While our senior loved ones want to explore and participate in family travels, it can cause some anxiety on both the senior and the caregiver. Extra planning and good communication can help ease some of the stress of traveling with elderly loved ones. Here are some tips to make the traveling easier:
1. Make sure your elderly loved one actually wants to go. Show the respect of asking whether they want to be included. Give them details such as length of time in a car or airplane, type of accommodations and type of activities and food. Respect the decision.
2. Pack more than you anticipate needing. While packing light may work for the young and flexible, it can leave an elderly person without enough clean clothes or medication. Things happen that are out of your control while traveling such as delays so pack for longer than the planned trip.
3. Pack enough medication and keep it all in your carry-on bags. Bring pharmacy information in case medication gets lost or stolen. Educate yourself on what medication the senior needs and when it should be taken. If changing time zones, keep the medication schedule as close as possible to your home time zone.
4. Plan the trip activities to accommodate the senior’s schedule. Most elderly people need more rest than younger generations. Factor in rest and keep up with snacks and meals.
5. Consider renting mobility equipment if needed. This may be a scooter used throughout the airport, theme parks or other places where you need to walk long distances. Reserve these in advance to ensure they do not run out.
6. Have everyone on a “sitter” schedule. Let all the travel companions take shifts to “sit” with the elderly loved one so that all of the burden does not fall on one caregiver. This allows everyone to enjoy freedom while also taking some shifts of responsibility.
7. Be careful not to overbook. Allow plenty of time between activities so no one feels rushed and to prevent the senior from feeling like a burden.
8. Plan ahead for medical emergencies. Bring the senior’s Emergency Medical Packet with you in your carry-on bag. This packet should include power of attorney documents, medication list, proper identification and primary care physician contact info.
9. For seniors suffering from incontinence, even more planning may be necessary. When traveling by car, stop frequently for bathroom breaks. When traveling by plane, try to secure the senior an aisle seat. Make sure the senior dresses comfortably and wears a protective pad.
Most importantly, enjoy yourselves. Make memories, take pictures and laugh a lot. Summer travel can be exciting and filled with adventure. For information on legal protections for your senior loved one, contact the elder law attorneys at Stouffer Legal in the Greater Baltimore area. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com.
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 29th at 6pm
How to Protect your "Stuff" in 3 Easy Steps (Estate Planning Workshop)
This webinar covers frequently asked questions and common misconceptions regarding: Wills & Trust, Asset Protection, Nursing Home Issues, Medicaid Qualification, and Estate Taxes.
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 29th at 6pm
Our webinars are designed to be educational, interactive, informative and generate relevant discussion for attendees. Modern Estate Planning is more than just preparing a will and putting it in a safe. Find out how a comprehensive Estate Plan will protect your assets and your family. Our experienced attorney, Wilson McManus, will be sharing stories on how Estate Planning is beneficial and sometimes crucial. In an Estate Plan, you need to know the Rules: Who's "Rule-book" controls your Estate Plan? Yours? The Governments? Someone else? You need to know your Predators: Who's a Threat to Your Stuff? The Government? Long-term Care Costs? Your Family? You need to know your Options: What Plans are out there? Does a Will work? What about a Trust? Which kind of Trust?
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 29th at 6pm
Our workshops fill up fast, so please call (443) 470-3599 today to RSVP.
We can't wait to see you!
Today is the right day to take your first step. Click below to register for our next free workshop and learn what everyone is talking about.
Attending our next free Workshops is the best way to
Get Started on your New Estate Plan!
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 28th at 10am
How to Protect your "Stuff" in 3 Easy Steps (Estate Planning Workshop)
This webinar covers frequently asked questions and common misconceptions regarding: Wills & Trust, Asset Protection, Nursing Home Issues, Medicaid Qualification, and Estate Taxes.
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 28th at 10am
Our webinars are designed to be educational, interactive, informative and generate relevant discussion for attendees. Modern Estate Planning is more than just preparing a will and putting it in a safe. Find out how a comprehensive Estate Plan will protect your assets and your family. Our experienced attorney, Wilson McManus, will be sharing stories on how Estate Planning is beneficial and sometimes crucial. In an Estate Plan, you need to know the Rules: Who's "Rule-book" controls your Estate Plan? Yours? The Governments? Someone else? You need to know your Predators: Who's a Threat to Your Stuff? The Government? Long-term Care Costs? Your Family? You need to know your Options: What Plans are out there? Does a Will work? What about a Trust? Which kind of Trust?
