National Disabilities Month What Are the Different Types of Special Needs Trusts in Virginia
If you are responsible for a family member with special needs, you must consider how you will provide for them after you are gone. Leaving an inheritance isn’t ideal, as it may disqualify them from need-based government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Instead, consider special needs trusts (SNTs).
Estate Planning for Blended Families (Stepchildren/Remarriages)
Estate planning for blended families involves unique challenges. The complexity of blended family structures, which often involve several children from previous marriages, often calls for more intricate estate planning. Drafting a comprehensive estate plan as early as possible will help protect everyone’s interests, reduce conflict, and avoid legal pitfalls. Why Careful
Estate Planning for Divorced Families
If you’re divorced, you probably made sure your divorce agreement includes all the major financial aspects of property division, child support, and alimony. Now it’s time for the next step: updating your estate plan. Estate planning for divorced families involves unique challenges, and any mistake or oversight could have far-reaching legal
Digital Estate Planning: What Happens with Your Digital Assets When You Die?
In the past, estate planning used to be about deciding who will inherit and manage your finances and physical assets after you die. Today, a big part of our lives happens online, driving demand for a new service: digital estate planning. At Commonwealth Life & Legacy Counsel, our experienced estate
Why You Should Consider a Living Will and Advance Medical Directive
While most estate planning involves protecting your legacy for what you will leave to your heirs when you pass away, there’s another essential part to consider: who will make decisions for you during your lifetime if you are unable to make them for yourself? A living will and advance medical
What is a Revocable Trust and Do I Need One?
A well-written and fully funded revocable trust allows your beneficiaries to avoid probate while giving you control over your assets during your lifetime and managing their use and distribution after you die. While you are alive and have the mental ability to manage your affairs, your trust is completely subject to
What Does an Elder Law Attorney Do in Central Virginia?
Senior citizens 65 or older account for about 16% of Virginia’s population. These seniors often have complex legal needs that include estate planning, protecting assets from Medicaid, and planning for disability. Estate Planning in Virginia Our comprehensive estate planning services can help you manage your estate during your lifetime and streamline asset
A Lawyer Can Help You Get SSDI Approval Faster
If you are applying for disability benefits, it makes sense to have a disability attorney represent your interests. Hiring a disability attorney can streamline the process for faster approval. Federal law regulates the fees when hiring a disability attorney to correlate to your date of entitlement or disability payback which is generally 25
What You Need to Ask Your Elder Law Attorney
Planning for the future and considering financial matters can be a challenging and emotional experience. However, it is crucial to wisely manage your assets while aging and provide for the family members who will survive you. Your elder law attorney knows how to create an estate plan strategy that addresses these
Important Things to Know About Living Wills
Would you still be able to make decisions about your healthcare if you became seriously ill or injured? You don’t have to be old to become incapacitated. A living will, a component of an advance health care directive can outline your wishes so that your loved ones can make informed