Happy New Year!  This is the time of year when people make resolutions, and a good one for 2015 may be to get your legal affairs in order.

The could mean creating an estate plan, or updating an old one.  Having a quality will, power of attorney and healthcare directive in place is important in case something happens to you in the coming year.  And having a well-crafted estate plan can bring you a certain peace of mind knowing that if something happens, your family will be protected.

A lot of people delay unpleasant things until after the holidays.  Perhaps you have a parent whose mental capacity or ability to care for herself is starting to slip.  Maybe that became clear when you visited for the holidays.

If a loved one may soon need long term care, now is right time to start planning for it.  We can help you figure out how to obtain proper care and how to pay for it.  With nursing home costs in New Jersey around $10,000 per month, long term care is exceedingly expensive.  But with Medicaid planning we can help you avoid impoverishment and keep assets within the family instead of losing them to care costs.

Perhaps you have a child with disabilities who is growing up.  At age 18, every child becomes an adult and has the legal authority to make decisions for himself, regardless of whether he’s disabled or lives with his parents.  Banks, hospitals, schools, government agencies and other institutions have to listen to your child’s instructions instead of yours.  If you want to continue caring for your child after age 18, it’s important to apply for guardianship.

Now is the perfect time to get your legal affairs in order, and FriedmanLaw is here to help.  If you’re interested in knowing more about any of the above or other legal matters, call or email us.