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 28th at 10am
Our workshops fill up fast, so please call (443) 470-3599 today to RSVP.
We can't wait to see you!
Today is the right day to take your first step. Click below to register for our next free workshop and learn what everyone is talking about.
Attending our next free Workshops is the best way to
Get Started on your New Estate Plan!
Something that often catches a newly appointed personal representative off guard is the requirement to open and manage an estate banking account. Typically, the account is a basic checking account and is often named “Estate of Deceased’s Name, Executor’s Name, Executor”.
Below are some important rules to keep in mind regarding operating an estate account during the probate process:
1. Checking Account. The bank account must be a checking account that allows you to write check so you can pay the deceased’s final bills, court costs and final distributions. Make sure you choose a financial institution in the state where the deceased person died and probate is occurring. It may seem more convenient to open an account near your residence but the probate court requires the account to be in the state of the deceased’s residency.
2. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). Prior to opening the estate account with the financial institution, you will need to obtain a TIN for the estate, which is now its own tax entity. The IRS website walks you through the steps to apply for the TIN, which is referred to as Employer Identification Number (EIN). Do not be confused by the name of the form required. As personal representative, you are not an employer; however, that is the name of the form and that is the correct form to use to obtain your EIN (TIN).
3. Set Up. Once the account is set up, you will need to move all of the deceased’s money from other accounts into the estate account. Major exception – If the accounts are listed as POD (payable-on-death) or TOD (transfer-on-death) then those funds go straight to the named beneficiary, not into the probate estate.
4. Deposits. Continue to deposit all income received by the estate such as stock dividends, rental income, tax refunds, etc.
5. Recordkeeping. Keep detailed records of each and every transaction.
6. No commingling. Never mix your personal funds and estate funds. If you find yourself in a position where you need to use your personal funds then reimburse yourself from the estate, keep very accurate records to demonstrate why this occurred.
7. Close Account. When the probate file is closed, be sure to remember to go to the financial institution and officially close the bank account.
Being a personal representative and administering an estate after the death of a loved one can be very complex. For assistance, contact the probate attorneys at Stouffer Legal in the Greater Baltimore area. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com.
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 25th at 6pm
How to Protect your "Stuff" in 3 Easy Steps (Estate Planning Workshop)
This webinar covers frequently asked questions and common misconceptions regarding: Wills & Trust, Asset Protection, Nursing Home Issues, Medicaid Qualification, and Estate Taxes.
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 25th at 6pm
Our webinars are designed to be educational, interactive, informative and generate relevant discussion for attendees. Modern Estate Planning is more than just preparing a will and putting it in a safe. Find out how a comprehensive Estate Plan will protect your assets and your family. Our experienced attorney, Wilson McManus, will be sharing stories on how Estate Planning is beneficial and sometimes crucial. In an Estate Plan, you need to know the Rules: Who's "Rule-book" controls your Estate Plan? Yours? The Governments? Someone else? You need to know your Predators: Who's a Threat to Your Stuff? The Government? Long-term Care Costs? Your Family? You need to know your Options: What Plans are out there? Does a Will work? What about a Trust? Which kind of Trust?
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 25th at 6pm
Our workshops fill up fast, so please call (443) 470-3599 today to RSVP.
We can't wait to see you!
Today is the right day to take your first step. Click below to register for our next free workshop and learn what everyone is talking about.
Attending our next free Workshops is the best way to
Get Started on your New Estate Plan!
Losing a loved one can be a painful experience, especially if it happens suddenly and without warning. You and other family members and friends will likely experience a flood of emotions. Everyone grieves in their own way, but most people tend to share one thing in common – confusion as to what steps to take. Below are the ten steps (in order) to take immediately when a loved one passes away.
