We develop comprehensive plans that incorporate the legal, financial, and health care needs of our clients.
Learn how Alzheimer’s blood tests work, what Medicare covers, and why early medical and legal planning matters for South Carolina families.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Special Focus Facility (SFF) program and candidate list this week. Families should know what that list can — and cannot — tell them.
The SFF program identifies nursing homes with a history of serious, persistent quality problems. CMS also publishes a larger candidate list. A candidate is not yet an active Special Focus Facility, but the designation is still a reason to ask careful questions.
Before choosing care, look beyond a single rating. Review current inspection reports on Medicare Care Compare, visit more than once if possible, ask what has changed since the latest citations, utilize an Elder Care Coordinator as a boots-on-the-ground resource, speak with residents and families, and contact the long-term-care ombudsman. Because federal data can lag, confirm the most recent status.
Lisa Hostetler Brown, Founder of LawyerLisa, LLC shared that “A quality list should start a careful conversation, not end it. Families deserve current facts, clear answers, and a plan for what happens if care needs or conditions change.”
I spent some of my law school years living with my grandparents, studying at their kitchen table while they bickered lovingly about whose turn it was to make the coffee, a mundane experience that I now miss more than words can express.
Moving to South Carolina brings exciting new opportunities, but also important legal updates. From revising your estate plan to understanding state‑specific rules on property, healthcare decisions, and taxes, these seven must‑knows help new residents protect their families and plan confidently for the future.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, making tax provisions that were scheduled to expire at the conclusion of 2025 permanent under the law. The OBBBA directly impacts your tax situation, your retirement, funding and paying for education, and your estate planning. Here are a few important provisions that may benefit you and your family.
The holiday season brings us together with the people we love most. For many of us, it’s also the time when we begin to notice subtle—or sometimes not-so-subtle—changes in the health, habits, and needs of aging family members. As the Director of Care Coordination at LawyerLisa, I spend my professional life helping families navigate the aging continuum. And like many of you in caregiving roles, I can’t always turn that part of my brain off at home.
As we approach Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, it’s worth remembering that reviewing your Medicare coverage is more than just a health care task—it’s also an important part of your overall estate planning strategy.
Owning property in more than one state can be a wonderful way to diversify your lifestyle or investments. Maybe you enjoy summers in the mountains and winters at the beach, or perhaps you own a family cabin in another state in addition to your primary residence. While this can enhance your quality of life, it also complicates matters when it comes to estate planning — especially the probate process.
As of July 1, 2025, South Carolina residents have a new tool for estate planning—the ability to add a Transfer on Death (TOD) designation to their vehicle titles. This simple change can help families avoid probate and ensure a smoother transfer of ownership after death.
: In 2022, the world learned that actor Bruce Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that affects speech and language. A year later, his family shared that his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare brain disorder that impacts behavior, communication, and decision-making.
Willis’ diagnosis was heartbreaking—but it also serves as a powerful reminder that incapacity can strike anyone at any time. Planning for it isn’t just smart—it’s one of the most compassionate things you can do for your loved ones.
If you’ve decided to start your estate planning journey, congratulations—you’ve taken an important step toward protecting your future and your loved ones.
But as you begin the process, you might be surprised by how many questions your attorney asks. Why do they need to know so much? Isn’t a simple will enough?
If you’ve been thinking about retirement, helping aging parents, or planning for the next phase of life, now is the time to make sure your own affairs are in order. One of the most overlooked—but most critical—steps is creating or updating your estate planning documents.
It’s easy to put it off. Life is busy, and you may feel healthy and capable. But waiting to take action can carry real, lasting consequences for you and your family.
As an elder law attorney, one of the questions I often receive from clients planning for retirement or long-term care is about annuities—what they are, how they work, and whether they’re a good fit for their estate or Medicaid planning strategy.
What if the day comes when you or your spouse is no longer able to make decisions about your health, finances, or future? Whether due to illness, injury, or age, losing the ability to manage your affairs can happen unexpectedly. In estate planning, capacity is the key factor that determines whether you can create or update essential documents like a will or power of attorney. So, how do you know when it's too late to act, and what happens if you miss your chance? Let’s explore why planning ahead is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.
You may have seen commercials for companies offering software services to monitor your property’s title for a monthly fee. While the idea may sound appealing, it’s important to understand that deed theft is uncommon. The risk of someone stealing your property is low, and even if such a crime were attempted, it is not likely to hold up legally.
Talking about death, especially one’s own death, remains a topic that most people avoid thinking about or openly discussing. However, avoiding conversations about death and end-of-life care can lead to discomfort, confusion, and unfulfilled wishes in the long run.
When considering how to pass your assets on to the next generation or other beneficiaries, you have many options. One tool in your estate planning toolkit is the transfer-on-death account.
On January 2, 2025, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act was signed into law. The legislation represents a significant step forward in supporting the needs of veterans, their families, and their caregivers.
Winter can be an enjoyable time of the year, with holidays, time with family, and winter scenery. But it can bring challenges, especially for older adults. Keeping a home warm enough can be expensive, staying warm while outside is more difficult, and driving, and even walking can be more dangerous. Here are some ways older adults can stay safe and warm during the winter months.
As we age, maintaining a secure and stable future becomes increasingly important. However, the legal, financial, and healthcare landscapes are constantly evolving, and staying informed about these changes is essential for protecting your interests. Law changes, whether local, state, or federal, can impact everything from estate planning and taxes to healthcare options and eligibility. Here’s why it’s critical to stay current with these changes and how they may affect your planning.
