Questions for Aging Parents
A recent Real Simple magazine article examines how adult children and their parents can have an open discussion about their concerns, and together face the challenges of aging. This discussion is often not an easy one to have; a 2001 AARP study revealed that three-quarters of adult children think about their parents' ability to live independently, but one-third of the children surveyed have avoided discussing the topic with their parents. The results for parents are similar; a little over two-thirds said they think about their ability to live independently, but more than one-third said they do not discuss the subject with their children. The article provided several conversation-starting questions that adult children can ask their parents.
Planning Tip of the Day
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
I love this mantra -- Today, life comes with many challenges: health care, finances and family matters. Sometimes, you can't control what happens.
Another Budget Bill Behind Us
A very strong effort was made this year by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Elder Law Section to combat proposed cuts that would adversely affect our seniors and those with disabilities. The following are two provisions that were in the original proposed Budget Bill.
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What Every Parent who has a Child with Special Needs Should Know about Estate Planning
Written by Vincent J. RussoRegardless of your child's age or special need, as a parent you want nothing more than to make sure you are doing everything to love, nurture, protect and provide for your child. From the moment your eyes first meet, you experience a flood of emotions – hope, love, fear – emotions that envelop your every thought. You wonder, "Will I make the right decisions?" "Am I prepared for this life-long journey?" and "Who will care for my child if I am no longer here?" Where do you begin? You develop a plan.
The Family Health Care Decisions Act became New York Law on March 16, 2010.
The new law covers New York residents (other than the developmentally disabled and the mentally retarded who are covered under a different statute) who lack the capacity to make health care and end of life decisions for themselves, even if such individuals previously had capacity but never expressed their wishes in a health care proxy or living will. This new law was 17 years in the making.
Part D Recipients Must Repay Mistaken Refunds - Second Court Ruling
A federal appeals court has again ruled that 230,000 Medicare Part D beneficiaries who were erroneously mailed a premium refund do not have the right to apply for a waiver excusing them from repaying the money. Action Alliance of Senior Citizens v. Sebelius (D.C. Cir., No. 09-5191, June 18, 2010).
Surrogate Decision Making Comes To New York
The Family Health Care Decisions Act became New York Law on March 16, 2010. The new law covers New York residents (other than the developmentally disabled and the mentally retarded who are covered under a different statute) who lack the capacity to make health care and end of life decisions for themselves, even if such individuals previously had capacity but never expressed their wishes in a health care proxy or living will. This new law was 17 years in the making.
