Alpinist Attorneys
In May, my law partner, Derek Graham, and I went mountain climbing. We traveled to the state of Washington to summit Mt. Rainier.
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Blog
The purpose of our blog is to help our clients stay up to date with the latest news and laws that may affect a person's estate, special needs and/or business plans. We also use this forum to showcase some of the fun our office has together and with our families.
The information provided in our blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available in these articles are for general informational purposes only. Information in our blog may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.
- Jun 20, 2022
- 2 min
The Rules Are Changing!
For those who are legal guardian for a loved one, there are some important rule changes that go into effect on July 1, 2022.
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- May 27, 2022
- 3 min
Going on Vacation? Do you know if your Medicaid/Medicare will go with you?
Have you ever stopped to wonder whether the health care coverage with your Medicaid/Medicare programs travels with you?
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- Apr 29, 2022
- 2 min
Why Not Leave it To Your Grandkids?
Bill Root describes the benefits of planning for grandchildren.
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- Mar 29, 2022
- 2 min
Surprise Medical Bills: Understand Your Rights
By Derek Graham There is not much worse than having a child or loved one in the hospital. Finally getting to bring the child or loved one home is such a relief. But while the patient recovers, the family often then embarks on a waiting game to see how many different bills they will receive. Sometimes it feels like there is no rhyme or reason to some of the invoicing. I can recall receiving invoices several weeks after my daughter had been hospitalized from medical compani
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- Dec 15, 2021
- 2 min
Introducing BOUNDLESS Health
A new and unique health care center in Worthington, Ohio. By Derek Graham Here at RRPG, we get the privilege of working with many great providers and organizations who work with people having developmental disabilities (“DD”). In Ohio, you cannot have a group discussion with parents or self-advocates in the DD system without hearing the name Boundless. I had the great pleasure of meeting Renee Stein several years ago through work - she is a former Franklin County Board of Dev
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- Nov 4, 2021
- 3 min
Trustee School
By Derek L. Graham "What do I have to do?" This is the most common question we hear when meeting with an individual who - as the result of a family member or friend’s death - has been thrust into the position of being a Trustee. There is a flood of emotion that comes with that position. I find that most of the time, there is a sense of urgency to learn what needs to happen and when - because there is a deep sense of responsibility and desire to “get it right." Here at RRP
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- Oct 21, 2021
- 2 min
#Adulting
By Logan Philipps The word “adulting” is everywhere in pop culture. From Disney’s Phineas and Ferb, to a Podcast called Adulting, because being an adult doesn’t come with instructions, to a book titled Adulting: How to become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) steps. Merriam Webster Online has an article about the noun turned verb: "To 'adult' is to behave like an adult, specifically to do the things—often mundane—that an adult is expected to do." In short, "adulting" is doing what
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- Aug 31, 2021
- 4 min
It's Back to School Time!
This month, the RRPG team offers a collection of fond memories, words of wisdom and some terrific pictures from the past and present as we usher in a new school year. Whether you're sending your kids off to school for the first time, helping move them into a dorm or watching your grandkids board a school bus, we think you'll find this blog post both fun and endearing. Charity: We have a tradition of going out for a family dinner before the school year starts. This year was d
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- Jul 12, 2021
- 3 min
Half Dome Hike in Yosemite National Park
I have done dangerous and scary activities before. I remember in sixth grade I was scared to death walking on logs up in the air as part of a high ropes course. I went rock climbing as an eighth grader and repelled down rock walls in the Red River Gorge. I was scared as well while riding in an airplane up several thousand feet to jump out of the same airplane. But, in fact, both of those activities were safer than a trip I just finished. My wife and I took a break from our ki
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- Jun 21, 2021
- 3 min
Is Home Title Lock "Insurance" A Waste Of Money?
Read why home title lock "insurance" isn't insurance at all.
