In today’s digital age, managing your money through online accounts is not just convenient; it’s smart! Whether it’s shares of stock through CompuServe, life insurance policies, annuities, investments, or banking, going online makes it easier for you. Let’s break it down so you can see how easy and beneficial it can be. Why Should You […]

Does your name appear with someone on a bank or investment account? If so, you and the other people may be joint tenants with rights of survivorship (JTEN). Indiana law refers to people sharing a JTEN account as “parties.” This article discusses why people make JTEN accounts and some hidden JTEN headaches and heartaches. WHY […]

Is children’s life insurance a smart investment for your family? As we previously wrote in the Hawkins Elder Law Blog (https://www.hawkinselderlaw.com/why-should-you-buy-insurance/), a life policy is an important safety net for some people. However, this article explains why life insurance for children may be a poor investment. Life Insurance Purpose and Investment Performance Life Insurance Purpose […]

Medicaid application trial and error creates big problems for nursing home residents. Unfortunately, it is a common practice that creates financial nightmares for nursing home residents’ families. This article explains common Medicaid application problems and suggests when people should seek professional help from experienced elder law attorneys. Medicaid Application Trial and Error – Repetition Doesn’t […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Concerns about burdening surviving family members with headaches and expenses lead many retirees to think about funeral pre-planning. If you pay attention to life insurance television ads targeted at retirees, you can see several life insurance sales pitches that prey upon those concerns. Like many […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Electronic devices, computer software, and the Internet are expanding what we can do and the ways we can do it at a mind-boggling pace. Technology can simplify or complicate life, depending on how well we use it. In this article, we offer 5 tips to […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Most people think once in a while about the inheritance that they will leave for others. Some people assume that their wealth will transfer to their family members smoothly and other people believe that they must make detailed plans. To some extent, both ideas are […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] Many people today struggle with how to invest money and what to do when a family member faces a health crisis. When you lack expertise for urgent financial and healthcare decisions, take decision-making advice from former US President Ronald Reagan: “trust, but verify.” Mr. Reagan […]

[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, […]

Retirement plans, annuities, and life insurance policies are great tools to accumulate and protect wealth for some people. However, all investments require some attention to details regarding beneficiary designations and ownership choices. None of these tools fits everyone and some tools can be inappropriate for some people. A knowledgeable estate planning attorney uses these financial […]