Elder Law

Estate Planning For Your E-mail Account

Published on: January 13, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

What would happen to your e-mail accounts if you suddenly died?

Are familiar with the notion of a digital estate? What happens to your online bank accounts, emails, social media and your entire digital presence on the web when you pass away?

Imagine a world without you in which your heirs cannot access your digital assets. They cannot access your e-mails, either practically or legally, to get to important legal or financial information, whether about bank accounts or friends. Sadly, that is the reality in most scenarios today.

Money Talks With Your Parents

Published on: January 9, 2014 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

Aging parents need to establish a plan and communicate it with their adult kids — and adult kids need to ask their parents about their finances.

In our own lives, our parents start and run the money conversations from that first allowance to gearing up for those college loans and beyond. Later in life, the roles are reversed and our elderly parents might need a money conversation about their own future and well-being. Unfortunately, to make that conversation happen, it may be up to the adult children to take the lead.

Yes, it is truly a role reversal and often an important one. How do you start “the talk” and get it right?

Understanding The “Do Not Hospitalize” Directive for Houston Families

Published on: December 27, 2013 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

Often, proxies are confused about how “do not hospitalize” orders work. Several proxies believed, mistakenly, that a such an order was equivalent to a request to withhold medical intervention altogether.

For elderly loved ones in nursing homes, there is a very powerful tool found in a little known directive known as the “do not hospitalize” directive. Unfortunately, it also happens to be underused and misunderstood, as pointed out in recent article in The New Old Age Blog titled simply “A Misunderstood Directive.”

Advanced directives, as you may well know, are your medical choices reduced to black and white. They are intended to speak for you when you cannot. “Do not hospitalize” does not mean you do not want to receive care. In fact, you can even spell out the circumstances when you really want to go the hospital!

Empathy for Aging Loved Ones in Houston… Even If They Grumble

Published on: December 10, 2013 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

Now I am 86 and almost blind. I cannot read the bills that come in the mail nor sign my own checks. I must be escorted to medical appointments. My busy children are kind beyond measure, but I am uncomfortable in these situations. And being uncomfortable makes me sharp and unpleasant.

The challenges of living with and caring for an aging loved one can be stressful, for all involved. You have to remember, just as it is difficult to provide care, it is not an easy thing to be the one receiving the care either. Over and above all the medical issues, the time crunches, or the money concerns, oftentimes it is the emotional issues (and even the fighting) that can wear on you.

Enjoy Some Diet COLA With Your Social Security

Published on: November 23, 2013 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

The nation's elderly and disabled Social Security recipients will receive a 1.5 percent increase in payments in 2014. The same COLA will apply to pensions for federal government retirees and most veterans.

According to recent news from the Social Security Administration, the Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) made to Social Security payments will increase 1.5% in 2014. Although it is a small increase, you will be able to enjoy some "diet COLA" with your Social Security next year.

ElderLawAnswers weighed in on the news in an article titled “Social Security Benefits to Rise Only 1.5 Percent in 2014,” while the SSA has issued its own COLA Fact Sheet.

Are You A Money Manager For Others in Houston?

Published on: November 20, 2013 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

If you’re handling the finances for an older family member or are about to do so, some sticky challenges can pop up quicker than you think.

Managing your personal finances can be a challenge. But what if you had to manage money for someone else? Managing the finances of a loved one is a far more tenuous role to occupy, as the outcome involves another's well-being instead of your own.

If you are caring for an elderly loved one and stepping up to oversee their finances as well, then there are some important rules to know and follow.

Houston Children Have Help in Handling The Assets Of Aging Loved Ones

Published on: November 16, 2013 | By McCulloch & Miller, PLLC

Millions of Americans are managing money or property for a loved one who is unable to pay bills or make financial decisions. This can be very overwhelming. But, it’s also a great opportunity to help someone you care about, and protect them from scams and fraud.

Handling finances can be tricky for yourself alone. So imagine the task of taking care of your elderly loved one’s finances. How do you take care of business for someone else?

The issue is much more than one of financial acumen. No, there are very specific rules to follow depending upon the role you take on and it is important to play the part properly.