Lifting the Burden: Why Naming Your Attorney as Fiduciary Might Be the Ultimate Gift to Your Family

When it comes to estate planning, most people focus on distributing their assets fairly among loved ones. But there's another crucial consideration that often gets overlooked: who will handle the complex, time-consuming, and emotionally challenging task of administering your affairs after you're gone?

Many clients think of family members, including children, to step into this role, but this assumption may inadvertently burden the very people you're trying to protect and provide for.

The Hidden Costs of Family Administration

Serving as...

Celebrating Nana: A Heartfelt Visit for Her 90th Birthday

Last fall, my sister and I had the privilege of visiting our Nana at her home in Southern Missouri to celebrate her 90th birthday. What unfolded was a perfect reminder of why family connections and creating lasting memories matter so deeply.

Our days began with quiet, peaceful mornings on her deck, sipping coffee and tea while reading our books. A charming mama cat, fresh from having her kittens, would often visit us as we took in the beauty of the world around us, listening to birds chirping in the trees my Grandpa Jim had lovingly planted years before.

One of the most...

House Bill 147: Is my estate plan affected by this new law?

The Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act allows owners of Delaware real estate to execute and record a Transfer on Death (TOD) deed designating one or more beneficiaries who will receive the real estate upon the owner’s death, without a probate procedure.

The Act outlines the following:

• Transfer on Death deeds will take precedence over any other instruction, including those in a Will
• Provides the forms needed to create or revoke a TOD deed
• Creates a procedure for beneficiaries to notify the Register of Wills office of a death
• Ensures property subject to transfer i...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What Does It Mean For Me?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act commonly known as OBBBA was signed into law on July 4, 2025. This new law includes significant tax legislation to examine. As it relates to estate planning and elder law, consider these key components.

Federal Estate Tax

Beginning January 1, 2026, this law permanently sets the federal estate tax exemption at $15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples.

• Portability for married couples has not been interrupted.
  • High net worth married couples must file an estate tax return at the first spouse's death to elect portability and...

House Bill 140 Are my legal documents affected by this new law?

The End-of-Life Options Act was signed into law on May 20, 2025. This law allows terminally ill adults to request medication to end their life with the assistance of medical professionals. The law includes safeguards to ensure the process is voluntary and informed.

To qualify, a Delaware resident must have:

• A terminal diagnosis (6 months or less to live) as confirmed by 2 medical professionals;
• Decision-making capacity; and
• Satisfied the request process for medication to end life (2 oral and 1 written request required).

Key Protections

• Only the patient can ...

Our team gathered a list of titles we've enjoyed recently, and we hope this inspires your summer reading list. May your coffee be strong enough to fuel those late-night reading sessions and your sunscreen strong enough for those poolside page-turners!

We'd love to know how many stars you rate these titles!

The Dangers of Dusty Documents: Why Your Estate Plan Shouldn't Be as Old as Your CD Player

Estate planning documents are like time capsules. They capture your wishes, your family structure, and your assets at a specific moment in time. But unlike fine wine, these documents don't improve with age. They grow stale, outdated, and potentially harmful to the very people they were designed to protect.

Remember the day you created your first Will or Trust? Perhaps it was the same era when you were excitedly purchasing your first CD player—that technological marvel that promised perfect sound forever. You carefully selected your estate planning ...

DocuGuardian: Preserving Your Legacy Beyond Documents

DocuGuardian is more than just a secure repository for your legal, financial, and insurance documents, it's a way to preserve and share your legacy in the fullest sense. Your legacy isn’t just about assets; it’s the memories, stories, and values that define your life. DocuGuardian helps you store and pass down cherished family traditions, recipes, holiday memories, and personal stories that shaped your family’s journey. It's a way to keep those moments alive long after you're gone.

A legacy also includes the emotional bonds you’ve created. DocuGuardian allows you to capture th...

Independent Navigators: Challenges and Solutions for Those Who Age Solo

In a society focused on nuclear families, a growing demographic faces unique challenges as they age: independent older adults without traditional support networks. These individuals—whom we might call "Independent Navigators"—approach their later years with autonomy, yet face distinctive hurdles that require thoughtful planning and specialized resources.

Meet Our Independent Navigators

Eleanor, 72, is a retired professor who never married or had children. Her academic career took her across the country, far from her small hometown. While she has colleagues and f...

Is In-Home Care Right for You or Your Loved One?

To figure out if you or your loved one would benefit from in-home care, it helps to answer some other questions, such as the following:

Is it difficult for you to brush your teeth or bathe by yourself? What about tidying up around the house, making a meal, or driving to the store or appointments?

If you answered yes to any of these, you’ll want to consider getting an in-home caregiver.

Likewise, if you’re spending all your free time helping a loved one with these or other activities, or if you’re caring for someone with more specific needs—perhaps due to a recent surgery or medical dia...

That "Update Will" Note Isn't Getting Any Younger

We've all been there – that nagging reminder on the fridge that somehow becomes part of the decor. Between your children's artwork and family photos sits a small note reading "Update Will," yellowing at the edges and collecting dust. It's been there so long you barely notice it anymore, right alongside the school calendar and the takeout menus.

Life hasn't stood still while that note gathered dust. Maybe you've moved to a new home, welcomed grandchildren, or started planning for retirement. Your family photos have changed, the artwork has been updated, but that reminder remains u...

A Tale of Family, Memories, and Legacy Planning

It began with a Disney vacation 19 years ago. While Sam and Rose's extended family enjoyed the classic attractions, one moment stands out above all: their three-year-old granddaughter Sarah, armed with quick legs and a curious mind, found her grandmother's dentures and decided to share them with the family dog, Benny.

