Nov. 4, 2015
Planning
Your Estate
secures your legacy
THURSDAY MORNING MIXER Network with other African American business owners, managers, and professionals. This is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and your business to “family” members who did not know that you existed.
Make connections that can grow your business. Make connections so you can refer others to someone that you just met.
November 12, 2015 7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Bon Secours Heart Institute at Reynolds Crossing 7001 Forest Ave. Richmond, VA 23230 Forest Ave. & Glenside Dr.
Doors open 7:30 a.m. We start PROMPTLY at 8:00 a.m.
Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times
Are you ready for year-end fundraising ? An important part of launching your yearend fundraising campaign is data. It’s not sexy, but it’s true. No matter how exciting your campaign may be, the question is this: who are you talking to? We believe a nonprofit’s year-end fundraising should engage current and past supporters, as well as new ones. We understand the excitement of designing a new campaign, using new technology, to engage new donors. Go for it! But don’t forget those who already know and support your organization. Here are four things that can help you engage those you already know. 1. “That was a great cultivation activity.” This is a phrase that makes the rounds within nonprofit circles. It’s repeated after a special event, or when a print or online article draws attention to the work of your nonprofit. Here’s what we know: not everyone you cultivate will give. But, if you don’t ask for a gift you radically increase the chances a prospective donor doesn’t give. Make sure to review lists of all those you have cultivated throughout the year and solicit them using an appropriate method or methods. It’s okay to ask via email,
Letter To The Editor
Free Admission for CVAACC members • Non-members $20.00 Please RSVP via the www.CVAACC.org Event Calendar We want to have your cup of coffee or juice ready for you. Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce Email: Info@CVAACC.org • Phone: 804-823-7745 Sponsored by: A.W. Smith Financial Small Business Solutions www.AWSmithFinancial.com
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Urban Views Weekly | November 4, 2015
through a social media campaign, a direct mail piece, and a personal ask. 2. LYBNT. Within mature fundraising shops, this stands for “Last year but not this.” You run a LYBNT report to learn about a group of donors you need to solicit: those who gave last year, but haven’t yet given this year. When reviewing this report, look to learn “how” they give. For example, when your donor last gave, did they give via your website, in response to a direct mail appeal, through your phon-a-thon, or because of an in-person ask? Start your solicitation process with their prior giving method. Tip: include foundations and corporations in your LYBNT report so you don’t forget to submit proposals to prior funders. 3. Prior fundraising. Run a report that shows prior year solicitation methods and assess which method had the largest numbers of responses. You will want to make sure your year-end continues on page 5
If you would like to respond to Viewpoints, your submission should contain your name, a full valid address and a daytime phone number. We cannot acknowledge submitted letters. We reserve the right to edit for accuracy, clarity, legality and taste. E-mail (without attachments) to editor@urbanviewsweekly. com. Mail letters to Editor Urban Views Weekly.
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2015 BBEW a great success! The Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce declared the last week in October, Black Business Empowerment Week. The focus was on supporting and growing Black businesses. The activities included introducing college students to Black business owners so they can build relationships that may lead to internships, employment, or mentoring; a workshop on banking and recordkeeping; a luncheon with organizations that have programs that can benefit Black businesses; a golf tournament and networking reception. CHAMBER DAY AT VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY • Expose students to Black Business owners. • Network with students and establish relationships that may lead to internships, employment, or mentoring.
ENTREPRENEUR TRAINING
ROUNDTABLE LUNCHEON
Pathway to Excellence workshop. When the skills that are addressed are applied, they will also help the business be more competitive in the general marketplace.
The luncheon brought together the leadership of organizations that have programs that benefit Black businesses.
VSU students meeting business owners.
