From the desk of
Attorney Stewart

The first mistake nearly everyone makes with estate planning is procrastinating. People put it off, assuming they’ll do it later in life, when retirement is close or when health issues start creeping in.  Honestly, estate planning is less about age and more about control. It’s about deciding who makes decisions for you if you become unable to do so, who receives your assets, and how much stress your family will face if you suddenly fall ill or pass away.  This can sound like

Nursing home care is expensive, often costing tens of thousands per year, and if you’re not prepared, it can quickly deplete savings. The good news? With early planning, legal strategies, and the right attorney , families can protect assets while ensuring their loved one gets the care they need without any financial trouble. Yes—Nursing Home Fees Are Expensive The average cost of a private nursing home room in the U.S. is around $12,000 to $15,000 per month. Even a semi-priva

Catching Dementia and Alzheimer's early and creating a personalized plan is the smartest thing you can achieve in this situation, here's how:

When planning for your own future or a loved one's, two legal tools often come up: guardianship and a power of attorney. They might seem similar (in a way, they are, both give someone the authority to make decisions for another), but they work in very different ways, have different ranges, and involve vastly different levels of court control. It’s important to differentiate the two to save your money and time later on.  Here’s the key takeaway: Power of Attorney: Gives you th

Unfortunately for many families, when a loved one passes away without a valid trust, their next step is to face probate. Probate is the court-supervised procedure for settling an estate, and it’s known to be an expensive, drawn-out process (from 6 months to a year) . The biggest delays usually come from missing paperwork, unclear wills, or family disputes. The Purpose of Probate Confirms the validity of the will (or appoints an administrator if there’s none) Pays any debts an

When it comes to healthcare in retirement, two programs— Medicare and Medicaid —often cause the most confusion in differentiating or choosing between them.  Here’s the simple truth: Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older (or younger with certain disabilities), while Medicaid is state-managed assistance for people with limited income and resources. There! Easy as that. Medicare is based on age  and work history. Medicaid is based on financial need . Some

As the proud mother of a college-bound son, I have been laser-focused on preparing for his upcoming journey. While I couldn't be happier...

Recently, while discussing estate planning with one of my friends, I was asked why she, as a single person, needed to draft a Will. ...

Recently I had the good fortune of talking to a young man whose mother had recently died without a Will. While still grieving, this young...