by Twyla Sketchley | Oct 14, 2018 | Elder Care, Elder Law
Hurricane Michael tore through the Florida Panhandle from Gadsden County to Panama City Beach leaving devastation from the Gulf coast through Alabama and Georgia. Florida towns like Marianna, Lynnhaven and Blountstown will be without power and possibly drinkable water...
by Twyla Sketchley | Jan 21, 2018 | News, Resources
The federal government shutdown at midnight on Saturday, January 20, 2018, because the Senate rejected a temporary spending patch that would have kept the government open as the Congress, the Senate, and White House negotiated a budget or an appropriations bill to...
by Twyla Sketchley | Jan 1, 2018 | Resources
Each new year Medicare premiums, Social Security earnings, tax limits, and the minimum wage change. Here is a summary of the important 2018 numbers you need for your retirement, estate planning, and special needs planning: Medicare Part A Hospital Co-Pay per Benefit...
by Twyla Sketchley | Oct 2, 2017 | Financial Assistance
Social Security benefit are an important source of income for women, either in retirement, when they become disabled, or when they lose a working spouse prior to retirement age. The way women live their lives sometime negatively impacts their retirement income,...
by Twyla Sketchley | Sep 24, 2017 | Assisted Living, Nursing Home
When the story that ten (10) frail, elderly residents died in a nursing home in Hollywood Hills, Florida following Hurricane Irma made national news, families and friends with a loved one in a facility were forced worry that the facilities charged with caring for...
by Twyla Sketchley | Jul 28, 2017 | Assisted Living, Nursing Home
Every day, I review contracts that contain arbitration clauses. They are in nursing home contracts, assisted living facility contracts, home healthcare contracts, apartment leases, annuity contracts, documents signed at the doctor’s offices, and documents...
by Twyla Sketchley | May 29, 2017 | Estate Planning
To die “intestate” means a person died without a valid Last Will & Testament, or a will. This commonly occurs when one fails to create a written will. However, a person may die intestate if a court determines her will is invalid. In some rare cases,...
by Twyla Sketchley | May 15, 2017 | Elder Law
Getting older doesn’t mean what it used to. For many aging Americans, it is a phase of life where interests, goals, and dreams can get a new start. Today, it’s about eliminating outdated perceptions about “old age” and living the way that suits you...
by Twyla Sketchley | Apr 2, 2017 | Elder Law, Financial Assistance, Resources
Equal Pay Day marks how far into a new year a woman must work to earn the same amount a man did in the previous year. For example, women must work until approximately April 4, 2017 to make the same amount men did in 2016. Equal Pay day is a symbolic reminder of the...
by Twyla Sketchley | Mar 5, 2017 | Attorney, Elder Law
In my practice, I see challenges that we face due to discrimination every day. Women still are not paid equally for equal work across our nation and many are subjected to hostile work environments as a part of their career paths. As these women age, the lack of equal...
