When you work on creating your will, you will have one very important decision to make: who will serve as your estate’s executor. An estate executor has many responsibilities, including settling any of your estate’s debts, finding your assets and distributing them, filing for probate and paying any final bills and taxes.
Planning for the future after a dementia diagnosis
Dementia is a progressive syndrome that causes the gradual loss of thinking, memory and reasoning abilities. When a person enters the later stages of dementia, they might lose the ability to move around on their own, speak or make themselves understood and require help with most, if not all, daily activities. Alzheimer’s most commonly causes dementia, but can also be the result of a stroke, head injury or brain tumor.
As the cognitive deficits of dementia progress, those with dementia often become unable to make some decisions for themselves. The person may get to the point where they do not have the mental capacity to make important legal, financial and health-related decisions. If a person living with dementia has a level of judgment understand the meaning and importance of a legal document, they have the legal capacity to execute legal documents
Guardianship comes with numerous caregiving responsibilities
Noticing an older loved one having trouble caring for him or herself can be difficult for New York residents and those elsewhere. Some adult children may notice that their parent is having trouble remembering certain things or has not been paying bills or handling other matters as necessary. In some cases, the issues could reach a point where an adult child needs to seek guardianship over a parent.
Becoming a guardian is not a simple task by any means. Often, individuals in this role need to handle care for an ailing loved one or one who is experiencing mental decline. This responsibility can take its toll on a family caregiver because it takes a great deal of time and effort to ensure a loved one is not suffering any ill effects due to not being able to care for him or herself.
Scaffolding accidents often lead to injuries
Construction workers often utilize many types of equipment to get the job done. In some cases, they may use scaffolding to work at height on the exterior of buildings or other structures. Unfortunately, scaffolding accidents are not uncommon, and when they occur, serious injuries typically follow.
It was recently reported that four construction workers in New York were injured in such an event. Apparently, the crew was performing construction-related activities at a tower when a scaffolding gave way. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. When the scaffolding collapsed, two of the workers fell from the 18th floor to the floor below. It was unclear what happened with the other two workers who were injured or how many other workers may have been on-site at the time.
4 Things to consider when choosing a guardian for your child
It can be difficult to drag yourself away from life’s busy moments to start estate planning. But planning for your family’s future is crucial, especially when you’re a parent of young children. While many people think that estate planning is reserved for older couples or individuals, drafting a will as soon as possible can help bring your family financial security and peace of mind.
Choosing a guardian for your child is one step that you should include in the estate planning process. These four factors can help you make this important decision.
Construction workers injured, killed after wall collapse
Many people do not know for certain how they would react if they are faced with a serious event. Unfortunately, in many cases, individuals involved in work-related accidents do not even have time to react or try to protect themselves because the incidents occur so suddenly. In particular, construction workers are at risk of serious injuries from such events.
It was recently reported that a construction accident in New York killed one worker and injured another. Apparently, the individuals were carrying out work-related duties at a landmarked building when a wall partially collapsed around 10 a.m. At least two workers were trapped under the debris, and one was knocked unconscious during the incident. Emergency crews came to the scene and were able to get the workers out of the rubble.
Severe injuries often present need for workers' compensation
Most people do not anticipate suffering serious injuries. Unfortunately, severe harm can come seemingly out of nowhere, especially when a sudden accident takes place. It is not unusual for injury-causing incidents to occur for individuals who work with dangerous equipment while on the job. When this happens, individuals often need financial assistance from workers' compensation.
New York readers may be interested in an out-of-state accident that caused severe injuries to one worker. Apparently, the man had been utilizing some kind of saw while carrying out his duties on a construction site. The saw kicked back, and as a result, the blade hit the man in the chest, neck and jaw, causing a severe laceration from his sternum to his jaw.
Does a will need to be updated?
It's a common misconception that after someone makes a will, they no longer need to put any further thought into it. The truth is, there are many reasons a will may need updating after its initial creation. If there is a tragic accident and your will comes into play, you want to make sure it reflects your most accurate wishes.
Temp workers face many safety issues
The job market in America is in recovery. Even so, there are many New Yorkers unable to find full-time employment or who are between jobs. When this happens, they may consider temporary work to make a living while they wait for something better to come along. A lot of these workers end up in blue-collar work environments with heavy machinery, great heights and overall high risk for injury.
According to MarketWatch, temp workers now end up at desk jobs less and less often. For instance, in Pennsylvania, just 21% of temp workers are employed in an office. In contrast, 45% of workers end up working jobs in manufacturing and transportation. They also receive lower pay than most other workers.
Estate planning tips for new parents
Having a child changes everything in your life and brings new responsibilities to care not only for their everyday needs but their long-term physical and financial well-being. Parents make plans for their child’s education and upbringing, but one of the most important steps is creating an estate plan to care for their children if they are not around.
Estate planning is not usually at the top of a parent’s list, especially in young families. Making a will or setting up a trust is often thought of as something you do later in life once your family is grown and you are preparing for retirement.