That day, Benny may have gained the most memorable smile in family history, but the story gained something even more valuable – a place in their family's treasury of cherished memories. Today, a Disney snow globe from that trip sits on their mantel, sparking laughter whenever ...

Home Instead Rebrands

January 1, 2025

Starting this month, you will see new Home Instead branding come to life in our community. We are excited to bring a more modern and vibrant look and feel to our communications and advertising, including in new TV commercials, signage, and on our Home Instead website. As the leading  home care provider in the industry, we have an opportunity to make the aging journey better every day; our new Home Instead branding is designed to reflect this energy and optimism!

While we hope you find the new Home Instead look modern and updated, our trusted, compassionate care remains the same. For more than 30 ...

Simplify Your Home Organization with My Status Quo's Home Catalog Service

Imagine having a crystal-clear record of everything that matters in your home. The My Status Quo Home Catalog Service offers a comprehensive solution for documenting and organizing your personal belongings with ease and precision.

What is the Home Catalog Service?

Our innovative service provides a meticulous digital inventory of your possessions. Whether you have cherished family heirlooms, valuable artwork, or simply want to keep track of your household items, we create a detailed catalog that brings order and clarity to your personal space. The service offers...

Understanding Adult Guardianship: When and How It Works

As we navigate through life, the possibility of becoming incapacitated—whether due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline—can raise important questions about how our affairs will be managed. If such a situation arises and you can no longer handle your own affairs, there are two primary avenues through which someone else can legally act on your behalf: a Power of Attorney or a court-appointed guardianship. Understanding these options is crucial for effective planning and ensuring that your wishes are respected.

Power of Attorney: A Private Solution

A Power of Attorney (POA) is...

Estate planning includes creating important legal documents to ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. While copies of most estate planning documents are commonly acceptable, the Last Will and Testament stands out as a unique document that always requires the original at the time of death.

Why is Finding the Original Will So Important?

Unlike many other estate planning documents where copies suffice, the original Will carries significant legal weight in probate courts. Most jurisdictions require the original Will for probate proceedings and having the original Will readily available can speed up the start of the probate...

In an age where data breaches and identity theft are increasingly common, many individuals are seeking ways to safeguard their financial identity. One powerful tool in this fight against fraud is the credit freeze. This article will explain what a credit freeze is, how to implement one, and why it's an essential consideration for anyone concerned about financial security.

What is a Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is a free tool that allows you to restrict access to your credit report. When you freeze your credit, you prevent potential creditors from accessing your credit report, making it much more...

Celebrating National Senior Citizens Day: Staying Connected with the Seniors in Your Life

National Senior Citizens Day is a wonderful opportunity to honor and appreciate the seniors who have enriched our lives with their wisdom and experience. As we celebrate this special day, it’s important to remember that maintaining strong connections with our elderly loved ones can profoundly impact their well-being and happiness. Here are a few simple yet meaningful ways to stay connected with the seniors in your life, ensuring they feel valued and loved.

First, make time for regular phone or video calls. While in-person visits might not always b...

Taking the step to find a live-in caregiver for your aging parent can be one of the most loving and difficult decisions you make. It’s a journey filled with emotions, but ensuring they have the best care and companionship is invaluable. Here are some tips to help guide you through this process. If you have questions about finding the right live-in caregiver, give Private Caregiver Solutions a call at 888-997-2345.

1. Acknowledge the Need: Recognizing when your parent needs more help than you can provide is the first step. It’s okay to seek help; their well-being is a priority.
2. Involve Your Parent: Include your parent in the dec...

Changes Are Coming to How You Access Social Security’s Online Services

July 12, 2024 • By Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

We’re making changes to the way you access Social Security’s online services, including your personal my Social Security account. The changes will simplify your sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards. At the same time, we’re continuing to provide safe and secure access to our online services.

If you created your my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, you will still be able to use your username and password to...

DNR, DMOST, and AHCD: Understanding Medical Directives

Most people are familiar with common estate planning documents like Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney. However, there are other crucial documents that should be part of your comprehensive estate plan. This article focuses on three frequently used, yet often confused, documents related to your healthcare decisions: the Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order; the Delaware Medical Order for Scope of Treatment (DMOST); and the Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD).

These documents allow you to express your healthcare preferences in advance. Should you become incapacitated or unable to...

Navigating Retirement: The Crucial Role of Ongoing Estate Planning

A client recently told us that years ago when she envisioned retirement, she only predicted the fun. She didn’t expect the work. She was observing that as an older adult she’s still in constant motion managing her changing health and making proactive legal and financial decisions. 

As you embark on your retirement journey, it's easy to focus on leisure. However, one aspect that deserves continuous attention is estate planning. Far from being a one-time task, estate planning should be an ongoing process throughout your life. Seeking professional estate planning advi...

Several of our team members love to spend their free time reading, and one of the best parts of reading a good book is sharing it with a friend! We’ve compiled a list of books that our team members have enjoyed recently, and we hope you find a few titles to add to your to-be read list.

Hide and Seek, Mary Burton

A Stranger in the House, Shari Lapena

The Things We Do for Love, Kristin Hannah

Confessions on the 7:45, Lisa Unger

Before We Were Innocent, Ella Berman

The Lost Girls of Paris, Pam Jenoff

One Step Too Far, Lisa Gardner

The Bone Hacker, Kathy Reichs

After That Night, Karin Slaughter

Remarkably Bright Creatures, by S...

Discussing and planning for long-term care needs with aging parents can be a sensitive and emotional topic for many families. However, it's crucial to address this issue proactively to ensure that your parents' wishes are respected, their assets are protected, and their independence is maintained for as long as possible. Here are some strategies that may help overcome the guilt and encourage early action:

1. Reframe the conversation: Instead of viewing it as a negative development, present long-term care planning as an opportunity to honor your parents' autonomy and ensure that their preferences are followed. Emphasize that early...