Introduction US Savings Bonds are traditionally secure and dependable investments. They offer great opportunities to save money while supporting the federal government’s funding needs. However, it’s important to understand how inflation and rising interest rates affect US Savings Bonds. This Article discusses inflation, interest, and savings bonds, and why some banks reject paper savings bonds. […]

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 […]

Folks ask us when they should contact us after we’ve helped them make or update their estate plans. So, when should you contact a lawyer? You should contact a lawyer when you encounter major life events. This Article explains why you should seek legal advice before buying or selling a home or business, upon the […]

Why buy insurance? What kinds of insurance do you need? This Article discusses homeowner’s, automobile, and life insurance and why you might need some. Homeowner’s Insurance Homeowner’s insurance protects homeowners against financial loss from damage to their property or liability claims made against them. The protection covers losses or damages caused by theft, fire, vandalism, […]

This article describes long-term care benefits and eligibility requirements for our aging Hoosier veterans.

Are safe family holiday celebrations in the pandemic possible? Think about it for a moment. Are you tempted to add a question mark to holiday greetings like “Happy Thanksgiving?” “Happy Hanukkah?” or “Merry Christmas?” Families wanting to celebrate holidays this year face pandemic risks like none the world has seen in over a century. So, […]

Hawkins Elder Law provides an overview of SECURE Act’s possible impact on your beneficiaries and what you could do if you need to make a change to your estate plan in light of the new law.

If you plan on Medicaid footing your nursing home bill in Indiana, be very careful when completing the Indiana Application for Health Care Coverage to avoid getting denied. Medicaid is a government program which provides healthcare benefits including long term care to low income individuals who qualify. However, all too often people have their Medicaid […]

This article includes our answers to recent questions about Indiana’s 5-year Medicaid lookback rule. The answers also explain transfer penalties, and some property transfer strategies that elder law attorneys use to protect assets from long-term health care expenses. 5-Year Medicaid Lookback Inquiry Could my spouse and I avoid the lookback legally by purchasing my parents’ home […]

[See our Disclaimers page about relying on this website’s contents.] An estate planning lawyer usually serves clients alone, without involving any other lawyers in the estate planning process. In some cases involving married couples, however, one lawyer cannot do the whole job alone because the lawyer’s ethical obligations prohibit the lawyer from serving both the […]