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Let us handle the hard stuff. ELDER LAW • ESTATE PLANNING • WILLS & TRUSTS • GUARDIANSHIP & PROBATE LITIGATION

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Ben Neiburger Founder, Generation Law

June 2018 Planning for Alzheimer's We like to think that nothing bad – like Alzheimer’s – will ever happen to us. But one in 10 Americans over the age of 65 has the disease. With Alzheimer’s and other dementias affecting 44 million people worldwide, it’s hard to shrug off as something that could never happen to your clients. Since June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, this month’s issue of “The Elder Law Minute” shares the steps you can help your clients take to prevent a heartbreaking diagnosis from becoming far more challenging. With our experience in creating estate plans with contingency plans and helping people choose their guardians should the need arise, we can help your clients prepare if the worst occurs. Contact us anytime for help.

JUNE'S NEWS TO KNOW

How Much Will Alzheimer's Cost You? An Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis is a long, difficult road to travel. Without a cure, there’s little you and your caregivers can do but buckle up for the ride. The greatest toll to be paid on that road is the emotional one, but the financial costs take a toll, too.  READ MORE Choosing the Guardian of Your Galaxy A few weeks ago, HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” featured a segment about guardianship. True to form, the segment was rich with jokes and insight into the many ways court-appointed guardians can harm innocent people. The main takeaway? The importance of choosing someone you trust to help take care of you and your assets if illness or disability makes you mentally unable to do so yourself.  READ MORE

Firm Updates With June being Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has been busy hosting events throughout the state, including many around Chicago, to inform and empower all of us. The next event is Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors on Saturday, June 30, at the Blackstone Library in Chicago. The association’s website offers plenty of helpful information, such as its “10 Ways to Love Your Brain.”   Even as June comes to an end, being aware of the risks of Alzheimer’s and other dementias and the care options available should not be brushed aside. The resources available to you are plentiful and within reach all year long. That also goes for the resources we offer at Generation Law. Call us anytime to discuss how we can help you plan around an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Estate Woes for Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin may not have taken that first giant leap for mankind, but the second man to walk on the moon is taking steps to sue his children for elder exploitation. The complaint states that the 88-year-old former astronaut’s children have mismanaged his finances. The kids are claiming that their dad is in “cognitive decline” and are asking the court assign them as co-guardians of his estate, while Aldrin himself denies the accusation and seeks to regain control of his assets.

Richard Shotwell Invision/AP

This Aldrin situation is a perfect example of how even the most brilliant among us can eventually face memory issues, and how issues of power of attorney and guardianship can quickly become complicated and can lead to expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining litigation. Unfortunately, situations like this are hard to predict or prevent from happening, but it’s an area where our attorneys can help should you find yourself among a fighting family.

Where in the World Is Ben? Our founder and fearless leader, Ben Neiburger, crossed the finish line of the Ironman 70.3 Wisconsin earlier this month. With the Patagonman XTRI extreme triathlon in Patagonia just six months away, Ben is using each race as a training stepping stone. Swimming is where his strength lies, but he never slacks when biking or running in his Generation Law-branded tri suit. Follow along with Ben (who is turning 50 soon) on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn as he continues his training, pushing harder with each race in preparation for the big one in December.

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This email newsletter does not create an attorney-client relationship. It does not contain legal advice for you or anyone else (so don’t act on anything we say unless you speak with an attorney first). It does contain facts and stories we think you might be interested in. We tried to keep this short because we really like you.