If you’ve ever spent an afternoon tearing through file cabinets looking for a deed, a life insurance policy, or a stock certificate after a loved one’s death, you already know that estate planning isn’t just about writing a will or trust — it’s about making sure the right documents can actually be found and used when they’re needed. In Indiana, … Read More
Deed It Right: Why Titling Property Matters
Written By: Samantha Banks, Attorney [Titling Property] Summary: How you title real estate determines whether your home avoids probate, faces creditor or Medicaid claims, and transfers smoothly to heirs. While options like joint tenancy or transfer on death deeds offer basic probate avoidance, using a trust provides stronger protection and control. Working with an estate planning attorney ensures your property … Read More
Passport, Packing, & Power of Attorney: Your Summer Checklist
Written By: Valerie Hollar, Drafting Paralegal [medical power of attorney] Summary: As you pack for your summer vacations, ensuring you are prepared for unexpected medical situations is just as important as bringing the essentials. This guide outlines how to locate, digitize, and share your medical power of attorney documents so your trusted representatives can act quickly in an emergency. Taking … Read More
Estate Planning for Young Adults in Indiana
By Valerie Hollar, Drafting Paralegal It is that time of year again. Graduation, open houses, and sending the next group of young adults out into the world. College, trade school, entering the working world—there are so many decisions to make. One item that often gets overlooked is the need for estate planning for young adults. You might think, “Why would a … Read More
25 Years of Planning Ahead: Indiana Estate & Elder Law Marks Major Milestone
Indiana Estate & Elder Law is celebrating its 25th year of guiding Indiana families through the legal decisions that shape their futures and protect the people they love. The firm helps clients create and maintain effective estate plans, navigate long-term care needs, and manage probate and post-death administration. They also work with business and farm owners to ensure their life’s … Read More
Understanding Indiana Medicaid: Five-Year Lookback and Gifting Rules
By: Lisa Burris, Director of Medicaid A Strategic Guide to Protecting Assets While Maintaining Medicaid Eligibility in Indiana Planning for long-term care is one of the most important—and often misunderstood—areas of elder law. In Indiana, Medicaid eligibility is governed by strict financial rules designed to prevent individuals from giving away assets simply to qualify for benefits. At the center of … Read More
Durable Power of Attorney: The Financial Essentials
A Durable Power of Attorney is one of the most valuable tools a person can utilize during their lifetime. Whether you face a sudden health crisis, an extended hospital stay, or simply find yourself unable to manage your finances during a critical period like tax season, a properly executed Durable Power of Attorney ensures that someone you trust can step … Read More
Funding a Trust in Indiana: Why the Box Must be Filled
By: Samantha Banks [Trust Funding] Many people believe that once they sign their trust documents, their estate plan is complete. However, signing your trust documents is only the beginning. One of the most common (and costly) estate planning mistakes is failing to properly fund a trust after it’s signed. An unfunded trust can completely defeat the purpose of having one! … Read More
Choosing the Right Executor
Written By: Jennifer Rozelle, Indiana Estate & Elder Law [Executor, Trustee] Selecting an Executor or Trustee is one of the most important decisions in estate planning, yet it is often made hastily or based on obligation rather than practicality. The person or institution you choose will handle your finances, navigate family dynamics, and manage legal processes after you’re gone. Here’s … Read More
Indiana Law Firm Offers Scholarships for High School Students
To support the next generation of leaders in the communities it serves, Indiana Estate & Elder Law has opened applications for its annual college scholarship. Students graduating in 2026 from high schools in Hamilton, Johnson, Parke, and Wabash Counties, where the law firm has offices, are invited to apply for the $1,000 award. Interested students must complete and submit the … Read More