Tracey Jeter, Director Virgina Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity, Pat Foster, Director Richmond Minority Business Development www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
GOLF TOURNAMENT- BLACK BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT CELEBRATION Networking reception Hippodrome Theatre Keynote Speaker - Ron Busby, President U.S. Black Chambers of Commerce
Banking and recordkeeping workshop conducted by BB&T and Taylor-Made Business Services
Ron Busby, President, U.S. Black Chambers, Ervin Clarke, Founder/CEO Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce Urban Views Weekly | November 4, 2015
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ViewPoints
Disrespect, Denigration and Assault on the Black Female Body The culture of rape, violence and misogyny has a distinct and longstanding legacy worldwide. Historically, black and brown bodies have been disproportionally targets of said violence for centuries being bought and sold, traded and commodified as property, sexually assaulted, beaten and bred as chattel here in the United States. Violence against Black women and girls has been on the rise and continues to be ignored, under-reported, normalized and/or rationalized in contemporary critical discourse.
By Dr. T
who statistically falls into the category above. Had a white teenage girl in that classroom exhibited the same type of non-compliant behavior, evidence shows that she would NOT have been so brutally victimized. The fact that 2 adult Black males, along with a classroom full of black and brown children, were paralyzed into inaction (with the exception of a lone Black girl who called the assault what it was - WRONG); all in that room, stood by in silent compliance. That singular resounding fact speaks volumes about the undeniable state of jeopardy in which Black women and girls live daily and the lack of safe spaces, systems or individuals that exist to protect our physical bodies and our humanity.
Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina drew national attention when the videotaped assault of a young Black The ugly truth is that black and brown women and girls are just as girl victimized by a police officer in her high school classroom likely, if not more so, to be assaulted and victimized by black and brown went viral. The horrific treatment of this Black teenage girl men and boys than by white ones. Those 2 Black men, as teacher and by a white male police officer in the presence of not one, but school administrator, stood by like slaves on the plantation and watched Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. two adult Black males within feet of the assault was absolutely as that young girl’s black body was choked and violently pried from Founder and Artistic Director appalling. The fact that the first response by many on social her chair, then flung across the classroom with no more regard for her media was to question what must this girl have done to warrant The Conciliation Project and humanity than the enslaved African bodies of generations ago. To the this “type of treatment” or “she must have done something” to young Black boys and girls who were traumatized by this assault, those Associate Professor illicit that type of response, and so on, is testament to just how 2 Black adult males validated and signified by their silent compliance Virginia Commonwealth University insidious the denigration and utter dehumanization of the Black DrT@Margins2theCenter.com and stunned inaction that the officer’s behavior was not only the correct female body has become. The knee-jerk response always seems response, but a legal and necessary one. What kind of example is that? www.theconciliationproject.org to immediately gravitate to “blame the victim” and justify the What kind of psychological damage did they just sear into the minds violence with a type of respectability politics response. In other and psyche of these Black children? What Mr. House Teacher and Mr. words, if “she” had behaved differently then this or that would not have happened to Over-Administrator did to our young people in that moment did as much damage, “her.” Hence, the assault and victimization was her fault. In effect, she made him do it! collectively, as the horrendous violence captured by cellphone cameras throughout Sound familiar? It should. the classroom space. Shameful. They should be ashamed and, yet, they are not. All we hear is disrespect, denigration and assault on the Black female body through Blame, Black women and girls suffer disproportionately higher levels of sexual violence and Compliance and Absolute SILENCE. assault than white women and girls. They make up 13% of the U.S. population, yet are 35% to 40% more likely than white women and girls to be victims of violence. In that Up Next Week: National Native American Heritage Month classroom in South Carolina last week, we all watched a violent assault on a teenager
TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll
Birthdays • Anniversaries • Weddings • Funerals
A majority of Americans, 56%, believe that if more Americans carried concealed weapons after passing a criminal background check and training course, the country would be safer.