1. Make plans for the body. Depending on the place of death, different plans may be appropriate to care for the body. Check the drivers’ license to determine whether the person was an organ donor to determine whether successful donations are still possible. Based on the circumstances of the death, the medical examiner determines whether an autopsy is needed. If so, the body travels to a county morgue where a pathologist conducts a detailed internal and external examination of the body as well as toxicology tests. Once the body is released, most people choose to employ a funeral director transport the body to the funeral home where it will remain until services and final disposition are decided.
2. Secure Dependents. Arrange for the immediate care of any persons or pets that the deceased was responsible for. This can be temporary solutions until more permanent arrangements can be made.
3. Notify close family, friends and employers. This is often done in order of those closest and with the most urgent need to know. Do not announce the death on social media until all of the closest family and friends have been personally contacted.
4. Secure valuables. Once it is known that someone passes away, that can make their home and belongings enticing to those with criminal intent as well as ill-intentioned family members. Best practice is often to have two or three trusted family members walk the home together to collect and secure valuables. During this walk-through, throw out perishables from the refrigerator and make sure the home is securely locked.
5. Locate the Last Will & Testament. While a formal reading should not be done until after the funeral, many wills and accompanying legacy letters provide wishes for funeral services and burial/cremation. This will help with the planning involved in the next step.
6. Funeral Planning. Select a funeral home and plan the funeral and/or end of life celebration. Determine location and manner of the body’s final resting place. There are many creative alternatives to burial, but the choices should be consistent with the wishes made known by the deceased.
7. Write and publish the obituary. The obituary can be drafted in short form (for newspaper publication where you pay by the line) and long form (distributed for free via social media). The obituary should be a tribute to the deceased as well as inform the community about the logistics of services and how to pay their respects.
8. Notify the neighbors. Ask trusted neighbors to keep a watch on the property for any signs of unusual activity. Enlist their help in collecting mail, newspapers and trash cans so that the home does not appear unoccupied.
9. Contact Executor. Notify the named executor or personal representative chosen in the will. He or she may want to contact an estate administration attorney for a consultation on the steps to take to initiate the probate process.
10. Pause and grieve. Unfortunately, there are nine steps before this one, which can be difficult or a needed distraction depending on the person, but it is vital to take time to mourn and care for your needs. Rely on your support system and know that there is not one way or a right way to grieve. Take the time you need to heal.
If you are experiencing the death of a loved one and need guidance from compassionate and knowledgeable probate attorneys, contact Stouffer Legal in the Greater Baltimore area. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com.
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 24th at 10am
How to Protect your "Stuff" in 3 Easy Steps (Estate Planning Workshop)
This webinar covers frequently asked questions and common misconceptions regarding: Wills & Trust, Asset Protection, Nursing Home Issues, Medicaid Qualification, and Estate Taxes.
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 24th at 10am
Our webinars are designed to be educational, interactive, informative and generate relevant discussion for attendees. Modern Estate Planning is more than just preparing a will and putting it in a safe. Find out how a comprehensive Estate Plan will protect your assets and your family. Our experienced attorney, Wilson McManus, will be sharing stories on how Estate Planning is beneficial and sometimes crucial. In an Estate Plan, you need to know the Rules: Who's "Rule-book" controls your Estate Plan? Yours? The Governments? Someone else? You need to know your Predators: Who's a Threat to Your Stuff? The Government? Long-term Care Costs? Your Family? You need to know your Options: What Plans are out there? Does a Will work? What about a Trust? Which kind of Trust?
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 24th at 10am
Our workshops fill up fast, so please call (443) 470-3599 today to RSVP.
We can't wait to see you!
Today is the right day to take your first step. Click below to register for our next free workshop and learn what everyone is talking about.
Attending our next free Workshops is the best way to
Get Started on your New Estate Plan!
May is World Stroke Month each year. The purpose is to raise awareness of stroke prevention strategies as well as educate on how to detect a stroke and get immediate treatment. George W. Bush declared National Stroke Awareness Month in 1989; however, many nonprofits had been recognizing it for many years prior.
Strokes are dangerous and deadly. They are the number 5 killer and leading cause of disability in the United States. During the month of May, observing #StrokeAwarenessMonth can consist of educating yourself and others on the signs of a stroke, learning how to make lifestyle changes that prevent strokes and posting on social media to bring more attention to the cause.
