If you are close to retirement age, you are probably counting down the time until you get there. Deciding exactly when you get there, however, is a decision you must make first. Before you make that decision, it is important for you to fully understand the financial cost you will pay if you elect to take an early retirement by starting your Social Security retirement benefits sooner rather than later. Toward that end, an Indianapolis elder law attorney at Frank & Kraft explains the … [Read more...]
Steps You Can Take Now to Avoid Guardianship Later
It may be difficult to envision a future where you are incapacitated and unable to care for yourself and/or manage your own affairs; however, the reality is that it could happen. If that does come to pass, a loved one may be forced to petition for guardianship over you if you failed to plan ahead. By planning ahead, you can choose to whom you hand over authority instead of letting a court decide. A Carmel elder law attorney at Frank & Kraft discusses steps you can take now to avoid … [Read more...]
Why Would I Need an Elder Law Attorney?
The older population in the United States has increased rapidly in recent years, and is expected to continue to grow in the coming decades. As the number of seniors swells, legal issues related to the elderly and to those who care for them have taken on a heightened importance. Because the area of elder law is such a relatively new area of the law though, many people don’t even recognize that that need an elder law lawyer when they encounter one of these issues. To help remedy that, a Carmel … [Read more...]
Can I Challenge My Father’s Death Bed Will?
The death of a parent is not easy to handle, no matter how old you are when it happens. If your father recently passed away, you are undoubtedly still grieving the loss. Finding out that your father executed a last minute “death bed” Will has you wondering if you can contest that Will. An Indianapolis estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft discusses the legality of a death bed Will and what you would need to prove to successfully contest that Will. The “Death Bed” Will Any … [Read more...]
Are You Cohabitating? If So, Estate Planning Is Essential
According to the Pew Research Center, there are close to 20 million cohabitating adults in the United States as of 2019. A growing number of those are people over the age of 50. In fact, the number of cohabitating couples over age 50 grew 75 percent in just ten years. An Indianapolis estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explains why estate planning is essential for cohabitating couples. The Changing Times Not all that long ago it was almost unheard of for two unmarried people of … [Read more...]
What Legal Steps Must Be Taken after a Loved One Dies?
When a loved one passes away, we typically focus on the emotional impact of that loss during the immediate aftermath. Someone, however, must also focus on the legal steps that need to be taken following a death. If that person is you, and you have never before been in this position, you likely don’t know where to begin. A Carmel Probate attorney at Frank & Kraft explains some of the most common legal steps that must be taken following the death of a loved one. Who Is in Charge? Often, … [Read more...]
Digital Assets – Are They Included in Your Estate Plan?
Just about everything you do leaves a digital trail anymore. Moreover, almost everything important to us can be stored in some type of electronic format. What happens to that digital trail and those electronic files when you die? Do you want someone to be able to access them? Conversely, do you want to ensure that no one can access them? Can anyone access those accounts without your permission after your death? A Carmel estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explains why it is important … [Read more...]
How Do I Know If I Need to Probate My Mother’s Estate?
If your mother recently passed away, you are undoubtedly mourning her loss. The last thing you probably want to focus on is probating her estate. Someone, however, needs to do so. If it appears as though you are the one who will need to take control of the administration of your mother’s estate, one of the first decisions you need to make is to decide whether formal probate is necessary. It is always best to consult with an experienced probate attorney when making such an important decision. In … [Read more...]
Choosing a Caregiver for Your Parent
For an adult child, watching a parent age can be very difficult. Somehow we expect that our parents will be forever middle aged. It can become even more difficult if a parent starts to show signs of physical and/or mental deterioration that often goes along with the natural aging process. If that is where you are with your parent, it may be time to find a caregiver for your parent. If so, an Indianapolis elder law attorney at Frank & Kraft offers some suggestions that may help you find the … [Read more...]
Senior Sexual Abuse — It Happens More Often Than You May Realize
The population of older Americans has increased dramatically in recent years, due in large part to the fact that the Baby Boomer generation is reaching retirement age. With seniors now accounting for such a large segment of the population, issues that concern them have taken on a heightened importance. Sadly, this includes the prevalence of elder abuse in its many forms. While we are paying more attention to abuse and neglect of the elderly, one type of elder abuse remains somewhat of a taboo … [Read more...]