Flowers & Gifts for All Occasions
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Musicians of all abilities invited to play The Richmond Symphony is inviting musicians of all ages and abilities to grab their instruments and play alongside the Richmond Symphony musicians for the ninth annual Come & Play. Come & Play has become a popular RVA tradition and reached its biggest orchestra to date last year with over 700 musicians in attendance. This year, VCU’s nationally-renowned pep band, “The Peppas” will be a featured guest. Richmond Symphony Come & Play 2015 will be held Sunday, November 22, at Verizon Wireless Arena, Stuart C. Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. The concert begins at 6 p.m. Rehearsal is 2:30 – 5 p.m. To join this year’s Come & Play, musicians must register online at www.richmondsymphony.com. Registration is $10.00 and parts are available for musicians of all levels. T-shirts are optional and sold separately for an additional $8.00. There is no cost to attend the Come & Play performance as an audience member. Come & Play registration is filling up quickly. Violin and flute registration has reached capacity and is now closed. Registration for all other sections will close on Friday, November 13. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to play alongside the city’s top classical musicians under the baton of Associate Conductor Keitaro Harada. Come & Play creates the largest orchestra in the Commonwealth, attracting 700+ musicians from across Virginia and beyond. This event is sponsored by CarMax and presented in support of music education in Richmond area schools. From Fundraising page 2
campaign includes that method. Look also for the method that yielded the most money. Include that method as well.
4. Determine your focus. Use the three methods above to help determine what solicitation methods you and your team should engage in and who you should solicit. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
Petersburg Area Art League November Exhibit Features Paint & Chalk Art by Daniel Calder Opening on Friday, November 13 for Friday for the Arts!, the Petersburg Area Art League will feature the paint and chalk art work of Daniel Calder. The Main Gallery exhibit is entitled “Blackboards” and features a handful of large scale pieces of paint and chalk. “Blackboards are not typically a vehicle for personal expression,” explained artist Daniel Calder. “More commonly, they are used to disseminate knowledge to a broader audience. They are a window to specialized information – an educational tool. The blackboards in this series serve both functions. They feature elements from our civic memory and act as a receptacle for the thoughts, feelings, or perhaps even indiscretions of viewers. I am providing the first half of an equation and inviting the visitors to finish the experience – blurring the line between artist, art, and audience.” Calder, who lives in Glen Allen, Va., is a painter, installation and conceptual artist. He earned his MFA in 1990 from Virginia Commonwealth University, and is a recipient of grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the VMFA, where his next show will be exhibited.
Build your donor base with new donors, but don’t forget your current or lapsed donors. You’ve invested in cultivating them, now be sure to solicit. It is much harder to gain a new donor than it is to retain a current one. Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are the owners of Saad&Shaw. They serve the nation’s nonprofits. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
He has accepted commissions by the City of Richmond and the Washington Project for the Arts. Calder’s work appears in numerous private and corporate collections and has been featured in various publications including Artpapers, The Washingtonian, Style Weekly, Richmond Magazine, and The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Calder explains the interactive nature of his work and the exhibit: “My images are intended to use some humor and discord to encourage the viewer to reconsider… everything. Though the preexisting images are permanent, chalk and erasers are provided for viewers to add or take away from the information – rewriting history or providing their own. In the end, even in the gallery setting – not even the artist’s voice will have the last say.” The November exhibit runs through Sunday, November 29. The Friday for the Arts! gallery shows start at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. Call 804-861-4611 for more information or visit www.paalart. org. PAAL is located at 7 East Old Street in Petersburg.
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Estate & Pre-Planning: A g Leaving a Legacy
Do You Have a Will?
How will you be remembered? You work your whole life to get ahead and provide for your family. When it comes time for estate planning, it’s natural to think about your legacy.
Writing a will does not have to be a scary experience. In fact, it can be a positive one that leaves you feeling secure about having things in order — even if you’re in your 20s or 30s.
And you don’t need an exorbitant amount of financial savings to make a difference in your community. Are there certain organizations that you believe in? Maybe you’ve devoted large chunks of time to advancing their goals and missions? A lawyer can help you set up a will that lays out how your estate will be split among the groups for which you are most passionate.
