Sometimes death has a way of bringing out the worst in families. The death of a parent and the subsequent efforts to settle the estate can renew old rivalries among siblings. Ask those who grew up in dysfunctional families, and they’ll tell you that just because they’re older doesn’t mean...
A daughter and sibling steps up to bear a heavy load Let’s step into Sharon’s shoes. She’s the sister of Andy, who is developmentally disabled. Their elderly parents now count on Sharon’s help for shopping, getting to doctor appointments and overseeing their financial affairs. Sharon lives the closest to their parents, so...
James and Virginia Null were always fair, dividing everything equally among their three daughters. They worked hard at avoiding any hint of favoritism—going so far as to buy three sets of everything—china, crystal and jewelry—so there would be one to pass on to each daughter. But that commitment to fairness took...
Many of the clients who come in to our offices are either creating or updating their Living Trusts. They’re often older, and if not retired, they’re thinking about it. As a result, we hear many concerns about healthcare, social security, disability insurance and hospice. Jane Bryant Quinn discusses timing of Social...
