Idaho Estate Planning

New Idaho Autism Numbers From CDC Shine Light on Need For Special Needs Trusts

The CDC has released new information on the prevelance of Autism in America. The article on Forbes website discusses the new numbers and how they were arrived at. You can read it here.

A Special Needs Trust can bring peace of mind to the parents of a child struggling with Autism or many other special needs. You can read an earlier blog on the subject here.

At Idaho Estate Planning, we can help you find the resources you need to put a plan together. We have the experience and expertise to help you maintain your options and protect yourself as well as your loved ones now and into the future. Remember, good planning is no accident.

You may also want to check out this video on the subject.

  

Generation Gap Can Affect Idaho Family Foundations

Ensuring continuity of both your family harmony and your family business is as much an art as it is a science. Such is the case with family foundations.

For a family with means, and perhaps also as a model for a family with fewer resources, a family foundation may offer just a unifying bond.

A family foundation represents a way of doing good as a family and even making those foundation goals the goals of the family itself. This kind of unifying goal was explored by CNBC in an article titled “Family Foundations Prepare for the Next Generation.”

If you are the family member who established the family foundation, the goal should expressly be to include and to establish a succession for your family foundation. In point of fact, a family foundation is like a family business and shares many of the same concerns, anxieties, and goals.

Now, even a family of modest means can see the value in the family foundation model. If for no other reason, your family foundation can be a means of doing good as a family and letting everyone in the family work together to accomplish that good end. 

At Idaho Estate Planning we are the experts you need to know and trust. Work with us and we'll put together a plan that works for you and your loved ones. Remember, good planning is no accident.

While in Boise Check On Your Idaho Elders This Holiday Season

The turkey is practically in the oven and whether you’re waiting in the airport or preparing the guestroom, everyone is getting ready for the first family event of the Holidays. When it comes to meeting our elderly loved ones, however, it’s also important to remember to observe and ensure that they are fully supporting themselves

It’s an unfortunate burden of thought during the holidays, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an important one to bear in mind: as written by the Wall Street Journal not too long ago, you’ve got to ask, is it “Time for Elder Care?”  And then there’s the other half of it: you’ve got to observe, understand, and react in such a way as to truly help the situation. It’s easy to over-react when the well-being of your loved ones is at stake.

Take the opportunity this holiday season to assess their needs and then, if something is amiss, work to find specific solutions. Your loved ones might not need full-time care, but perhaps a housekeeper or even gift cards for a few restaurant meals might help. If additional assistance is needed, assess the situation and look for the most appropriate benefits – local, state, veteran, or specific group benefits are important first steps – and be careful in your timing.

For more to think about, the original article is worth a read through. And as every year, be sure to fully enjoy your time with them and make the best of the holidays!

At Idaho Estate Planning, we understand the challenges faced by elder Americans. We have the experience and expertise to help you maintain your options and protect yourself as well as your loved ones now and into the future.Call us today or contact us through our website. Remember, good planning is no accident.

Planning and Caring for Those with Special Needs

Have you heard that the best defense is a strong offense? So it is with making long-term plans for family members with special needs. In the end, such family members will be okay and you will have peace of mind.

Unfortunately, few parents of children with special needs fully appreciate what is at stake and how to protect it. To make matters worse, too few professional financial planners are versed on the need to provide a long-term solution for such children, especially with shrinking public assistance benefits.

The New York Times recently provided a mini-primer of sorts on the subject titled “Assuring Care of a Family Member With Special Needs.” While proper planning will vary from one family to another, given different needs, there are many tools to employ ranging from special needs trusts to life insurance. The key is to know which ones to use.

As the article notes, special needs planning is only going to grow in importance as funds available for public assistance programs –  Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, etc. – become more restricted and uncertain. 

We've said it before, proper planning starts with a thorough understanding of your needs, goals, dreams and aspirations. It takes into account your Values not just your Valuables. It starts with a thorough understanding of your family – those who you care about and who will someday receive the benefits of your success – and your family's dynamics. Let's work together to implement an estate plan that works for you. Remember, good planning is no accident.