Close

January 2024 - A New Year, A Fresh Start

January is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. A lot of us spend this month taking inventory of our lives and making future plans, so it’s the perfect time for getting your important financial and legal documents in order. A lack of preparation can quickly derail even the best laid plans.

  1. Review your insurance policies—home, car, health, life. Make sure you have sufficient protection in case of a disaster. Check that premiums are up-to-date, and any beneficiaries named are still relevant.
  2. Write a will or update an existing one. Do you still need a guardian for your children? A trust fund? Make sure the terms of your will accurately reflect your current situation.
  3. Create an estate plan. This provides your family with guidance for handling your finances and healthcare should you become incapacitated. Inclxude and update all relevant advanced directives, health proxies and powers of attorney. A verbal agreement between you and a friend or family member won’t stand up when you can no longer speak for yourself.

Once your financial house is in order, it may be time to have “the talk” with your parents. Mentioning that you just went through this process yourself could be the icebreaker you need to broach this delicate topic.

  1. Time it carefully. Choose a quiet time when they’re relaxed, not stressed.
  2. Be prepared and stay focused. Address topics like living arrangements, finances, healthcare, estate planning.
  3. Make it about them, not about you. Explain that you need to know their wishes if you are to carry them out.
  4. Listen more, talk less. Hear how they want to spend their golden years, what makes them happy, then discuss how to make that happen.
  5. Don’t judge. Express your concerns or worries constructively. Offer options.
  6. Follow up. This isn’t a one-and-done conversation. Allow time to digest what was discussed and to consider compromises when warranted.

It’s a difficult conversation, but one that will benefit all involved.

We wish you a happy, healthy New Year!



Practice Areas
What Our Clients are Saying
★★★★★

I was very proud to be represented by Tony and felt secure at a time I needed a compass to head out of a difficult bind. Confidence in your counsel and a sense of security in understanding how best to proceed are important reasons to consider Anthony Kearns and his team of outstanding lawyers.

- Lynn
★★★★★

Tony was excellent! He was knowledgeable, responsive and on-time. His experience as a County Prosecutor definitely helped our case as he knows how the legal system works and how to navigate. I highly recommend Tony and his office.

- Matt
★★★★★

Thankfully I found Kearns Rotolo Law and I had a wonderful experience working with Charles Rifici on a difficult divorce/child custody issue. I am so grateful for all the work and guidance he provided. He always took his time and diligently went through all my options with me so I could make the decisions that benefitted my family and I. I will be forever thankful for the top notch services he provided.

- Cinthya
★★★★★

In March of 2022 I contacted Kearns Rotolo Law Firm with an urgent problem, Mr. Kearns and Mr. Rotolo contacted me immediately to give me hope as to rectify my problem. The end result was Mr Kearns was able to solve my issue through extreme professionalism, I am very grateful I found Kearns Rotolo Law firm and I would recommend their law firm to anyone that has a less extreme problem or a more complex problem, I am very grateful for their services.

- Bill
★★★★★

I met with Mr. Kearns yesterday about a devastating situation affecting our family. Mr. Kearns and his entire staff made us feel extremely comfortable and showed our family a compassionate side that gave us comfort in the most uncomfortable of situations. Thank you very much. God Bless.

- Christian
Contact Us