A Probate Potpourri
This week we looked for cases (and stories) illustrating important principles from probate court. We found a surprising batch of cases, and wanted to share them all. Hence this probate potpourri. We have four cases (from California, Louisiana, Maine, and New York) to share with you. California: “right of survivorship” may not mean what it […]
November Roundup: Death, Divorce, and Holiday Help
It may seem too early for the November roundup of elder law news items. But December is less than a week away, so it’s time. This month, in our survey of the elder law landscape, we stumbled upon a real-life circumstance that illustrates the conundrum that divorce sometimes creates for divorcing couples. Plus: tax updates, […]
Judgment Against Grandparents in Child Custody Fight
We sometimes meet with grandparents who are worried about their child’s ability to raise their grandchildren. Sometimes the grandparents are in a child custody fight. Most often they are genuinely concerned about real shortcomings. Occasionally their complaint is really about access being cut off. But last week we read a story about a grandmother and […]
New Estate Tax Limits Highlight Need to Plan
Every year, the IRS announces inflation-adjusted numbers for all kinds of tax-related things. Estate and gift tax limits are among them, and the 2020 numbers are here. The new estate tax limits will be $11.58 million per person, up from $11.4 million. The same figure applies to lifetime gift tax exclusion, as well. That means […]
Adult Guardianship Jurisdiction — Where to File
Families — and practitioners — frequently face a problem associated with our mobile society. After a family member moves across state lines, in which state should any court actions be filed? In other words, who has jurisdiction over adult guardianship proceedings? Wait — isn’t there a law on that? We’ve written before about the Uniform […]
October Roundup: Britney, Death Taxes, Rats Driving Cars
Each month, we like to survey the elder law landscape and share news stories we found interesting or helpful. The main October roundup item focuses on someone who’s not old: Britney Spears. She remains under conservatorship, a legal arrangement designed to help incapacitated people, often elderly but not always: What’s the Deal With Britney? Maria […]
Social Security’s 2020 COLA Increase
Each year the U.S. Social Security Administration calculates an adjustment in the cost of living (COLA). The 2020 COLA increase has now been set at 1.6%. That means that, starting January 1, 2020, a number of changes will cascade through the benefit structure. How will the 2020 COLA increase affect you, or your family member? […]
DIY Estate Plans: Shortcuts That Shortchange
Can you write your own Will? Sure, Arizona law (like laws in many other states) allows you to write your wishes in your own handwriting and sign it. Such a DIY estate plan could be perfectly valid. You also can find all kinds of forms online not only for estate plans but for other legal […]
Arizona’s Statutory Health Care Power of Attorney
Like many states, Arizona has included a statutory health care power of attorney in its law. That means the legislature has written a power of attorney form for you. You can fill it out, sign it and have it witnessed, and you have a completely valid document. The Arizona Attorney General’s office has even made […]
September Roundup: Watchdogs, Wealth Tax, and More
October is just around the corner, which means it’s time for our end-of-the-month collection of elder law news items. Some of the September roundup items challenge conventional assumptions about watchdogs, death at home, wealth taxes, and obituaries: Do Watchdog Agencies Protect Us? Many believe that if you lodge a complaint with a state agency about […]