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- Apr 20, 2021
- 2 min
How Estate Tax Changes Could Affect You and Your Family
If you’ve heard about the newly proposed legislation regarding estate tax changes, but you don’t know how (or even if) it will affect you or your family, then keep reading to learn some of the basic parts you should know. Under current law, the estate tax exemption will be reduced from $11.7 million to $5.5 million on January 1, 2026. However, recent proposals and discussions from the new administration have indicated the estate tax exemption may be reduced to $3.5 million pr
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- Jan 18, 2021
- 2 min
Cryptocurrency and Inheritance
By Bill Root, Partner Resch, Root, Philipps & Graham, LLC Cryptocurrency purchases are becoming more popular as Americans are looking for ways to invest money and make consistent returns on those investments. As estate planners we are asked to advise clients concerning how such cryptocurrency accounts and “wallets” should be owned as part of an individual’s estate plan. The most recognizable form of cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, although there are many other forms, such as Litec
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- Oct 22, 2020
- 4 min
How to Own Your Real Estate
Real estate encompasses not only one’s primary residence but also other real estate such as a vacation home or a rental property. The ideal form of ownership varies depending on the type of real estate you own. Below, we take a look at the different types of real estate and offer advice about the best form of ownership for each. Primary Residence Because your primary residence receives special tax treatment, you should carefully consider how your home is owned. In some states
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- Oct 19, 2020
- 2 min
Thirteen Estate Planning Terms You Need to Know
Estate planning—it is an incredibly important tool, not just for the uber-wealthy or those thinking about retirement. On the contrary, estate planning is something every adult should do. Estate planning can help you accomplish any number of goals, including appointing guardians for minor children, choosing healthcare agents to make decisions for you should you become ill, minimizing taxes so you can pass more wealth onto your family members, and stating how and to whom you wo
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- Sep 21, 2020
- 1 min
20 Questions About Essential Documents
Who? 1. Who are your agents? 2. Are they the correct people? 3. Has someone moved and is no longer the correct person? 4. Should you change your agent? Where are they? 5. Where are your documents? 6. Are they accessible to the people who will need them? 7. Are they safe? 8. Have you emailed them to others? What are they? 9. What are your wishes for health care? 10. What are your wishes regarding end of life treatment? 11 Are they written down? 12. What documents do you need?
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- Aug 31, 2020
- 2 min
Trying to figure out what to do with an old life insurance policy?
By Ted Kotsakis, CEO PLUS Financial Network Is that life insurance policy you bought years ago still serving a purpose now that you are retired or approaching retirement? If you are on a fixed income you might be more concerned with outliving your money than premature death. There is an alternative that many people are not aware of and it is called a “Life Settlement." A life settlement is the sale of an existing life insurance policy to a third party for a value mutually agr
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- May 21, 2020
- 3 min
Don’t Risk it: Protect Your Finances From All The Virus Complications (Corona and beyond)
Many Americans spend a lot of time and effort in managing their finances. While most are worried about how the coronavirus (COVID-19) will impact their income—whether that’s because they are temporarily furloughed, find themselves suddenly without a job, or watching their investment and retirement accounts dwindle—there is another way COVID-19 (or any illness for that matter) can wreak havoc on American’s finances: lack of incapacity planning. As the coronavirus continues to
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- May 18, 2020
- 4 min
Four Reasons Your Will May Be Contested in Court
Having an updated last will and testament is more important than ever, especially now. However, a will that is poorly created or not frequently updated can be vulnerable to contestation. What is contestation? It is the formal objection to a will’s (or trust’s) validity because it either: a) doesn’t reflect the wishes of the person who created the will, or b) because the will does not meet legal standards. Will contests should be avoided at all costs. Not only can a contest de
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- May 11, 2020
- 5 min
Five Common Mistakes with “DIY” Estate Plans
In light of the current pandemic, many Americans are becoming aware of the importance of creating or updating their estate planning documents. With the extension of some states’ stay-in-place orders, it may be tempting to create your own documents all on your own. Whether you are considering writing your own will or using an online “do it yourself” (DIY) document creator, there are many reasons why this is one project you shouldn’t take on without the help of a professional.
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