Elderlaw News October 2010
October 2010
- Prevent Your Power of Attorney from Being Ignored
- Social Security May Soon Put Lid on Benefits ‘Do-Over’ Strategy
- BOOK REVIEW: Death for Beginners: Your No-Nonsense, Money-Saving Guide to Planning for the Inevitable
- Tips on Providing for Children with Disabilities
- Nursing Home Can’t Honor Resident’s Request for White-Only Caregivers
Clients, Colleagues, and Friends:
We are proud to announce that Caitlin E. Harper has become a Certified Elder Law Attorney. Caitlin joins attorneys Julian Gray and Frank Petrich as a CELA with the firm, making Julian Gray Associates the only law firm in Western Pennsylvania with three Certified Elder Law Attorneys.
Prevent Your Power of Attorney from Being Ignored
A durable power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents there is. However, many people experience difficulty in getting banks or other financial institutions to recognize the authority of an agent under a power of attorney.
Social Security May Soon Put Lid on Benefits ‘Do-Over’ Strategy
The Social Security Administration may soon eliminate a loophole that allows Social Security recipients to claim benefits early and then apply for them again years later when they are eligible for larger checks. An economist estimates that taking advantage of the “do-over” scheme could increase a retiree’s living standard by as much as 15 percent — but there’s a significant catch.
BOOK REVIEW: Death for Beginners: Your No-Nonsense, Money-Saving Guide to Planning for the Inevitable
In guiding readers through the myriad choices required upon exiting this mortal coil, author Karen Jones has managed to write a book about death that’s a delight to read. Burial or cremation? Funeral or memorial service? The choices are numerous and without some guidance and advance planning, our loved ones may be consumed with anxiety about what to do, and may end up spending far more on our demise than necessary.
Tips on Providing for Children with Disabilities
One of the major concerns for parents or grandparents of children with disabilities is how to provide for the child’s financial future. Here are some legal tips, including buying enough life insurance, setting up a trust and coordinating with other family members.
Nursing Home Can’t Honor Resident’s Request for White-Only Caregivers
A federal court in Indiana has ruled that a nursing home cannot honor patients’ requests for caregivers based on race. The case, which pitted nursing home residents’ rights against discrimination law, establishes that there may be a limit to a nursing home resident’s right to choose a health care provider.