For younger patients, early-onset Alzheimer’s symptoms are usually disregarded or blamed on fatigue, depression or stress. It often takes a very long time before a young person having problems with memory loss or confusion is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The Concord Monitor reports, in “Stolen Memories: Problems with diagnosis of…
Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Did the New Tax Law Change Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2018?
If you are 50 or older, you can put $6,500 into your Roth IRA: that includes a “catch up” contribution of $1,000. Typical Roth IRA contributions are still limited to $5,500 a year. There are income limits, which you’ll need to be careful about. One good thing about the new…
Why Your Estate Plan Should Include Life Insurance
We insure our homes, our cars and even our ability to work. We also buy life insurance, which could be the most important insurance policy you own and not just for when you have passed away. People typically think of life insurance as a means of paying final expenses, such…
Are You Sure You’re Ready for Retirement?
Use this checklist to be certain that you and your finances are properly prepared for retirement. According to The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, 20% of Americans are wrong about when they’ll be able to retire. That also means that 80% have it right—which group do you belong…
Can a Revocable Land Trust Shield Assets from Medicaid?
Control of an asset is a key element, when Medicaid considers an individual’s eligibility. A recent article from nj.com, “What revocable land trusts mean to Medicaid eligibility,” starts with what sounds almost like a warning: it’s not easy to protect or hide assets from Medicaid. A revocable land trust won't…
50 or Older? Here are a Few Retirement Questions for You
You don’t need to create a spreadsheet or write a book-length plan, but anyone in their 50s, who wants to have a successful retirement, is advised to start getting their thoughts organized. Research shows that people who have more specific ideas of how they want to spend this part of…
Massive Sweep of Elder Identity Fraudsters but Millions More at Risk
The use of technology—including cell phones, emails and social media—has dramatically increased the number of potential victims. There’s good news and bad news on the elder fraud front. Law enforcement recently conducted the largest sweep of elder fraud cases specifically targeting the elderly, according the article “Law Enforcement Conducts Largest…
Business-Owning Baby Boomers Need to Start Succession Planning
With an estimated 10,000 Boomers retiring every day, members of this generation who own businesses should already have their succession plans in place. Exit or succession planning is a lot more complicated than most business recognize. It takes a long time if it is to be done properly. A recent…
Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Estate Auction a Festival of Hollywood Bling, Old School Style
Famed for a long string of husbands, Zsa Zsa’s estate auction will include the glamorous four-poster bed that she shared with three of her nine husbands. Yes, nine! If you’re in the market for glitz, check out the estate sale of the late Zsa Zsa Gabor, actress and socialite as…
What’s on the Mind of Gen-Xers: Not Retirement Planning
A survey found that Gen Xers are less concerned about retirement planning than they are about other financial challenges. Don’t forget that group that’s between the headline grabbing millennials and boomers: Generation Xers, Americans between ages 36-55. A survey from the IRA (Insured Retirement Institute) appears to have uncovered a…