Communities are where things happen. Our goal is to bring people together so they can discuss issues that matter to them. We believe our community is more likely to thrive when people share ideas, experience and wisdom. We also know that caregiving is hard work. Caregivers are often burdning the candle at both ends and in the middle. Knowing that makes us mindful of a scene from The West Wing, Season 2, Episode 10. There, the character Leo McGarry tells Josh Lyman:
“This guy’s walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can’t get out.
“A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, ‘Hey you. Can you help me out?’ The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on.
“Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, ‘Father, I’m down in this hole can you help me out?’ The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on
“Then a friend walks by, ‘Hey, Joe, it’s me can you help me out?’ And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, ‘Are you stupid? Now we’re both down here.’ The friend says, ‘Yeah, but I’ve been down here before and I know the way out.’
At some time or another, all of us have been in a hole. We want to be the guy you jumps into the hole and shows you the way out. That’s our goal at EZ Elder Law. We plan to do that by bringing you resources. We plan to bring you forums where caregivers can ask each other questions and share experiences. We hope to build a virtual caring closet where people can share stories, helpful hints, unused caregiving supplies and unwanted medical equipment. Among the pages we intend to bring is one with recipes of old-time dishes (to bring back memories) and easy to fix dishes (for caregivers on the go). We’re just getting started, so hang on!
BLOG POSTS
Social Security Announces 2.5 Percent Benefit Increase for 2025
On October 10, 2024, the Social Security Administration announced that Americans will increase a 2.5 percent cost of living increase in 2025. A fact sheet linked to the preset release shows that the monthly SSI rate for an individual will increase from $943 to $967. This COLA means the following (estimates) should apply beginning January […]
Getting Organized
Many people think that estate planning is just having documents prepared. They have a lawyer prepare a Will, get it signed and they’re done. As Lee Corso says on Game Day, “Not so fast!” The hardest part of stepping into someone else’s shoes, whether its as an agent under a power of attorney, or as […]
Market Observations from David Hultstrom
From time to time we re-post David Hultstrom‘s Financial Foundations. Mr. Hultstrom, who is a co-founder of Financial Architects, had the following observations regarding recent stock market highs: As the U.S. stock market (as measured by the S&P 500) hits all-time highs, I thought some historical perspective on it might be useful. Over the 98 […]
Privacy Laws
There are a number of laws protecting your privacy and the privacy of your information. This page describes several of them, but it is not meant to be comprehensive. If you have specific questions regarding privacy laws, you should consult with an attorney. Georgia does not have any specific “state” privacy laws. Still, in Georgia, […]
Service Animals and the ADA
Service animals used by individuals with a disability can only be excluded from public places if they cannot be controlled by their handler or if they are not house broken. See Title II, Section 35.136. Usually service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless the individual’s disability prevents using those devices or unless it […]
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: The Basics
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), a comprehensive civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. The law was amended on September 25, 2008, when President George W.Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA […]
Proposed Legislation would turn estate planning on its head
The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2021 (now “of 2024”) may have taken on new life recently as Kamala Harris promised, if elected, to make housing affordable. That promise has to be funded somehow and the “how” of it seems to be rolling back the estate and gift tax exclusion amounts significantly. At […]
Protecting your private Information
Review Account Statements and Notify Law Enforcement of Suspicious Activity As a precautionary measure, remain vigilant by reviewing all of your account statements and credit reports at least monthly. If you notice any suspicious activity, you should promptly notify the financial institution or company with which the account is maintained. You also should promptly report […]
IRS publishes regulations relating to required minimum distributions from qualified plans
On July 19, 2024, the IRS published final regulations regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs) from qualified plans. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are the minimum amounts you must withdraw from your retirement accounts each year. You generally must start taking withdrawals from your traditional IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and retirement plan accounts when you reach […]
Award of Custody to Grandparent Overturned
Award of Custody to Grandparent Overturned In Geiger v. Allmond, 371 Ga. App. 641 (May 23, 2024), the Court of Appeals reversed a trial court decision awarding custody of two minor children to their paternal grandmother. Several cases were consolidated on appeal. Ashely Geiger, the mother, appealed the award of custody to Patti Allmond, the […]