FAST – Symptoms of a Stroke
Face: If someone tries to smile and one side of the face droops, this should be an alarming cause of concern.
Arm: If someone attempts to raise both arms and one seems lower than the other, this too should sound the alarm bells.
Speech: Slurred speech is indicative of a possible stroke.
Time: Do not delay in calling 911. Time is of the essence in getting treatment for any of the above indicators. Quickly seeking medical care can make a difference between living and dying as well as the level of recovery possible.
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Strokes
Check your blood pressure often. High blood pressure, left untreated, is a key risk factor for stroke.
Nutrition.Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. The Mayo Clinic recommends the DASH diet. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet includes foods that are rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. These nutrients help control blood pressure. The diet limits foods that are high in sodium, saturated fat and added sugars.
Smoking/Vaping. Do not smoke or vape.
Aerobic Exercise. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. That equates to 20 minutes per day seven days a week or 30 minutes per day five days a week.
Sleep. Senior adults need at a minimum 7 hours of solid sleep per night.
Reduce stress. People with high levels of chronic stress and worry are more likely to die of a stroke.
At Stouffer Legal, we support #StrokeAwarenessMonth and hope you will learn the signs of a stroke as well as ways to prevent them. For more information on the elder law services we provide such as estate planning, retirement planning, long-term care planning and probate, contact our offices in the Greater Baltimore area for a consultation. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com.
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 22nd at 6pm
How to Protect your "Stuff" in 3 Easy Steps (Estate Planning Workshop)
This webinar covers frequently asked questions and common misconceptions regarding: Wills & Trust, Asset Protection, Nursing Home Issues, Medicaid Qualification, and Estate Taxes.
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 22nd at 6pm
Our webinars are designed to be educational, interactive, informative and generate relevant discussion for attendees. Modern Estate Planning is more than just preparing a will and putting it in a safe. Find out how a comprehensive Estate Plan will protect your assets and your family. Our experienced attorney, Wilson McManus, will be sharing stories on how Estate Planning is beneficial and sometimes crucial. In an Estate Plan, you need to know the Rules: Who's "Rule-book" controls your Estate Plan? Yours? The Governments? Someone else? You need to know your Predators: Who's a Threat to Your Stuff? The Government? Long-term Care Costs? Your Family? You need to know your Options: What Plans are out there? Does a Will work? What about a Trust? Which kind of Trust?
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 22nd at 6pm
Our workshops fill up fast, so please call (443) 470-3599 today to RSVP.
We can't wait to see you!
Today is the right day to take your first step. Click below to register for our next free workshop and learn what everyone is talking about.
Attending our next free Workshops is the best way to
Get Started on your New Estate Plan!
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 21st at 10am
How to Protect your "Stuff" in 3 Easy Steps (Estate Planning Workshop)
This webinar covers frequently asked questions and common misconceptions regarding: Wills & Trust, Asset Protection, Nursing Home Issues, Medicaid Qualification, and Estate Taxes.
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 21st at 10am
Our webinars are designed to be educational, interactive, informative and generate relevant discussion for attendees. Modern Estate Planning is more than just preparing a will and putting it in a safe. Find out how a comprehensive Estate Plan will protect your assets and your family. Our experienced attorney, Wilson McManus, will be sharing stories on how Estate Planning is beneficial and sometimes crucial. In an Estate Plan, you need to know the Rules: Who's "Rule-book" controls your Estate Plan? Yours? The Governments? Someone else? You need to know your Predators: Who's a Threat to Your Stuff? The Government? Long-term Care Costs? Your Family? You need to know your Options: What Plans are out there? Does a Will work? What about a Trust? Which kind of Trust?
Please click to register for our webinar:
LIVE Webinar – Click Here to Register for May 21st at 10am
Our workshops fill up fast, so please call (443) 470-3599 today to RSVP.
We can't wait to see you!
Today is the right day to take your first step. Click below to register for our next free workshop and learn what everyone is talking about.
Attending our next free Workshops is the best way to
Get Started on your New Estate Plan!
