Knoxville Bar Association Offers FREE LawTalk Series

9/7/2012

The age 60+ population is expected to grow by 63% by 2025 according to the Knox County CAC Office on Aging.   But, many in this fast-growing group do not plan at all.  This is often due to the mistaken assumption that if they are not wealthy or have fixed or limited assets that there is no reason to bother with a will.  Others simply don’t know how or where to begin.  This is evidenced by the fact that 70% of adults in this country die without a will.  

Many Tennesseans think they've already made their plans known, but they don't know that because of recent changes in the law, their old living wills may not be adequate. Many more Tennesseans haven't even planned ahead with any living will, or as it is known now, 'advance directive.' Knoxvillians have an opportunity to learn about these changes, and to learn how to make their wishes known, at the Knoxville Bar Association’s LawTalk series.  The LawTalk series are free educational programs which offer the community an opportunity to learn more about planning for their own security and that of their family and loved ones.   The purpose of this series is not only to educate people but to emphasize how very important it is to plan ahead.

The law affects many aspects of people's lives and the purpose of the 16th Annual LawTalk series is to make general legal information more accessible to the community.   In an effort to keep the program current and to maximize its practical value to the public, both sessions of the LawTalk program will be held on the following dates:  Friday, November 2, 2012 at O’Connor Senior Center (611 Winona Street) and Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Fellowship Church (8000 Middlebrook Pike).   Free parking is available at both locations and handout material will be provided.  The “Wills & Estate Planning for Everyone” will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and the “Legal Protection for the Elderly, the Disabled & their Caregivers” will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  At each location, local lawyers will present information and answer questions from the audience.  

“Wills & Estate Planning for Everyone” will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and this program will help your organize your affairs in light of the 2012 changes to gift and inheritance tax laws.    

Experienced local attorneys will provide information regarding planning for incapacity and death, which can happen to anyone at any age. Be Prepared! Learn about the documents everyone should have in place. Learn what happens if no documents are in place. Did you know that if you don't have a will, the State will ultimately decide how your property is divided? Many more Tennesseans haven't even planned ahead with any living will or an advance directive.  

If you care for an elderly or disabled family member or anticipate that you may one day have this responsibility, you should plan to attend the LawTalk program from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. entitled “Legal Protection for the Elderly, the Disabled & their Caregivers.”   During the seminar, local attorneys will discuss the legal issues of how to finance long-term health care, the means by which assets can be preserved and the do's and don'ts of property transfers.  Learn the differences between Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Railroad Retirement, and EEOICPA benefits and how those programs may or may not help pay for long term care.  This session will explain the effect of 2012 change in Medicaid/Tenncare law that defines how "sick" a person has to be to qualify for TennCare assistance. In addition, the program will discuss how advanced directives for seniors should be written to meet the unique needs of seniors.

The more information people have about these topics, the better they will be able to plan and implement decisions for their own circumstances and the care of their loved ones.  

Program Partners: 
Tennova Healthcare, Knox County Office on Aging, O’Connor Senior Center and Knoxville Bar Foundation     

To register or for more information, please call the Knoxville Bar Association at 522-6522 or register online at www.knoxbar.org.