Each year the U.S. Social Security Administration calculates an adjustment in the cost of living (COLA). The 2020 COLA increase has now been set at 1.6%. That means that, starting January 1, 2020, a number of changes will cascade through the benefit structure. How will the 2020 COLA increase affect you, or your family member?…
In this online, digital age, do you still need to keep original documents in a secure place? Yes — though (at least in Arizona) loss of some originals — especially your trust and powers of attorney — may not be a huge problem. Join us for a discussion about which original estate planning documents you…
Medicare is a great health-care program for its participants. Most Medicare beneficiaries prefer its coverage to what they might get under Medicaid. But what about people who can’t afford the premiums for Medicare Part B (and Part D), the co-payments and the deductibles. For them, QMB and SLMB and QI might offer help. But what…
Like many states, Arizona has included a statutory health care power of attorney in its law. That means the legislature has written a power of attorney form for you. You can fill it out, sign it and have it witnessed, and you have a completely valid document. The Arizona Attorney General’s office has even made…
From the client’s perspective, the initial estate planning interview might seem unsettling, confusing — even a little bit frightening. How often, after all, do you settle in for a long discussion about mortality, disability and family dynamics? Our job (well, one of our jobs) is to make the interview helpful, productive and even relaxing. When…
What is the difference between a third-party special needs trust and a self-settled trust? The distinction can be way more confusing than it ought to be. The trusts are similar in a number of ways, but there are important differences. A few months ago, we explained self-settled special needs trusts in this space. Those are…
The initial client interview with your new lawyer can be a daunting experience. We are not actually very intimidating, but clients often feel a little overwhelmed by that first interview. We’d like to put you at ease. Want to know what we’re looking for in the interview? We want to get to know you a…
Good for you! You signed your will and powers of attorney! Maybe you even finalized your living trust, and transferred all (or most) of your assets into the trust’s name. You’re done, right? You never have to update your estate plan again, right? Wrong. Of course. But how soon do we want to see you…
Hopeful planning: when your estate plan is based around your hope that everything will turn out fine. We see it a lot. Often it works. Too often it does not. Two cases we read last week illustrate how hopeful planning can go wrong when facts change after the planner’s death. Both happened to be California…
We are SO pleased to announce that Jacque Mingle, partner here at Fleming & Curti, PLC, just learned that she has been certified as a specialist in Estate and Trust law by the State Bar of Arizona. We’re very happy for and proud of her. Join us for this podcast episode to hear Jacque explain…