by Durham Law Firm | Jun 7, 2021 | Estate Planning
If you are 65, your chances of needing some kind of long-term care during your lifetime are at 70%. While it’s not enjoyable to think about a future including caregivers, it is not wise to ignore a likely scenario. Let’s look at what types of long-term care facilities...
by Durham Law Firm | Jun 2, 2021 | Estate Planning
If you are getting older and less able to care for yourself, legal documents can help prevent future exploitation. Part of preventing financial elder abuse is preparing yourself for a future in which you may need care. Preventing exploitation in your community is...
by Durham Law Firm | May 28, 2021 | Guardianship
If you are an older adult, people may question your memory, sanity, and ability to lead an independent life. They may say you can no longer make decisions for yourself. However, we all have the right to decide our life path, whether good or bad. If others think they...
by Durham Law Firm | May 26, 2021 | Guardianship, Medicaid
Often, people with disabilities struggle to gain independence from a guardian or a limiting type of living situation. Well-meaning family and friends may make the situation worse by thinking they know what is best for a disabled adult. Because we all deserve our...
by Durham Law Firm | May 21, 2021 | Guardianship
As a legal guardian, you are responsible for the care of another. If the person is an adult, these needs include day-to-day, healthcare needs, and financial or home responsibilities. Often, when an adult becomes disabled somehow, a judge appoints a legal guardian to...
by Durham Law Firm | May 18, 2021 | Guardianship
If a court appointed you guardian of a disabled or elderly adult in North Carolina, there are ongoing, annual obligations that you must fulfill. For example, a guardian must decide where the individual will live, authorize any medical care, and often manage the...
by Durham Law Firm | May 14, 2021 | Guardianship
When individuals can no longer care for themselves, someone else can file a petition for guardianship. If necessary, the clerk of court will appoint a temporary guardian for the individual. A temporary guardianship only lasts until the clerk of court decides whether...
by Durham Law Firm | May 13, 2021 | Guardianship
If someone you love needs help to care for themselves, a court often must appoint a guardian. However, before the court can appoint a permanent guardian, it appoints a “guardian ad litem,” usually an attorney, to represent the interests of the individual. This...
by Durham Law Firm | May 8, 2021 | Probate
Everyone over the age of 18 has an estate. Your estate is comprised of everything you own in addition to your minor children and pets. It’s crucial to make a plan for your estate before you die. Without a plan, your estate goes through a long court process known as...
by Durham Law Firm | May 5, 2021 | Probate
If a loved one passes away without owning many assets, you may want to settle the estate without going through the probate process. There are many good reasons to skip the probate line and move straight into settling an estate. In North Carolina, you will need to get...