If you have children, valuable assets or great financial savings, the time to write a will is now. And you shouldn’t do it alone. A legal expert who is trained in the area can provide you with great tools and strategies for effectively making a plan to leave behind your estate to friends, family or charitable organizations.
Fund a Scholarship One way to positively impact your community for years to come is to set up a college scholarship program with some of your financial savings. Coordinate doing so with your target high school and an attorney who specializes in wills, trusts and estates. Once the details are set on the legal end, this can be a fun project because you can choose specific eligibility requirements for the scholarship. Let’s say you’ve been interested in the music arts for many years. Your scholarship can be offered only for students who wish to pursue a career in music. You can make the application process require an original recorded piece for consideration for the scholarship. Don’t forget to set up a collection of friends or school officials as the scholarship board, which will be entrusted with keeping the legacy going and selecting the winning students.
Talk it Over Many people have a difficult time deciding how they’ll divvy up their savings and possessions when they pass away. Emotions may run high if one of your family members feels they aren’t receiving equal amounts of your estate. That’s why talking about making a large charitable donation is so important. Trustworthy, loving family members will respect your wishes to contribute some of your financial savings, property or even possessions to a charitable organization. Others may have negative feelings toward your decision. It’s critical that you have an open discussion with your closest family members to get feelings out on the table to achieve an honest dialogue. 6
Urban Views Weekly | November 4, 2015
Wills Many Americans do not have a will and postpone creating one, according to the Health and Retirement Study, a biennial survey of 26,000 people over the age of 50 supported by the National Institute on Aging and administered by the University of Michigan. Even among those over the age of 75, only 75 percent have a will, the study found. So why doesn’t everyone have a will? Fear may be a major factor for many as they consider writing a will an uncomfortable topic too closely related to the subject of death. In fact, you should think of it in the opposite way. Writing a will means you are actually helping your family members in the case of your passing. Would you want them dumbfounded with figuring out who receives your savings, your home and your most prized possessions? Spell all of this out in your will and save your family members the stress of guessing how you wanted your estate split.
Choosing an Executor Making a will requires planning, including choosing an executor. The ideal candidate will be someone who fully understands the responsibilities of that role. Before asking a close friend or loved one to take on the role, understand that it can be a logistical challenge. There’s recordkeeping, management of multiple passwords and updating of critical documents. Not to mention the pain of seeing someone they know, and love, go through an end-of-life situation. No matter how prepared they may think they are to handle executor responsibilities, the reality of the situation can be overwhelming
once the time comes to make high-stress decisions.
Generational Gaps Which generation do you claim as your own? Baby Boomer? Generation X? Generation Y? A recent survey by U.S. Trust made the interesting connection between estate planning perceptions and the generation to which a person belongs. Every generation has its own challenges in regards to estate planning and must take these factors in consideration when deciding how an inheritance will be broken down. People from the later-phase generations X and Y are starting to realize the importance of creating elder care plans for their parents, as well as having one for themselves. With advancements in technology and new medicine, we are living longer lives. The average costs for nursing and long-term care facilities only look to increase in the coming decades. Smart financial planning now will make for lesser burdens when it comes time to pay for these rising expenses. The numbers below provide an insight into how the different generations are handling their pre-planning and estate planning now — and how they hope their decisions pay off. First a recap on how generations are defined for the purposes of this study:
gift of love for loved ones By Bernard Freeman
properties or other assets to their offspring face a unique challenge: keeping everyone happy. Family fighting over money and property is unfortunate — but it does happen. Wills and estates are among the last gifts parents leave their children, and the gifting comes at a very emotional and sensitive time. Add to this the immense pressure of knowing that how they dole out their assets can impact future generations, and it’s no wonder that holistic — or collaborative — planning is such a critical strategy.
