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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren – Legal Options and Financial Support

September 27, 2011 by Kristina

With the decline of the traditional nuclear family, individuals over 50 are increasingly vested with responsibility for the caretaking of young children and adolescents. Financial problems are the primary cause of seniors having to assume more “traditional” child-rearing duties. Whether due to a divorce, military service, substance abuse, mental illness or other secondary issues, some adults may be unable or simply unwilling to be good parents themselves. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Family, Guardianship, Uncategorized Tagged With: caregiver authorization, caregivers, child, elder, estate plan, Family, Massachusetts, seniors

Hoarding: How to Help a Loved One Declutter

September 2, 2010 by Kristina

The issue of hoarding has recently gathered a great deal of attention, particularly due to news reports and popular television shows.  However, hoarding is not a new or a small problem. The problem of hoarding has been documented since the turn of the century and is thought to significantly affect nearly 15 million Americans, many of them elderly. A great article recently appeared in the Boston Herald dealing with the clinical aspects of Hoarding.  Unfortunately, research has been lacking in this area – until now. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Elder Needs, Family, Guardianship, Housecalls, Uncategorized Tagged With: attorney, child, elder, elders, Family, home bound, Massachusetts, seniors, worcester, worcester county

Astor Matter Reminds Us that Trustworthiness is Essential When Nominating Substitute Decision Makers

October 22, 2009 by Kristina

Lately, the matter of Brooke Astor’s estate has been covered in the media. Like many people she had an estate plan in place which included a Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy, which nominated subsituted decision makers in the event she would lose the capacity to make important financial and/or medical decisions at some point during her elder years. She did not want to burden her family with obtaining a Guardianship and/or Conservatorship through the courts. She did end up suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and her son took over her financial powers. He just didn’t do a very good job… [Read more…]

Filed Under: Conservatorship, Durable Power of Attorney, Elder Needs, Estate Plan Review, Family, Guardianship, Health Care Proxy, Uncategorized Tagged With: caregivers, celebrity estates, child, Durable Power of Attorney, elder, elder abuse, elder law, elder law attorney, estate plan, estate planning, Family, Health Care Proxy, Massachusetts, Probate Court, seniors

Senior Centers: The Importance of Elders Staying Active & Social

October 14, 2009 by Kristina

I’ve been trying to come up with a new slogan for area senior centers. So far I’ve come up with Senior Centers: come for the free food, stay for the crafts! or Senior Centers: It’s WAY more than BINGO!

But seriously, senior centers offer independence for aging adults. They play a very important role in the lives of elders today by encouraging them to become and remain social. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Elder Needs, Family, Uncategorized Tagged With: Add new tag, caregivers, child, elder, elder law attorney, Family, prevention, seniors, spouse, worcester, worcester county

Elder Mediation: A Great Option to Diffuse Family Tensions When Planning for Elder Care

October 1, 2009 by Kristina

Can’t we all just get along?  

I see it more and more and it really saddens me: families unable to “get along” when it comes to decision making for elder loved ones. It can be as simple as whether Mom and/or Dad need to meet with an Elder Law Attorney, to concerns over finances and inheritance issues, to whether siblings agree on who should serve as primary caregiver, and/or to whether assisted living/nursing home care is necessary. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Elder Needs, Family, Guardianship, Housecalls, Mediation, Uncategorized Tagged With: attorney, caregivers, child, elder, elder law, elder law attorney, elder mediation, Family, family disagreements, feuds, home bound, Massachusetts, Mediation, preparedness, prevention, seniors, worcester, worcester county

Major Life Events Provide an Opportunity for your Estate Plan Review

June 22, 2009 by Kristina

Last night I spoke at the Lutheran Health Care Center in Worcester. One attendee asked, “How often should I review my current estate plan?” It is very important to review your family’s financial and estate plan at least every 3-5 years. The general rule is that the older you are, the more frequent your reviews should be. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Elder Needs, Estate Plan Review, Family Tagged With: birth, charity, child, death, divorce, estate plan, Family, gifts, grandchild, Lutheran, major life events, Massachusetts, review, spouse

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Vickstrom Law


Vickstrom Law, PC
Kristina R. Vickstrom, Esq.
255 Park Avenue, Suite 507
Worcester, MA 01609
508.757.3800


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