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Should You Write Your Own Will?
By Bernard A. Krooks, Esq. Recently, several clients have asked whether they could write their own will. I am sure that many more have thought about this, but haven’t asked. I think the better question to ask is: should you write your own will? After all, there are several online services available to help and…
How to Fix a Broken Estate Plan
By Bernard A. Krooks, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Challenges may arise if a person decides to write their own will. Lawyers do much more than draft documents. Lawyers make sure that the documents are drafted accurately and reflect your wishes and estate planning objectives. After all, once you are deceased it is likely too late…
ABLE Accounts Update: New Rules for 2019
By Rachel Johnston, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP ABLE Accounts are designed for individuals with disabilities to assist them in saving money and accumulating a savings account without jeopardizing their access to government benefits. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts have been around for a few years. Accounts holding up to $100,000 maintain eligibility for…
OCR Resolves Alleging Denial of Spot on Heart Transplant List Based on Intellectual Disability
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Federal law prohibits discrimination based on disability. This equality stands as paramount in the administration of life-saving treatments. Unfortunately, stereotypes on individuals with disabilities remain prevalent. Even trained health professionals can make unfortunate and inappropriate judgments on the value of life. In North Carolina, an individual filed…
Medicare Recipients Must Watch the Line Dividing Home Health Care From Non-Medical In-Home Care
The difference between “home health care” and “non-medical in-home care” is not always clear, but it is a distinction with a big difference. “Home health care” is covered by Medicare, but “non-medical in-home care” is not. Senior citizens who fail to pay sufficient attention to which side of the line their in-home services fall may…
Understanding Types of Guardianship in New York State
A guardian is someone who is appointed to make important decisions for another person who is not able to make those decisions on their own. This may be for a child, an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or an adult who becomes incapacitated. In New York State, different types of guardianship petitions are filed…
Holiday Wishes
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP We all wish you a holiday season filled with peace, joy, and success. We recognize how difficult this season can be for those with disabilities or mental health challenges and for the elderly. During this time of year, especially, we remember all of those vulnerable individuals, particularly…
Estate Planning for Young Families
By Ryan J. Byrnes, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP In the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” when George Bailey stands on that bridge outside Bedford Falls, contemplating whether life for his young wife and five children really would be better without him, George has just one tangible asset: the $15,000 life insurance policy tucked in his…
“I Can Do It!” puts disabled on path to improved fitness and nutrition
Many individuals with disabilities are doubly challenged: they adapt their lives to accommodate a disability while simultaneously suffering from secondary maladies brought on by a lack of physical exercise. Nearly 50 percent of adults with a disability are not physically active, compared with just 25 percent of sedentary adults with no disability, according to the…
Family Ties, Purpose and Good Health Are Keys to Happiness Among Seniors
Statistically, senior citizens are one of the happiest demographic groups in the United States. With age comes acceptance of one’s strengths and weaknesses, wisdom and an appreciation that each day is a gift not to be taken for granted. Gone are the days of competition, comparison and stress. Time opens up to allow more space…
