune times, my wife, Stefanie, recently gave me The Puzzler by A.J. Jacobs. The book follows Jacobs’ “quest to solve the most baffling puzzles ever, from crosswords [...]

Bryan Adler2024-03-08T11:21:57-05:00October 14, 2022|

Elder Care Coordinators at Rothkoff Law Group
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Elder Care Coordinators at Rothkoff Law Group

Around the Office

Elder Care Coordinators at Rothkoff Law Group

Rothkoff Law Group follows a unique care-first approach to elder law, allowing Elder Care Coordinators (ECCs) to help our clients navigate the long-term care maze while advocating for their needs. The Elder Care Coordinators generally come from a background in long-term care, such as a subacute community, hospital, or local area agency on aging. When introducing ourselves and our roles, it is often received with an intrigued look along with, "What would a care coordinator do in a law firm?" The Elder Care Coordinators, in conjunction with other members of the firm, assist clients and their families in making certain [...]

Rothkoff Law Group2024-03-08T11:25:17-05:00August 23, 2022|

Elder Care Law Services and the Power of the Written Word
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Elder Care Law Services and the Power of the Written Word

Aging

Elder Care Law Services and the Power of the Written Word

As we deal with the day-to-day issues of managing a law firm and providing elder care law services for clients and their loved ones, we sometimes unintentionally forget why we do what we do. It is a natural human reaction to address the here and now before you. Our focus as an elder care law firm is to ensure our clients receive the best care possible, determine how care can be reasonably paid for, and ease the burden on the caregiver family member. We received a handwritten note via mail from the child of a recently deceased client. We have [...]

Jerold Rothkoff2024-03-08T12:22:44-05:00October 1, 2021|