Empowerment Through Hero Generation with Nicole a`Beckett and Dr. Shruti Roy
The Risks of Bad Advice
Law Brief ®: Alexis Gruttadauria and Richard Schoenstein Explore The New NYS Power of Attorney Form
Ruder Ware's Elder Law Team Recognizes National Special Needs Law Month - Part 2
Exploring Digitization of Health and Medical Data and Records Part Two
Are your estate planning documents protecting your assets?
As attorneys, we all understand the critical importance of appointing a legal agent to manage financial decisions in the event of incapacity. Most of us have our own Powers of Attorney in place—and likely for our parents as...more
Everyone should have an estate plan. Your estate plan is the roadmap in a crisis, providing guidance to loved ones on how to proceed and ensuring your wishes and goals are met. For those with young children or children with...more
Sometimes people going through divorce lack decision-making capacity. At times, the lack of decision-making capacity is the cause of the divorce. Other times, the incapacity occurred long before or after the separation, or...more
Estate planning involves preparing for an individual’s death, but just as importantly, it also addresses decisions and arrangements made during their lifetime. In Ohio, individuals planning for potential incapacity often...more
The past two years have brought a wave of legislative and judicial actions impacting the rights and recognition of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. According to the ACLU, over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the...more
If you have a loved one with special needs, you know that caring for him or her can, at times, feel totally overwhelming. Presumably, you have retained an attorney to guide you through the special education process in your...more
There is often confusion regarding mental capacity in the legal context. This is true not only for families but even for experienced legal professionals. Additionally, litigating issues of mental capacity can take an...more
In the first part of this series, we explored the various legal avenues available to grandparents seeking visitation with their grandchildren under Ohio law....more
Much has been written about courts invalidating instruments or transactions after a person’s death. Courts invalidating instruments or transactions during a person’s lifetime is discussed less often. A mechanism for doing so...more
Estate planning is a crucial process for anyone looking to protect their family and assets, but for families with a loved one who has special needs, it requires additional considerations. Without proper planning, a...more
Careful planning for a loved one with disabilities is one of the most important and compassionate acts you can take as a parent or caregiver. It’s not just about securing their financial future, it’s about preserving their...more
Recent years have seen an unprecedented rollback of many hard-won civil rights for LGBTQ+ Iowans at the state and federal levels. There are several ways LGBTQ+ Iowans can protect and empower themselves and their loved ones...more
Navigating special needs planning can be a complex journey for people with disabilities and their families and caregivers. As individuals with disabilities reach adulthood, important decisions must be made to ensure their...more
Estate planning is not a task that often comes to mind for those who are newlyweds or those parents who are in the midst of raising young children. Either you’re still enjoying the post-wedding excitement and promise of a new...more
It’s always wise to hope for the best but plan for the worst, and, with global rates of dementia on the increase, planning for incapacity should be part of everyone's wealth and succession strategy. Where the assets held...more
In the late 19th century, death was almost fashionable. Funerals were well attended and even rivaled weddings in their splendor and expense. Department stores offered an array of luxury clothing for grieving mothers and...more
Divorce is a major life change that affects far more than just your relationship status. One crucial—but often overlooked—aspect that needs immediate attention after a divorce is your estate plan. Failing to update your...more
For newly married couples and those starting a family, estate planning is often thought of as something to address later in life. However, as discussed by Dan Stone, an associate in the Elder Law Practice Group at Mandelbaum...more
A question for you: do you have an estate plan? Of course you do, everyone needs an estate plan. Second question: who is(are) the beneficiary(ies) of your estate plan? Someone you love and trust, I presume. Perhaps a spouse,...more
In a previous blog, I discussed the process of a parent obtaining a guardianship for their special needs child. This blog discusses why it is not a good idea to try to shortcut this process and to simply have your child sign...more
Blending families often introduce unique dynamics. In addition to the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that blended families create, there is also careful planning to consider when creating or updating an estate plan....more
The media is filled with stories of deceased celebrities whose final wishes were either unknown or the subject of dispute. An important lesson: You can retain control of your finances after incapacity and remain in control of...more
When the Supreme Court made its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, same-sex couples across the country gained the right to marry. But with recent shifts in the legal landscape, such as the overturning of Roe...more
Frank Fritz, star of the History Channel show “American Pickers,” suffered a stroke, became incapacitated, and died on September 30, 2024, at age 60. Before he passed away, his friend, Chris Davis, became his legal guardian....more
Whether you’re a dog lover, a cat person, or a caretaker for another kind of feathered, scaly, or furry friend, pets are an important part of our lives. Yet when individuals are creating their estate plan, their pet’s future...more