What is Holistic Planning? Holistic planning is an approach that involves parents collaborating with adult children to create a better estate plan. The children are engaged throughout all phases of the process, giving them the chance to voice any concerns and state what is most important to them. This is a recently emerging method, one that is slowly replacing highly secretive processes executed with little or no open discussion. This outdated approach can leave many surprised when the will is read. • Generations X and Y (18 to 46 years old) • Baby Boomers (47 to 66 years old) • Older Generation (67 years and older)
The Numbers • 40 percent of those surveyed in generations X and Y have taken the time to create elder care plans for their parents • 61 percent of wealthy parents surveyed are under the impression that their kids are unable to handle finances. Half of those wealthy parents fall within the Baby Boomers generation. • 51 percent of those surveyed had created a living trust, which depending on your needs, generally allows you to pass more of your inheritance to specific parties with the least amount of delay • 43 percent believed that having a will replaced the need to have a trust • 31 percent admitted to procrastinating about getting any kind of estate plan
Holistic Planning What’s most important to you after you are laid to rest? For many, it’s family harmony. This is where holistic planning comes into play. Parents who wish to leave foundations, trusts, businesses,
the assets and property are discussed among family members, emotions may still be attached to certain aspects of planning that impact who gets what and how much. But maintaining control of the conversation and realizing that the parents have the final say over what happens to their possessions is the most important thing to remember when choosing to go this route.
Funeral Planning Checklist With family responsibilities, bills and savings goals, one of the last things on your financial radar may be pre-planning for your own funeral. But taking care of this now can save you money and your family stress when the time comes to say goodbye. You can choose from a large number of memorial societies that will help you plan your own funeral and burial options. And many funeral homes will lock you in at today’s rate, even if you have a full 40 years of life expectancy left. When pre-planning your own funeral, there are many details to consider. A few services offered by funeral homes are listed below. A professional can walk you through the costs of each to help you build an accurate budget.
Why Does it Work?
Potential Costs • Embalming and other body preparation
The National Center for Family Philanthropy breaks down why holistic planning is becoming more popular:
• Selecting flowers, headstone, plaque or tomb • Renting facilities for viewing the body
• Parents gain assurance that their children will feel fairly treated • Parents also gain assurances that the family will (hopefully) not fight over assets once the conversations and decisions have been finalized • It provides a final opportunity to communicate and reinforce values and hopes for future family success
The Conversation As long as everyone is comfortable in talking about the subject of estate planning, it can be effective to make a family retreat out of the discussion. Taking a short trip somewhere enjoyable and spending some quality time on the topic is a great way of lightening the mood. This is especially effective if the parents are actually healthy and well. This is not to paint the process as 100 percent satisfactory. As
• Memorial cards and guest book • Tents and chairs for the funeral • Copies of death certificate Questions to Consider • Will you have a burial or cremation, or donate your body to science? • Will the casket be open or closed? • Will there be an indoor memorial or graveside service? • Who will conduct the service? • Will there be music played at the service? • Will there be a celebration-of-life lunch or dinner? www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
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Richmond Ballet’s Community Dance Connection
Richmond Ballet’s Community Dance Connections are a unique way to get inside of dance. The evening included an opportunity for everyone to learn some of Balanchine’s choreography. The community dancers were from Pine Camp’s City Dance and liturgical dancers from The Ayinde2 Children & Youth Liturgical Dancers, Saint Paul’s Baptist Church and New Canaan Worship Center. Cat Studdard, Director of Education at Richmond Ballet shared that, “It was great to partner with the VCU Department of Dance and Choreography on our Community Dance Connection focusing on Balanchine’s ballet, The Four Temperaments. You could tell by the participants’ laughter and nods of acknowledgement that Mr. Trostli’s engaging descriptions of the classic temperaments resonated with everyone. And what an incredible experience for everyone to work with Ballet Master Jerri Kumery as she taught such a talented and diverse group part of Balanchine’s acclaimed choreography. The participants were thrilled to dance alongside four of Richmond Ballet’s professional dancers: Lauren Fagone, Cody Beaton, Mates Szentes and Marty Davis. Jerri Kumery danced with New York City Ballet from 1977-1987, under the direction of George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins. Ms. Kumery is currently Ballet Master with Richmond Ballet, répétiteur with the George Balanchine Trust and the curator of the Salvatore Ailleo ballets. Roberto Trostli has worked as a Waldorf teacher, adult educator, lecturer and author for 35 years. He currently works at Richmond Waldorf School. The Four Temperaments with Windows will open Saturday, November 7 at Carpenter Theatre. Tickets start at $20.
