For most people, the durable power of attorney is the most important estate planning instrument available — even more useful than a will. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new guidance on whether families can visit loved ones in nursing homes. The guidance allows indoor visitation even when the resident has not been vaccinated. 

Life insurance can play a few key roles in an estate plan, depending on your age and situation in life. 

For better and for worse, Medicaid is the primary method of paying for nursing home care in the United States. But navigating the Medicaid system is complicated and confusing. Here are the basics. 

If you want to make a gift to family members but have exceeded the annual gifting limit, there is another way. Payments for a family member’s education or health care expenses are exempt from the gift tax. 

President Biden has signed the latest COVID-19 relief bill, which in addition to authorizing stimulus checks, funding vaccine distribution, and extending unemployment benefits, also provides assistance to seniors in a number of ways. 

Netflix’s popular new movie, “I Care a Lot,” may be far-fetched in a lot of ways, but it does highlight some real weaknesses in the guardianship system. Fortunately, steps can be taken to avoid the kind of nightmare the film portrays. 

All trusts should be reviewed every few years to make sure that they are up-to-date with the law and meet your current goals. Here is a checklist of trust features you can review yourself.