Friday, July 20, 2012

“2013 Veteran COLA Passes House”


Week of July 16, 2012

The House of Representatives passed the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012 (H.R. 4114). 


Although this is seen by many as a formality, passing the COLA is often pushed to the end of the year. According to House Committee on Veterans' Affairs press release, taking care of this now ensures that Vets will be given the benefits they were promised without any last minute "political tug-of-war." If signed into law, H.R. 4114 would increase the annual cost-of-living rate for veterans, which goes into effect on December 1, 2012. It is estimated that this year's COLA will be approximately 1.9 percent. The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.

For complete guides to all veterans benefits, visit the Military.com Benefits Center.
 
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 The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. are ElderLaw attorneys in Rhode Island who specialize in wills and trusts, estate planning, guardianship, probate, and Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits.

They also are Newport Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers, Attorneys, Mediators, and Arbitrators providing services for family law issues such as divorce, child custody and visitation, support, and military family law. 

Call them today at 401-841-5700 or visit them on the web at http://www.CounselFirst.com.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

“Part 2. When your loved one changes...coping with Alzheimer's Disease”

Coping With Alzheimer's Disease


It's important to remember that the disease, not the person with Alzheimer's Disease, causes these changes.

Part. 2 Changes in personality and behavior


Because Alzheilmer's Disease causes brain cells to die, the brain works less well over time. This changes how a person acts. You will notice that he or she will have good days and bad days.

Here are some common personality changes you may see:

  • Getting upset, worried, and angry more easily
  • Acting depressed or not interested in things
  • Hiding things or believing other people are hiding things
  • Imagining things that aren't there
  • Wandering away from home
  • Pacing a lot of the time
  • Showing unusual sexual behavior
  • Hitting you or other people
  • Misunderstanding what he or she sees or hears
Also, you may notice that the person stops caring about how he or she looks, stops bathing, and wants to wear the same clothes every day.

Other factors that may affect how people with Alzheimer's Disease behave

In addition to changes in the brain, the following things may affect how people with Alzheilmer's Disease behave.
How they feel:
  • Sadness, fear, or a feeling of being overwhelmed
  • Stress caused by something or someone
  • Confusion after a change in routine, including travel
  • Anxiety about going to a certain place

Health-related problems:

  • Illness or pain
  • New medications
  • Lack of sleep
  • Infections, constipation, hunger, or thirst
  • Poor eyesight or hearing
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Too much caffeine

Problems in their surroundings:

  • Being in a place he or she doesn't know well.
  • Too much noise, such as TV, radio, or many people talking at once. Noise can cause confusion or frustration.
  • Stepping from one type of flooring to another. The change in texture or the way the floor looks may make the person think he or she needs to take a step down.
  • Misunderstanding signs.
    • Some signs may cause confusion. For example, one person with Alzheimer's Disease thought a sign reading "wet floor" meant he should urinate on the floor.
  • Mirrors.
    • Someone with Alzheilmer's Disease may think that a mirror image is another person in the room.
How to cope with personality and behavior changes

Read more HERE


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 The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. are ElderLaw attorneys in Rhode Island who specialize in wills and trusts, estate planning, guardianship, probate, and Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits.

They also are Newport Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers, Attorneys, Mediators, and Arbitrators providing services for family law issues such as divorce, child custody and visitation, support, and military family law. 

Call them today at 401-841-5700 or visit them on the web at http://www.CounselFirst.com.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Settlement Reached in Dispute over Astor Estate

Astor Estate Settlement

A settlement has been reached in the dispute over the estate of legendary New York socialite and philanthropist Brooke Astor. The settlement gives $100 million to charity and cuts in half the amount going to her son, who was convicted of stealing from her.

The Westchester County Surrogate's Court approved the settlement, which ends a civil case between Astor's descendants and the charities she supported in her will. The case centered on whether Astor's assets should be distributed according to her most recent will, executed in 2002, or an earlier version, which gave more money to charity.

While the dispute was pending, Astor's son, Anthony Marshall, 85, was convicted of stealing from Astor as her capacity to make decisions deteriorated due to Alzheimer's disease. Astor died in 2007 at age 105.

A New York City jury found Marshall guilty on 14 of the 16 counts against him, including persuading his mother to make changes to her will that greatly benefited him, and abusing his power of attorney by giving himself a $1 million retroactive raise. Marshall is currently out on bail and has appealed his conviction.
 
The settlement is based on Astor's 2002 will, but several later codicils that would have given more money to Marshall and less to charity were ignored.

The principal charities that are benefited are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and New York City's public schools.

Under the settlement, Marshall will receive $14.5 million.


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The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. are ElderLaw attorneys in Rhode Island who specialize in wills and trusts, estate planning, guardianship, probate, and Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits.

They also are Newport Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers, Attorneys, Mediators, and Arbitrators providing services for family law issues such as divorce, child custody and visitation, support, and military family law. 

Call them today at 401-841-5700 or visit them on the web at http://www.CounselFirst.com.