One of the most important estate planning decisions you will make is deciding who will be responsible for your care if you become disabled and who will administer your will or trust after your death. This “job” often requires a great deal of time and responsibility which can include making health care decisions, paying bills, managing finances, yearly accountings, investment decisions, filing tax returns, dealing with other family members, etc. Most people typically just name

It wasn't that long ago that the on-line world was something used primarily by the younger generation. Now it touches nearly every aspect of our lives and it continues to grow apace. Facebook surpassed one billion active users last year - it now reaches 1 out of 7 people on the planet. Google has 400 million registered users and more than 100 million active users every month. With more than 75% of American households owning a computer, it is common for people to have multiple

I am frequently asked about how to handle all the personal possessions a loved one has accumulated over the years. It is not uncommon to hear that a loved one "kept everything" dating back decades and now the family is at a loss of how to even begin to deal with all the stuff. Most people unfortunately spend years accumulating personal property - some of which can be quite valuable - with little thought given to what will happen to it after they die. As expected, addressing t

Every January, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) releases updated figures for Medicaid qualification. Occasionally, there are not any increases in the Medicaid figures just as in some years there is not a cost of living increase for Social Security benefits. For 2023, just as Social Security recipients received a cost of living adjustment, MDHHS has also increased its Medicaid figures. The maximum spousal share is the maximum amount of countable ass

Living into your eighties is no longer uncommon. With the doubling of life expectancy since the Industrial Revolution, we have achieved what has been described as the “greatest miracle in the history of our species.” Today the average life expectancy is nearly 80 years. According to data compiled by the Social Security Administration, a 65 year old male today can expect to live nearly two more decades, while a 65 year old woman can expect to live until age 87 (and those ar