Colorado Springs Legal Blog
What to do when elderly financial abuse hits close to home
Your parents took care of you for a long time, and you want to return the favor by protecting them when they need it. Unfortunately, the nature of elder abuse means that time may already be here. Studies have shown that one in five seniors has been the victim of...
Will a no-contest clause prevent my will from being contested?
Your will is an important document that lays out exactly how you want your assets distributed to those you love and cherish. It takes time, and careful planning—the decisions you make while creating one are not made lightly. You don't want anyone trying to change your...
How do I know if a loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
It isn't always possible to take care of an aging loved one at home, and you may have to put them in a nursing home. These facilities are specifically designed to care for elderly patients around the clock and provide them with a safe environment. Unfortunately,...
Guardianship: when it is needed and how to establish it
Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be a difficult process. In addition to the emotional work of caring for your parent, Alzheimer’s patients sometimes can be stubborn and refuse care. There may come a point where it becomes unrealistic...
How do you know it’s time to challenge a loved one’s will?
In many families, it is common for older adults to talk openly about their estate plans and last wishes. Although it is of critical importance that everyone has a legally binding last will or estate plan, it is equally important that your family members understand...
When should you challenge the trustee on your trust?
Trusts are a major source of security for both the people who create them and the beneficiaries who rely on them later. Unfortunately, not every trustee ends up being reliable. At some point, you may have to ask the court to remove a trustee that isn't doing his or...
Consider an incentive trust for your heirs
You probably don't want to control every aspect of your heir's future -- but, at the same time, you may have some strong feelings about just handing someone a tremendous amount of wealth with no strings attached. That's where an incentive trust can be valuable....
What to do with your estate plan after it is finished
Finally finishing an estate plan is an accomplishment. This is a complex set of legal documents that probably took a long time to compile and complete. However, when you are finished with your estate plan, are you really finished? In short, no. There are a few...
Financial exploitation can leave seniors destitute and despondent
In news that's made national headlines and spurred an outpouring of support for the victim, suicide hotline workers at the Veterans Crisis Center may have saved the life of an elderly veteran of the United States Coast Guard after a couple of thieves managed to empty...
What does ‘financing death’ mean?
Part of effective end-of-life planning includes figuring out how your loved ones will have immediate access to cash right after you are gone -- including enough money to pay your funeral expenses. That can be a little trickier than it sounds. The average price for an...
