Best online end-of-life planning and document services
The multitude of documents required to create an end-of-life plan can feel overwhelming. For health care, there are medical directives...
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Should older adults buy life insurance?
One of the main benefits of life insurance is ensuring that your dependents would be provided for in the event of your...
You probably need to update your beneficiaries. Here’s why
You’re asked to name a beneficiary many times over throughout your lifetime — each time you start a new job...
Digital estate plans: Why you need it and how to create yours
You already know an estate plan can make it easier to transfer your financial assets and physical property after death....
Should you consider an irrevocable trust?
The word irrevocable evokes permanent, set-in-stone arrangements. And that’s exactly what it means in describing this type of trust. Once...
Should you set up a testamentary trust? What you need to know
The two most common types of trusts are revocable living trusts and irrevocable living trusts. But those are hardly your...
Revocable living trusts: The basics
Revocable living trusts are one of the most common forms of trusts that people put in place to protect their...
What is an executor and what do they do?
Naming an executor is one of the most important elements of a last will and testament. After all, an executor...
4 ways to avoid probate
It is a truth universally acknowledged that probate is a major pain. It requires that an executor or other representative appear in...
When does your loved one need a guardian or conservator?
Choosing to become a loved one’s guardian or conservator is a serious matter that requires court approval. This role requires...
What should really worry you about year-round school — from a mom who lives it
When my children first learned that their 12-week summer break was being cut to a mere six weeks, they freaked...
Hair loss after pregnancy: What’s normal and how to deal with it
Engorged breasts, inescapable mood swings, hemorrhoids, bleeding and extreme fatigue — these are just some of the many post-birth joys...
5 warning signs your kid is overscheduled
Scheduling your child in extracurricular activities, such as sports, music lessons or art classes, has numerous benefits, such as helping...
How to spend down your assets to qualify for Medicaid
Many aging adults need help with daily personal tasks—things like bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, or taking medications. Medicare doesn’t...
Hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia in people with Alzheimer’s and dementia
People with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can be beset by hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Sometimes, these distortions can be directly caused by changes...
What’s the difference between delirium and dementia?
When interning at a nursing home, I encountered a patient who was complaining that her medication was causing hallucinations. But...
What’s a geriatrician and is this the right doctor for you?
Discover what a geriatrician does and how this specialized doctor can support your health care needs as you age.
Should you have a joint bank account with your parent?
A joint bank account with an aging parent offers convenience but comes with risks. Understand the benefits and drawbacks before...
Checklist for financial caregivers: Accounts and documents
As a financial caregiver, there are many documents and accounts you must have access to in order to do a good...
Life insurance: What are the types + how to buy it
Don’t have life insurance? You’re not alone. Over 100 million Americans don’t have a policy, according to Life Happens, a...
Checklist: Everything you need to do after someone dies
After a loved one dies, it can be hard to think of anything beyond your immediate sadness and grief. But...
How to make a living will
A living will is a straightforward, easy-to-complete document that allows you to specify what should happen in the event that you’re...
What’s the difference between an advance directive and a DNR?
If you’re ever unable to make your own medical decisions, the paperwork you’ve set up ahead of time can be...
4 things you must know about estate taxes
You know what they say about death and taxes—and when it comes to estate taxes, sometimes death isn’t even the...
May “Senior Sense”: 5 Unexpected Ways Life Changes when you Become a Caregiver to your Parent
By Liz O’Donnell I heard about parenting all the time: “Your life completely changes when you become a parent,” my...
How to create a health care proxy
Who would you pick to make medical decisions for you if you were no longer able to make them on...
How to find an estate planning attorney
When it comes to protecting and passing on your assets after you die, an estate planning attorney can (and should)...
How a birthing ball can help during pregnancy, labor and beyond
You may have walked by them dozens of times at the gym without as much as a second glance, but...
How I chose the right child care for my family
Prior to full-time parenting, I had a vision of life as a stay-at-home mom: I’d effortlessly balance housework and child...
Trust vs. will: Which is better for you?
Determining if you need a trust or a will can get confusing, because on the surface both appear to do...
8 common questions about wills, answered by an expert
When it comes to your last will and testament, you’ve probably got questions — lots of questions — about this...
What is a trust—and why they’re not just for the super wealthy
You might think trust funds are reserved for the super-wealthy, but in reality a trust can be a smart estate-planning...
Why I hired a comedian to visit my mother with Alzheimer’s
The most harrowing plane ride I’ve ever had was a trip from the East coast to the West coast last...
How to choose the right wheelchair for your senior loved one
Finding the right wheelchair for someone can be a daunting task, as it depends on a variety of factors ranging...
Staying in my lane: Caring for the caregiver
I first learned about what I call the lanes of parental caregiving when I was 35. That’s when my mother...
Expensive dog breeds: What to know about them and their price tags
Here's a breakdown of nine expensive dog breeds and why these popular pups can cost a pretty penny.
The 5 biggest decisions you’ll make as a parent in Year 2
Congratulations, you’ve survived your first year of parenting! You figured out how to feed your infant and somehow got some...
Car seats: How long your child needs one, and more car safety guidelines
Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among kids in the U.S., according to the CDC. While this...
If you’re the parent of a colicky baby, yes, you need extra support
Jenna Fletcher’s now-3-month-old son was diagnosed with colic at 8 weeks old. “I already was dealing with postpartum depression after...
Pet sitting insurance: Benefits, coverage and costs
If you’re a professional pet sitter, pet sitting insurance is essential for protecting yourself, your clients and your business. Here's...