Photo by, Alexis Johnson
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Urban Views Weekly | November 4, 2015
November is National Family Caregivers Month: Local Resources Help with Care of Loved Ones Nationally, more than 34 million individuals are caregivers for family members and friends. Of these, research shows that the majority, 83%, are caring for older adults, families and friends. These informal caregivers are unpaid. They have many challenges and often need support. Over the course of their lifetime, many individuals will find themselves taking care of loved ones who may need temporary or long-term assistance with daily activities. Being a caregiver can be fulfilling as individuals do their best to support loved ones, friends or neighbors with needed help and reassurance. However, sometimes caregivers may find themselves needing assistance and not knowing where to turn. Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging offers programs and services to help caregivers in their efforts to support loved ones. Programs and services that provide support to caregivers include: Caregiver Support: Assists family members with their caregiving roles by providing information about available resources, assistance in gaining access to supportive services, individual counseling and respite support. Friendship Cafes: Provides balanced meals, health education and screenings for older adults. Participants receive nutritious meals and opportunities for socialization, recreation and wellness activities. Currently, there are 21 cafes in the metropolitan Richmond area.
Home Care: Provides personal care, homemaker/ companion care and caregiver respite on the basis of need. Coordinated Transportation: Transportation is provided for critical medical appointments and is available for individuals who meet eligibility requirements. Assistance is also provided in finding transportation resources. Home Delivered Meals: Provides meals for homebound seniors who have significant health conditions or physical or mental impairments. Money Management and Counseling: Provides one-on-one check writing and bill paying services and assists seniors age 60 and over with managing personal finances. TeleBridges: A telephone reassurance program in which volunteers make phone calls to seniors as needed to check on their well-being. Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP): Volunteers counsel seniors and others about making informed decisions on Medicare and other insurance including health, Medigap and long-term care. Assistance with tracking medical bills and resolving complaints is also provided. For additional information about these programs or other Agency services, please call 804-343-3000 or visit www.seniorconnections-va.org.
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The Deal
By Nathaniel Sillin
Moving Soon? Keep Costs Under Control Even if you’re only moving across town, it’s likely to cost more than you think. According to the latest figures from the American Moving and Storage Association, the average cost of an in-state professional move – based on 7,570 pounds of stuff – is $1,170. The average state-tostate move costs $5,630. How can you control moving expenses? Start making a master checklist to collect data and consider all costs and personal aspects of a potential move. You may even want to include a pro-and-con list that addresses all conceivable economic and lifestyle outcomes – the real long-term costs and benefits of a move. After deciding whether the move is worthwhile, consider these subsequent steps: Seek solid advisors. Whether or not you plan to sell a home with a licensed real estate broker or agent, most are open to do a market valuation of your property and suggest repairs or improvements that could maximize a sale price. If you use a qualified financial planner or tax advisor, include that individual in early discussions on how a move might affect your finances. Also, if you’re selling property, find an experienced real estate attorney to review broker and sale contracts. Get multiple estimates from movers. An early walkthrough at your home or apartment by two to three U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)-registered movers can provide a reality check on how much you’ll want to take and whether you can afford luxuries like packing or storage. Online resources can also help you evaluate those estimates. Watch for fraud. Recent news reports have highlighted a trend called “hostage load,” a practice whereby unscrupulous moving companies demand more money from customers before finishing a delivery. Getting references from trusted friends and advisors is a good first step to
finding the right registered mover for your relocation. DOT has launched the “Protect Your Move” site that allows you to download a moving fraud protection guide and offers tips on proper ways to investigate and hire a mover. Start downsizing – now. Getting early estimates from movers certainly helps you decide what you’re really willing to take. If there are valuables you think you can sell, consult professional appraisers and even general marketplace sources like eBay to get a realistic idea of value. Otherwise, consider garage sales and donations for the rest. Insure what you’re moving. Whatever plans you’re making for home or renter’s coverage at the new destination, make sure you have proper coverage in place for the contents of your move. The Insurance Information Institute provides a useful guide to properly insuring the possessions you’re moving. Build a cash reserve for deposits, fees and incidentals. Keeping moving costs low can help you handle dozens of smaller and sometimes unexpected expenses that crop up immediately before, during and after a move. Budget for those hidden costs which can include deposits, fees and multiple trips to the discount store, home center or grocery. Bottom line: Thinking about moving? Give yourself adequate time and resources to plan all aspects of this major life and money event. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.
