During the estate planning process, you will likely have concerns about how your assets will disburse. If you pass them on through your will, they must go through probate court before your beneficiaries can receive them. Due to the fees involved, probate can diminish...
Year: 2020
Senior bankruptcy might help you against the odds
Forces beyond your control stack the deck against your finances. Wage stagnation proves a problem for most people. But as a senior citizen, it may be difficult for you to find a steady job in the first place. Companies in Michigan and beyond are shifting from pension...
Is a special needs trust right for your family?
If someone in your family has a disability, he or she may be incapable of working. Fortunately, government assistance programs may provide medical care, basic income or other support. Public programs do not usually offer much else, unfortunately. Special needs trusts...
The process of choosing an executor
One of the most important decisions a person can ever make is naming an executor in his or her will. The executor is responsible for managing the estate after the death of the person who made the will, also known as the testator. The responsibility for managing the...
The challenge of applying for SSD benefits for fibromyalgia
The Social Security Administration initially rejects a majority of the applications for benefits that it receives. This can be disheartening, but you should not give up. The SSA also has an appeals process in place, and your chances of approval often improve the...
Who is at risk for elder abuse?
You may have an elderly loved one whom you fear could be at risk for abuse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, the prevalence of mistreatment of the elderly is approximately 10%, but researchers acknowledge that underreporting could be at play....
Evaluating estate tax planning strategies
As you begin the estate planning process in Michigan, you quickly notice that one of its main purposes is to help you optimize your plans in order to ensure that as much of your accumulated wealth as is possible passes on to your beneficiaries. Yet many of those come...
Burnout or stress from work may qualify for SSDI benefits
Debilitating stress or exhaustion caused by an individual’s work may qualify for Social Security disability insurance benefits. An overly demanding occupation, such as working in the health care industry, may lead to an injury or condition that requires medical...
Understanding Michigan bankruptcy exemptions
Many people avoid filing for bankruptcy because they worry about losing their possessions. In fact, bankruptcy laws allow filers to keep certain assets, including equity in a primary home and a vehicle. Before pursuing bankruptcy in Michigan, review the state's laws...
What red flags indicate undue influence?
As a resident of Michigan, you must rely on your loved one's estate plan to know what their wishes are after their death. In most cases, the estate plan is the perfect window into your loved one's wants and needs. But sometimes, an estate plan or will gets written...