Following the Dayton Massacre (nine dead, twenty-seven injured in less than a minute), a number of laws were introduced to help curb gun violence. House Bill No. 240 was among these.
Safe Storage Law – Dead on Arrival
First Year of Assisted Living Costs – Columbus, Ohio
It is the beginning of 2020 and I'm looking over the financials. My household, the firm finances, and Mom's finances - I guess it is just that time of year. One of the biggest safeguards against self-dealing, or a fiduciary misappropriating funds, is the disclosure of information - particularly to beneficiaries. This is the reasoning … Continue reading First Year of Assisted Living Costs – Columbus, Ohio
A series of spectacular failures.
In the Spring, I cut a piece of plywood into about 400 pieces. For some reason or another, the visual, when plywood is turned on its side, is appealing to me. I layed the pieces out into a herringbone pattern and glued everything up. It took... forever. Here is the top after sanding, filling voids, … Continue reading A series of spectacular failures.
The Joker – Powerful Depiction of Living with Mentally Ill Parent
I went and saw The Joker this weekend in theaters. I was aware of the reviews. It wasn't a film that I had planned to see, nor is it one I would watch again. It lacked a "feel good" moment. There is no hero, and frankly, it is sad. In spite of this, the movie … Continue reading The Joker – Powerful Depiction of Living with Mentally Ill Parent
Taking apart the dialogue of the gun debate.
In the wake of each of these tragedies, it has become a predictable play. It isn't even nuanced anymore, and it sure isn't interesting. Here is the recap - tell me I'm wrong. One side says, "WE NEED REFORM!" The other side says, "IT ISN'T THE GUNS' FAULT, IT IS THE CRAZY PEOPLE!" Then someone … Continue reading Taking apart the dialogue of the gun debate.
Meaningful Changes – Gun Control
Another weekend passes and our country has had two more mass shootings. After each of these, I sit down and write Senator Robert Portman, to say, hey, we have a problem, what are we doing? This time, one of the shootings was in Ohio. I think I have had a single response - and it … Continue reading Meaningful Changes – Gun Control
Working with Siblings
My sisters and I have undertaken the cleanup of my mom's house. Increasingly, it is clear that it is not a good environment for her. Regardless of if Mom stays in a facility with a nursing staff or we move Mom into a condominium or an apartment, keeping her in a three bedroom, two and … Continue reading Working with Siblings
Educational Resources – Mental Health
There is a lot of information out there on mental health, but so little of it seems to be talking to the person who is living the experience as the caregiver. I want to learn from someone who has situational empathy for what I'm experiencing, not a list of symptoms, but someone who knows what … Continue reading Educational Resources – Mental Health
Lawmakers want to preserve your choice – paper or plastic?
So, the proponents of the bill are going to have to argue, your choice of paper or plastic is a matter of state-wide concern. Not a case I'd want to make.
If I Could Talk to Me, 15 years ago… Lessons Learned From Caring for a Mom with Bi-Polar Disorder
My sisters have been in town helping me clean-out my mom's house. She never threw anything away, so she has three houses worth of stuff under her roof. It is ridiculous. During our time together, my sisters and I were kind of reminiscing over the journey with mom, childhood, and how we got to where … Continue reading If I Could Talk to Me, 15 years ago… Lessons Learned From Caring for a Mom with Bi-Polar Disorder
Coordination of Care – Create a Form
Last week I had to take Mom to one of her psychiatry appointments. Typically, the appointments should only take 10-15 minutes. Hers usually last the better part of 40-60 minutes. After the appointment I had to meet with the residential nursing staff at Mom's facility, update them on what the physician changed, the tests he … Continue reading Coordination of Care – Create a Form
Three Month Update – Caregiver
I moved mom into an elderly retirement community with nursing care about three months ago. It was the best decision I have ever made for myself, and for her. She was probably calling me 30-40 times per week, now she is averaging 2-3. She has gone from being clinical for three months, to now stay … Continue reading Three Month Update – Caregiver
Distribution of Assets from Decedent’s Estate
Who gets paid from an estate when someone dies?
Guardianship – what is it?
A guardianship is a legal action that is filed in the probate court. The issue for the court to decide is whether or not the person in question, the proposed ward, is in need of a guardian, and, if so, who should serve as the legal guardian? While these actions are common in cases of … Continue reading Guardianship – what is it?
How to deal with liars
We all deal with them. Folks who have zero compunction about lying. And, if you confront them about it, guess what? They'll lie more, blame you, or further complicate the matter. So what do you do? Document the file. And this can be done in a variety of ways. For lawyers, we document the file … Continue reading How to deal with liars