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From 2015 BBEW page 3
Golf Tournament at Brickshire golf course
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Urban Views Weekly | November 4, 2015
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Classifieds
How to Guide
PLACE YOUR AD TODAY
Legal Safeguards for Your Golden Years Seniors who feel comfortable with their financial future and health coverage are more likely to enjoy good health. When seniors retire, there are a wide variety of potential legal issues facing them. Medical expenses, nursing care, estate planning and wealth management are just some of the topics that seniors must keep in mind.
MEDICAID BENEFITS While many people confuse Medicaid and Medicare, the two programs are different. Medicaid offers medical coverage for low-income citizens regardless of age. It will help pay expenses of prescription drugs, home health care, doctor visits and more.
It is great to have legal expertise in these areas to help guide you through some complicated matters. It is too important to risk doing on your own.
MEDICARE BENEFITS Created in the mid-1960s, Medicare remains one of the several federal programs that exist to benefit seniors. It ensures that Americans over the age of 65 will have health coverage.
DISABILITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE Lawyers who specialize in disability issues inform clients about healthcare resources, financial assistance and even educational benefits. Consulting with these professionals ensures that anyone suffering from a disability has access to available resources to help them fulfill their potential.
Spouses of veterans may also be eligible for certain benefits. An experienced lawyer can help them navigate the system.
People who are younger than 65 may also receive benefits under certain conditions. Hospitalization, prescription drugs, visits to the doctor and home nursing assistance expenses are covered by this program. If you want to learn more about Medicare benefits, consult an elder law attorney. Qualified lawyers with experience in this area can provide information about program eligibility. They can also tell seniors how to maximize their benefits.
ASSET MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION Wealth management strategy is one of the most critical aspects of estate planning. No senior should ignore it. Having a deliberate, tactical strategy is a strategic way to safeguard wealth for future generations. Lawyers who specialize in Medicaid guide clients through the application process. These attorneys will instruct clients about getting the maximum level of assistance possible.
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Failing to draft a thorough estate plan can be expensive. It can be devastating to decedents who may not have the financial resources to work through legalities. Estate planning lawyers will craft documents that detail their client’s true intent regarding asset distribution. Wills and trusts are two common ways of smoothly transitioning assets from one family member to another.
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VETERANS’ AID Eligible veterans have many benefits available for their use. Seniors who may be entitled to receive these benefits should always consult with an attorney to make sure they receive everything they are due. Attorneys specializing in veterans’ affairs have a firm understanding of the different benefits and the procedures for claiming them.
Proper planning puts the power into their hands. It is a fantastic way to preserve their wealth in order to get lasting benefits for their families.
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Attorneys can also craft strategies to minimize the estate tax liabilities that heirs may face. Skilled estate planning lawyers will offer creative solutions for protecting assets from the negative effects of the probate process. Getting proper and professional elder care and legal advice not only protects you and your loved ones; it also provides peace of mind.
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Urban Views Weekly | November 4, 2015
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NO PREP. ALL PARTY! party platters & trays for any gathering, large or small
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Urban Views Weekly | November 4, 2015
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