The following is from a letter from Chief Judge Kelli L. Wolk, defining the essential functions of the Probate Court to be carried out during the current Judicial Emergency, as declared by Superior Court Chief Judge Reuben Green and Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Harold Melton:"March ...

Most elder law practitioners and caregivers want to help any senior that walks through their doors. But what happens when that senior isn't a United States citizen? What special rules and circumstances must be considered? How does this impact their case and their care? Current Immigration Cl...

You may see it coming: Much as you want to and hard as you try, you just can't take care of your ill spouse at home any more. At this emotionally difficult time, the last thing you need is the stress of not knowing where to find the money to pay for the steep costs of institutional care.  Ad...

The sudden rise of the coronavirus, COVID-19, has left many unprepared and confused. There are numerous reports of shortages of antibacterial hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and even toilet paper. While we can't predict when something like COVID-19 might strike, we can take steps to prepa...

Additional resources that you can share with your audience follow, provided by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ Create a household plan of action Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan. Meet with household members, other relatives, and friends to discuss what to...

We are living in confusing and scary times. The senior population has been identified as the most at-risk demographic for COVID-19. Information coming out about COVID-19 is very fluid, which can also contribute to overall stress. Thankfully there are ways to try and manage stress and stay as he...

Estate planning isn't just for older people, couples with children, or individuals with a lot of financial wealth. Single people, young adults, and those with a modest income can also benefit from estate planning. As a Marietta will and trust lawyer, I believe there are five essential items tha...

As estate planning and elder law attorneys, our practice is dedicated to serving our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors, those who are ill, disabled, experiencing mental health challenges and children with special needs.  We deeply understand the anxiety and hardships that the curre...

Doesn't it make sense for a family member to care for a senior who needs help at home, rather than paying someone else or an agency? Or uprooting the senior into an institution? The family member can pay the bills, balance the checkbook, keep the house clean, shop and make meals, and take the...

The short answer: Both share similar concerns. The longer answer? The differences make all the difference.  The Concerns are Similar  No matter what age we're in, life can deliver some hard knocks. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. We can get into accidents, especially when we're ...

Tomorrow, March 8, it will be time to “spring forward” with the change to daylight savings time.  While it's no fun losing an hour of sleep, it is always a nice reminder the long days of summer are ahead.  I'd also like to remind you all the there are other ways to “spring forward” and take ot...

As a rule of thumb, no one else is obligated to pay the debt of a person who has died. So, in general, you will not be responsible to pay off your deceased spouse's debts. However, there are some exceptions that vary from state to state: If you co-sign on a loan, then you now owe the debt. ...

Say your spouse is living in a nursing home because of advanced Parkinson's. Your spouse is currently receiving Medicaid benefits to pay for the high cost of that care. If you were to pass before your spouse, you wouldn't want your spouse to inherit all your life savings, no matter how much you...

According to the US Census Bureau, more than 51 million Americans are currently aged 65 or older, and the number is steadily increasing while medical and technological advancements are allowing seniors to live longer and better lives than ever before. The expanding needs of the US aging populat...

The silver tsunami of Americans aging into 65 or more years puts additional strain on an already overtaxed US health care system which is running low on doctors, nurses, and caregivers. The surge in baby boomer seniors and near-seniors has put a focus on Telehealth and mHealth technology platfo...

Stephen Worrall and his firm Georgia Estate Plan: Worrall Law LLC were named by Expertise.com as one of the Best Probate Attorneys in Atlanta. Their proprietary research and selection process identifies the top service professionals in over 200 different industries across the top cities in the...

In France, proposals to raise the retirement age are met with street protests. Yet around the world, the retirement age is creeping up; in the United States, it is moving up from 65 to 67. In fact, 2019 research shows that many Americans expect that they might never retire at all. People simply...

Most older adults believe that it's easier for everyone involved – loved ones, beneficiaries, and executors – if they transfer full or partial ownership of their home prior to their passing. However, Marietta GA elder law attorneys will caution you that there are several risks to consider when ...

Here at Georgia Estate Plan: Worrall Law LLC, we are following the news about Coronavirus and a second burst of the traditional flu that's impacting people in our community. While we don't believe that anyone should panic, we do want to encourage anyone with older or immuno-compromised loved o...

There is a wide range of home health care services available from daily household tasks to medical care. Before identifying a health care service for information, get a clear idea of what you are in the market for, be it recovery from surgery or long-term care for a chronic illness. The first s...

Home ownership is the American Dream. People work hard all their lives to own a home, and it is often their most valuable and significant possession. So when health begins to fail and the need for long-term care arises, we often get this fear-filled question from our clients: will they take awa...

Successfully addressing and legally formalizing inheritance of family values and assets can be challenging, especially if parents wait too long to begin instilling family values. Undoubtedly the best time to teach and empower your children as eventual inheritors of your family legacy is during ...

A family caregiving meeting is an essential tool when dealing with the care of an aging loved one. These meetings are beneficial for helping to keep all family members abreast of decisions that need to be made, changes in diagnosis or prognosis, and helps to ensure that all family members feel ...

A Special Needs Trust (also called a Supplemental Needs Trust) is a legal document that holds assets for a person with disabilities, while also providing legal authority for a trustee to manage money and make financial decisions on behalf of the individual with special needs. The Special Needs...

A strong power of attorney is indeed powerful for a condition like Alzheimer's. But it may come as a surprise to learn that a good “basic” advance-directive document needs considerable supplementation when it comes to a dreadful illness like ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig'...