Blogs
Elder Law
5 Ways Elder Law Planning Helps Families Find Peace of Mind
Elder law planning is about more than legal documents, it is about protecting people, values, and futures. At VanderVeen Elder and Special Needs Law, we help families across Indiana and Michigan navigate the aging process with clarity and care. Every family’s needs are different. Some are preparing early. Others are facing sudden health issues or transitions in care. In all of these cases, elder law offers a supportive framework that balances personal wishes with the realities of long-term care, Medicaid, and estate planning. We understand how overwhelming it can feel to make these decisions. Our goal is to remove fear from the process and replace it with a clear plan, one that brings relief and control to both seniors and their loved ones. Here are five ways elder law planning brings peace of mind: It protects assets. Whether it is the family home, savings, or retirement funds, we help families structure plans that safeguard what they have built. It ensures health care wishes are honored. Powers of attorney and advance directives empower trusted individuals to make decisions if needed. It helps avoid court involvement. A comprehensive plan reduces the need for guardianship or probate court if a crisis arises. It prepares for long-term care. Medicaid planning allows families to access care without spending everything they have. It fosters family harmony. A clear plan reduces stress and prevents future conflicts by making wishes and responsibilities known ahead of time. This May, during National Elder Law Month, we invite you to take the first step. Your plan is a gift to yourself and your family, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Read More
Special Needs Planning
How Special Needs Planning Protects Your Loved One’s Future in Indiana and Michigan
At VanderVeen Elder and Special Needs Law, we know that caring for a loved one with a disability comes with both profound joy and deep responsibility. Families across Indiana and Michigan turn to us when they want to ensure their loved one’s future is protected, not just for today, but for years to come. Special needs planning is a proactive step that provides peace of mind. It helps ensure that your loved one continues to receive the care and support they need, while also maintaining eligibility for vital public benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Without a plan, well-meaning gifts or inheritances can unintentionally disqualify someone from the very benefits that keep them safe and supported. A properly drafted Special Needs Trust allows families to provide for a loved one without jeopardizing access to these critical resources. Planning also allows you to designate who will advocate for your loved one if you are unable. Guardianship arrangements, powers of attorney, and health care authorizations are all important tools that ensure continuity of care and decision-making. Beyond the legal tools, special needs planning creates structure. It defines a trusted network of support, outlines care priorities, and allows families to plan for housing, education, and enrichment, ensuring quality of life, not just legal compliance. At VanderVeen Elder and Special Needs Law, we guide families through every aspect of this process with clarity and compassion. We know the law, but more importantly, we understand what is at stake. Your loved one’s quality of life, dignity, and security are at the heart of every plan we create. This May, as we celebrate Older Americans Month and National Elder Law Month, we encourage families to start the conversation. Planning now gives your family, and your loved one, the future they deserve.
Read More
Estate Planning
Have You Protected Your Digital Life? Here’s Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
What happens to your digital life when you’re no longer able to manage it? It’s a question most people don’t think to ask, until it’s too late. From your email and online banking to social media, cloud photo storage, and even the logins that run your small business, your digital presence is real, and growing by the day. But unless you take steps to plan ahead, those accounts may become inaccessible, or worse, vulnerable, if something happens to you. At VanderVeen Elder and Special Needs Law, we often guide families through the process of sorting out a loved one’s estate. And more often than not, the digital side is the piece that causes confusion, stress, and preventable delays. The good news? Planning for your digital assets can be simple, and incredibly empowering. As an experienced elder law and estate planning attorney serving Indiana and Michigan, Jennifer VanderVeen helps clients put protections in place that reflect both modern needs and timeless values. Your digital assets may include online bank and investment accounts, mobile payment apps like PayPal or Venmo, digital photo libraries, cryptocurrency wallets, subscription services, email accounts, and so much more. In many cases, access to these accounts is protected by terms of service that prohibit anyone else from logging in, even with your password. Without a proper plan, your loved ones may face legal roadblocks in trying to handle even simple tasks like closing accounts or recovering sentimental photos. That’s where proper estate planning comes in. You can authorize a trusted individual to manage your digital affairs by clearly outlining your wishes in your will or trust. You can also include digital access in your durable power of attorney and healthcare documents, which gives your agent authority to act on your behalf in the event of incapacity. It’s not just about logistics—it’s about protecting your privacy, easing the burden on your family, and ensuring that nothing important slips through the cracks. If it’s been more than a few years since you reviewed your estate plan, or if you’ve never included digital assets in your planning, it’s time for a refresh. Your online life isn’t going away; if anything, it’s becoming more intertwined with everything else you value. Jennifer VanderVeen and her team can help you take this often-overlooked step with confidence, care, and clarity. Your future isn’t just on paper anymore. Let’s make sure it’s protected, wherever it lives.
Read More
Estate Planning
Medication Safety Matters—Why Cleaning Out the Medicine Cabinet Should Be Part of Your Estate Plan
When was the last time you cleaned out your medicine cabinet? If you're like most people, there's a good chance it’s been a while. But April’s National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinets Month is more than a reminder to toss expired pills—it’s an opportunity to protect your health, your loved ones, and even your estate. At VanderVeen Elder and Special Needs Law, we know from experience that the small details in daily life often reveal the bigger picture. Old or unused medications can become dangerous, especially for older adults who may be juggling multiple prescriptions. Accidental misuse, drug interactions, and even theft or diversion of unused prescriptions are serious concerns—ones that can lead to hospitalization or long-term harm. What’s more, an unmonitored medicine cabinet may signal that it’s time for loved ones to step in with support, supervision, or legal planning. Jennifer Vanderveen encourages families across Indiana to use this month as a chance to do two things at once: clean out what’s no longer needed and have honest conversations about the future. When you’re sorting through a loved one’s medications, it’s a natural moment to discuss who they trust to manage their care if something happens. Powers of attorney, advance directives, and health care directives aren’t just legal concepts—they’re real tools that ensure the right person can step in when needed. Safe disposal is another piece of the puzzle. Many Indiana communities offer drop-off events or permanent medication collection boxes at local pharmacies or law enforcement agencies. Flushing medications or throwing them in the trash can pose environmental and safety risks. By using approved methods, you reduce those risks while modeling smart, responsible care. For caregivers, this task is also a practical way to stay involved and informed. Going through a parent’s or loved one’s medications can reveal issues that might otherwise be missed—duplicate prescriptions, medications that are no longer needed, or signs that a loved one is struggling to keep track of their regimen. It’s not about invading privacy; it’s about protecting independence through proactive support. Estate planning isn’t always about sweeping legal gestures. Sometimes, it’s the small, quiet actions—like decluttering a cabinet—that open the door to bigger, more meaningful conversations. Jennifer Vanderveen has helped Indiana families navigate those moments with empathy, professionalism, and legal clarity. Whether you’re updating health care documents, preparing for long-term care, or simply trying to start the right conversation, our team is here to help. This April, clean out the clutter—and take the next step in protecting your future.
Read More
Uncategorized
The Top Law Students
I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself
Read More
Uncategorized
Best Education Law and Training
I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself
Read More
Uncategorized
Clean Sources for Fast
I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself
Read More
Uncategorized
Flexible working Hours
I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself
Read More