Social Security Retirement Income Mathematics

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] The old saying that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush works most of the time, but it may not apply for everyone concerning Social Security retirement income benefits. In fact, the Social Security system rewards people for delaying their retirement […]

Read More »

Do Old Drivers Fade Away?

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

The ability to drive a car is one of the privileges that most defines quality of life and independent living for the elderly. Unfortunately, the deteriorating effects of aging causes some elderly drivers to become impaired drivers as the following headlines suggest: “Elderly driver crashes into Ziegler’s Ace Hardware in Huntley” (May 4, 2015, Copyright […]

Read More »

Bringing Aged Family Members Home

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] No reasonably healthy person hopes to end up in a nursing home. Many family members struggle with guilt about admitting their loved ones to nursing homes. Relatively recent changes in Medicaid funding have made it possible for people to care for their elderly family members […]

Read More »

Are You Asking the Right Questions about Wills?

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Financial experts often say that if you die without a last will and testament, the state will decide who gets your assets. That statement is true if you die owning assets without joint owners and without naming beneficiaries of bank accounts, insurance policies, retirement plans, […]

Read More »

Helping Ourselves

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] As our local schools reopen consider this wish list: new band instruments and industrial arts resources for our schools; new audio equipment and nursery facilities for local church congregations; enhanced pediatric resources for our hospitals; and improved family recreation resources in our parks. Your local […]

Read More »

Financial Advisor Certifications, Titles, and Pedigrees

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] “Professor” Herald Hill, the con-artist from the acclaimed musical The Music Man, wowed River City, Iowa, with his fancy talk and fake credentials. The magic of Broadway and Hollywood gave us a happy ending that does not often appear in the real world. When consultants, […]

Read More »

Finding Truth In The Information Ocean

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.” Proverbs 15:14 New International Version (NIV). Information technology has expanded rapidly from print into radio, television, and the Internet, flooding us with more information than anyone can comprehend. Caitlin Dewey, digital […]

Read More »

Buying, Selling & Mortgaging Your Home – Part 2

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Business owners hire attorneys to help them establish their businesses and sensible people hire attorneys to prepare their estate plans. Unfortunately, home buyers often rely solely on the advice of non-lawyers to protect them from real estate transaction risks. For most people, a home is […]

Read More »

Buying, Selling, and Mortgaging Your Home – Part 1

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] You have probably heard that “a man’s house is his castle.” Many people invest more money in their homes than in all of their other assets. This article begins a two-part series on basic information and precautions that ordinary people should know about buying and […]

Read More »

Lawyer’s Role in Estate and Trust Administration

Posted on July 12, 2015 by Hawkins Elder Law.

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Most families experience intense grief and sorrow when a loved one dies. The grief sometimes turns to frustration and depression when family members must organize the deceased person’s records, gain control of the person’s finances, and sell, distribute, or dispose of the person’s property. Many […]

Read More »

Verified by MonsterInsights