​In 1989, the average rent was a little more than $400 a month and you could buy a dozen eggs for less than a dollar.  That same year, Congress raised the amount of money that recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) could retain without losing their eligibility to $2,000.   While the cost of rent and eggs…

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 40% of people age 55 and over were working or looking for work in 2014.  The labor force participation rate for seniors is expected to increase to around 164 million individuals by 2024.  In 2016, over 42% of workers age 55 and over were in management, professional, and…

Some seniors simply want to downsize.  They either can’t afford to live in a large home, or they don’t want the maintenance and upkeep.  Or, they would like to move closer to family.  In addition, as the multitude of Baby Boomers continue to age, there are oftentimes a shortage of traditional living facilities and care…

Technological innovations designed to help seniors live longer, more fulfilling lives are starting to catch on—everything from companion robots to smart devices that can help monitor, alert, track and support our growing senior community, whether they are living in smart senior communities or in their own homes.It is important for elder law attorneys and elder…

Written by Robert Nickerson “Why is this happening to me!? It isn’t fair! Where’s my moment?” If you’re a parent, you’ve probably been asked this by your child, especially if they have a sibling that received a little more attention. You might overhear from another parents that in order to be fair, you also had…

Written by Robert T. Nickerson Todays the day! You’ve signed your last signature and your lawyer has sent you home with your estate plan. So what to do with them? A lot of lawyers (including Jeffrey Nickerson) will hold your original documents at the office in locked, safe cabinets that clients can have access to anytime….

Written by Robert T. Nickerson Estate planning doesn’t just affect the people you want to address like your family; it can affect the family for generations in the long run. A good example of this is from the founding father and first president, George Washington. According to his will and last testament of 1799, George…

Written by Robert Nickerson Estate Planning becomes a greater challenge when a loved one like a spouse or an offspring has a chronic illness like Parkinson’s, senile dementia or multiple sclerosis.  Chronic Illness is Not a Rare Situation If we were to look at the numbers, there are over a 120 million Americans that suffer with a…

​This article examines the unique planning requirements of families with children, grandchildren or other family members (such as parents) with special needs. There are numerous misconceptions in this area that can result in costly mistakes when planning for special needs beneficiaries.  Understanding the pitfalls associated with special needs planning is a must for all of us who…