This Week is “Celebrate Life Week”- Celebrate Your Life and Plan for Your Future

The first week of January is usually a busy week for everyone. We set personal goals, get excited about the promises of a new year, and often just take time to catch up after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. In addition to being the start of a new year, this week is “Celebrate Life Week.”

“Celebrate Life Week” is about promoting positive health and well-being. This week and in the new year, people are encouraged to take proactive steps to focus on themselves, their health, and celebrating their lives and the lives of those they care about.

Peace of mind is a big component of eliminating stress and fully celebrating life. One of their first steps to gaining peace of mind is planning for the protections you want in your future.  To do so, consult a Certified Elder Law Attorney, such as Evan Farr at the Fairfax Elder Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C.  for your estate planning and elder law needs.  With positive attitudes and proper planning, you can continue to look forward to your future, and for opportunities to celebrate and enrich your own life and the lives of others.

P.S. At the Fairfax Elder Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C., we celebrate our clients and friends with monthly educational awareness events, featuring delicious refreshments. Click here for the complete calendar of events and be sure to RSVP for our next event focusing on Senior Financial Wellness on January 14, from 6-7:30 pm.

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The “Fiscal Cliff”- If No Agreement is Made, What Does it Mean for Seniors?

As lawmakers left the Capitol for Christmas break, efforts to thwart the year-end “Fiscal Cliff” were in disarray.  If negotiations between Obama and Congress collapse completely, 2013 looks like a rocky year for seniors and all Americans. The following could happen:

• Taxes would jump $2,400 on average for families with incomes of $50,000 to $75,000.  Because consumers would get less of their paychecks to spend, businesses and jobs would suffer.
• Americans would feel cuts in government services.  Note: A few areas, such as Social Security benefits, Veterans Affairs and some programs for the poor, are exempt.
• Social Security recipients might see their checks grow more slowly.  Obama and Republican leaders want to change how the cost-of-living adjustments are calculated.  This would mean smaller checks over the years for retirees who get Social Security, veterans' benefits or government pensions.

If Washington bypassed the “Fiscal Cliff,” the next crisis would be when the government reaches a $16.4 trillion ceiling on the amount of money it can borrow. This could happen as early as February or March 2013.  Time for deal-making is short, with less than a week to vote on a compromise before year's end.  Read the Huffington Post article for more details.

With the Fiscal Cliff looming, change can affect laws and regulations affecting seniors.  We here at the Fairfax Elder Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C are here to help you plan for the protections you want.  Please call us at 703-691-1888 to learn more about how we can help you plan for your future.

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Get a Jump on Those Financial New Year's Resolutions You'll Be Making!

Happy New Year!  January is Financial Wellness Month.  It comes at a great time, since many seniors resolve to save money in the coming year.  What better way to start the year than by evaluating your Financial Wellness and learning tips to protect the money you have spent most of your life earning and saving.  Join us for an event focused on Senior Financial Wellness on January 14 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. and enjoy some fun refreshments.

At our Senior Financial Wellness event, we will discuss: preparing for the unexpected (including ensuring you have a proper power of attorney & living trust in place); ways to protect your life savings from creditor attack and to avoid falling victim to fraud; and ways to plan, track and manage your money, both now and in the future.

This event, hosted by The Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C. is for clients and their friends who would like to learn more about Senior Financial Wellness.  Join us for this informative session on January 14 and enjoy fun refreshments while learning how to get a jump on some of those financial New Year's resolutions you'll be making!!

 Click to RSVP for this event or call 703-691-1888.

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Part 2: Upcoming Changes in the DSM-5 Spark Major Controversies

Yesterday, we reported about the changes to the criteria and categories of Autism Spectrum Disorders that are planned for the DSM-5.

 

Other changes in the DSM-5 include:

•    A new diagnosis for severe recurrent temper tantrums – Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD). Some critics say this new diagnosis will cause some children who have normal temper tantrums to be labeled with this new mental disorder. Those supporting the new diagnosis say it will address concerns about too many children being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and then treated with unnecessary psychiatric drugs. Bipolar disorder involves sharp mood swings and children with this disorder are often very irritable and have explosive tantrums.  Do you have a family member with DMDD or another mental disorder?  Read more about our Special Needs Planning and how we can help you.
•    Eliminating the term "gender identity disorder." This term has been used for those who strongly believe that their bodies were born of the wrong gender. Those supporting the change feel the condition isn't a disorder and say calling it a disorder is stigmatizing. The term will be replaced with "gender dysphoria," which means emotional distress over one's gender. Supporters say the change is similar to removing homosexuality as a mental illness in the DSM, which was done decades ago. We here at The Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C. have strategies in place to help LGBT elders and their family members. Visit our website at http://www.lgbtelderlaw.com to find out more.  In addition, please refer to our recent LGBT Article for information about how we can help LGBT couples. 
 
Make it your New Year’s resolution to learn how the Fairfax Elder Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C. can help your family prepare for whatever the future has in store.  Make an appointment for a free consultation at 703-691-1888.