How to Protect Your Trust Fund from Mismanagement: Lessons from the Govoni Scandal

How to Protect Your Trust Fund from Mismanagement: Lessons from the Govoni Scandal

What if the professional you’ve entrusted to safeguard your child’s special‑needs inheritance is secretly draining it dry… right under your nose, while you’re living under a different state’s laws? This isn’t fiction; it happened in Florida, and it should terrify every California parent preparing a trust. I’ve been in this profession long enough to know…

Go Bananas Webinar: Conservatorships vs. Power of Attorney & Health Care Directives

Go Bananas Webinar: Conservatorships vs. Power of Attorney & Health Care Directives

Planning legal support for a loved one with developmental disabilities can feel confusing—but understanding your options is the first step toward peace of mind. In this informative webinar, Jeffrey C. Nickerson, Esq. of Nickerson Law teams up with Go Bananas to guide families through the differences between Limited Conservatorships, Powers of Attorney, and Advance Health…

Go Bananas Webinar: A Family Guide to Special Needs Trusts

Go Bananas Webinar: A Family Guide to Special Needs Trusts

Planning for the future of a loved one with special needs can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this informative webinar, Jeffrey C. Nickerson, Esq. of Nickerson Law teams up with Go Bananas to walk families through the essentials of Special Needs Trusts. Learn how to protect government benefits, plan long-term care, and…

Maximizing Your 2025 Social Security Increase: What it Mea

Maximizing Your 2025 Social Security Increase: What it Mea

Written by Robert T. Nickerson In 2025, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase by 2.5% due to the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This increase helps retirees and beneficiaries manage inflation and serves as a reminder to review your estate plan for financial alignment. Understanding the 2025 COLA Increase The COLA is…

Preserving Family Traditions Through Estate Planning

Preserving Family Traditions Through Estate Planning

Preserving Family Traditions Through Estate Planning Written by Robert Nickerson Holidays are about family, laughter, and the traditions that tie us together—Grandma’s famous pie recipe, the annual ornament exchange, or the antique clock that’s been in the family for generations. But what happens to those cherished traditions and heirlooms when life changes? Without a plan,…

Why You Need an Advanced Healthcare Directive: 5 Real-Life Scenarios

Why You Need an Advanced Healthcare Directive: 5 Real-Life Scenarios

Written by Robert T. Nickerson When we think about planning for the future, many of us focus on finances or retirement. But what happens if you’re unable to make medical decisions for yourself? That’s where an advance healthcare directive comes in. An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that spells out your wishes for…

The Complexities of Conservatorships: The Story of Casey Kasem

The Complexities of Conservatorships: The Story of Casey Kasem

Casey Kasem, a beloved radio personality and the iconic voice of Shaggy on Scooby-Doo, brought joy to millions with his upbeat voice and signature phrase: “Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.” But in his later years, Kasem’s life took a tragic turn, entangled in a prolonged legal battle over…

Understanding the Great Wealth Transfer: Why Families Need to be Prepared

Understanding the Great Wealth Transfer: Why Families Need to be Prepared

Written by Robert T. Nickerson The largest transfer of wealth between generations in history is happening right now, and many families are not ready for it. According to Michael Pelzar, head of investments at Bank of America Private Bank, this lack of preparation could lead to significant challenges down the road. What Is the Great…

Maximizing Your Child’s Future: The Benefits of a CalABLE Account

Maximizing Your Child’s Future: The Benefits of a CalABLE Account

Written by Robert Nickerson With the many parents I meet with, I get asked a lot about their special needs child and their financial situation. They want to be able to provide funds without it risking their eligibility for disability (state or federal) or Medicaid. This also applies if their child (or any loved one…