Publications
Newspaper and other articles written by Nancy Larson and Heidi Dodd.

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STAYING IN CHARGE Plan now to stay in control of your healthcare and assets if you become unable to communicate or make decisions on your own.

PLANNING LONG TERM CARE Discussion on the costs of long term care and advice on planning ahead to minimize the impact of long term care expenses.

WEATHER AND AGING Bad weather and aging are both part of life. Tips on dealing with both.

GETTING YOUR LEGAL AFFAIRS IN ORDER The beginning of a new year is a good time to get your legal affairs in order.

ARE YOU HAVING A "BAD HEIR" DAY A family fight over the estate of a loved one can devastate the closest of relationships.

CONVERSATION BEFORE THE CRISIS AND AFTER How do you best protect yourself, your loved ones and your assets from a natural disaster?

DID THEY JUST THROW MAMA FROM THE TRAIN In response to tightening the Federal budget and a promise by Congress last year to slash $10 billion from the Federal Medicaid budget.

HAVE YOU HAD THE TALK To avoid a family feud after you are gone, a family conference is a good way to share information and keep lines of communication open.

LESSONS FROM TERRI SCHIAVO After the long death of Terri Schiavo, many Americans are asking what they would do if they were in her situation.

LOVING WITHOUT A LICENSE Whether married or not, couples of the opposite sex or same sex find that planning for disability and death is a daunting task.

NO SENIOR LEFT BEHIND The State of Illinois has finally caught on to the notion that it makes sense for many Senior Citizens to age in place.

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST A Revocable Living Trust is a legal document that includes instructions regarding what should be done with your assets when you die.

STAYING HOME CAN YOU AFFORD IT Joan lived with her mother Betty in the family home for many years, combining their limited income to pay household expenses.

TO DRIVE OR NOT TO DRIVE Driving is one of life’s most enjoyed legal privileges. It enables us to be independent, to explore the world on our own terms.

WHO GETS GRANDMA'S COOKIE JAR After my mom died there was only one thing that my sisters and I all wanted: Grandma’s cookie jar.

WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES After a loved one dies, there are many issues which need to be addressed to wrap up the person’s legal and financial affairs.

INSURING AN UNOCCUPIED HOUSE No doubt as we age, most of us would rather age in place than move due to an unexpected setback in health.

ABUSIVE MARKETING OF ANNUITIES TO SENIORS Beware of trust mills, free lunches, and seminars with a sales motive.

LATE IN LIFE MARRIAGE MEANS REVISING YOUR ESTATE PLANS As the average life expectancy in the United States reaches 78 years, people are living longer and finding love later in life.

NONE OF US WILL GET OUT OF HERE ALIVE Many of us have already forgotten about those New Year’s resolutions to eat less, exercise more, or watch less television. However, one resolution you should make and follow through with is to do some legal and financial planning.

GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN In Illinois, over 100,000 grandparents are caring for grandchildren in their home. The average age of grandparents raising grandchildren is 57.

SUDDENLY SENIOR ... AND SINGLE Whether widowed or never married, time delivers us on the doorstep of maturity (golden years) in the blink of an eye.

TIMESHARES...THE IMPACT ON YOUR ESTATE PLANNING Timeshares are an interesting real estate creature that can impact your estate planning as well as hinder the administration of your estate upon your death.

THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Older adults are resilient. Armed with a lifetime of experience, they have survived ups and downs, and seen trends come and go. The economy is tough and there are difficult consequences, yet this too shall pass.

NOW WHAT DO I DO “Now what do I do?” The fact that you are the Successor Trustee of a Revocable Living Trust means you will not have to go through PROBATE. This will save you a great deal of time and money. That is the good news!

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2010? “Are you a “Junior Senior?” and Vietnam Veterans Benefits Expanded, Spousal Impoverishment Figures for 2010

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND How do you protect yourself from someone who is trying to financially take advantage of you now, if you become disabled, or at death?

EXECUTOR 101 If you are named as executor, you will act as the personal representative legally in charge of handling the estate which may go through probate court.

MOM , I'M HOME ... FOREVER Intergenerational households are no longer a thing of the past. Tough economic times remind us that pooling resources to share living expenses allow us to "live lean."