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AdobeStock_129036669-300x200This is the second installment of a two-part series about the realities of and remedies for sibling rivalry over family inheritance. For more about what causes and complicates sibling rivalry, read Inheritance: The #1 Cause of Adult Sibling Rivalry.

In part one of this series, we learned just how prevalent and problematic sibling rivalry can be when it comes to dealing with issues of inheritance. Luckily, the secrets to avoiding these kinds of conflicts can be universally applied.

The Ameriprise research that indicated 70% of sibling conflicts arise over these kinds of issues also showed that — happily — 61% of siblings will attempt to talk through the issues. Unfortunately, Continue reading

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Money on the table, next to a cardboard sign with Prepaid Expenses writtenAssets count when it comes to qualifying for Medicaid, but some assets related to your funeral expenses are excluded, and prepaying them is an acceptable way to spend down your assets to qualify for Medicaid, or Title XIX.

Specifically, here’s what the State of Connecticut allows:

Irrevocable Funeral Trust or Contract

You can prepay up to $10,000 for an irrevocable funeral trust, also called an irrevocable funeral contract. This covers basic service charges, funeral services, preparation of remains, vehicles, etc. Keep in mind that this type of contract cannot be canceled or cashed in. It can only be transferred to another licensed funeral home. Continue reading

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A virtual touchscreen with probate option buttons.Imagine this…

After your death, your daughter is having serious financial struggles and the money you’ve bequeathed to her would pull her out of financial misery. It would help her to pay your funeral and other outstanding expenses.

But, because by law your estate must pass through probate, it will take several months before your daughter can receive the money you have left her.

In the meantime, a disgruntled step-son from a prior marriage decides to pursue a Will contest, claiming that the Will is not valid and that he deserves some money, too. He knows the amount of the estate because the probate process is a matter of public record.

You can imagine how the rest of the story goes and how, although you had an estate plan and the best intentions Continue reading

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Flintlock Pistols.I inherited what from Uncle George? What if I don’t want it?

You barely knew your uncle. When he dies, you learn that he named you his sole beneficiary in his Will and your children as his contingent beneficiaries. Sounds like good news, right?

Yes and no. Some of the things you stand to inherit you’d rather not have.

For example, Uncle George was a gun fancier. He had a large and valuable collection of hunting rifles that he used to hunt deer on his 200-acre farm in the Litchfield Hills. Hunting was never your thing.

Could you keep the farm and the rest of the estate and say “no thanks” to the guns? Or could you say no to everything?

The answer to both is yes. Continue reading

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Sleepy young women with pillow and sleeping eye mask still on.If you’re a family caregiver, maybe you have light duty, like taking Mom to the doctor every few months, or checking in with Dad a couple of times a week by phone.

On the other end of the spectrum, you may be right in the trenches caring for a loved one with complex needs. You’re on call 24/7 with no relief in sight.

For those doing the heavy lifting – literally and figuratively – caregiver burnout can settle in like morning fog that won’t go away. Continue reading

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Yellow Labrador dog with service vest The connection between humans and dogs is one that hearkens back to ancient and even prehistoric times. Archaeological evidence of canine domestication dates back some 15,000 years, and some experts believe our interspecies love affair may stretch as far back as 30,000 years ago.

While there is still some debate about just how long we humans have been vulnerable to the charms of big, sad puppy eyes and fluffy tummies, there is no question that our relationship with these animals has evolved greatly over the ages. In the earliest days, dogs helped with hunting and guarding in exchange for a share of the food and the comforts of life in a mixed-species pack.

Today, dogs are primarily cherished companions—four-legged family members. But there are still many who pull their weight by providing all kinds of valuable services to the humans they love.

Continue reading

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Patience. Inspirational quote typed on an old typewriter.

By Linda Raineault

We keep hearing about delaying Social Security benefits. But we’ve waited years to tap into this pot!

Well, if you can be patient, you may discover that patience is more than just a virtue.

The good news is that medical science is extending our life expectancy in remarkable ways.  Today women who reach the age of 65 can expect to live to age 86 and men to age 84, according to the Social Security Administration. Continue reading

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medicaid claimBy Lara Schneider-Bomzer

The Connecticut Supreme Court decision, Pikula v. Department of Social Services, established clear guidelines for determining if a trust should be considered a “supplemental needs trust” or a “general support trust.”

In general, assets held in a supplemental needs trust are considered unavailable in determining Medicaid eligibility for the trust beneficiary. Continue reading

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wageIf you employ a home care worker either for yourself or to help care for a family member, you understand first hand just how vital their services are to maintaining quality of life. The value of these hard-working professionals is hard to measure in only dollars and cents, but ensuring that they are fairly compensated is one way to show sincere appreciation.

In addition, though many people don’t realize it, there are federal laws that protect home care workers. As a potential employer of a home care worker, it’s important to educate yourself about these rules and make sure that you are in compliance with them. Continue reading

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what-next-1-924436-mWhen we get to a certain age, we sometimes experience what is jokingly referred to as a “senior moment.” We forget a name, miss an appointment or overlook a bill.

But if forgetfulness or confusion starts to seriously interfere with daily life, it’s time seek medical help. The symptoms could point to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

What are the warning signs?

How can you tell if someone in your life is more than just a little forgetful and needs a medical evaluation? The Alzheimer’s Association lists these 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s: Continue reading

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