My nephew is graduating from high school this week. He has a full baseball scholarship to college and I am very proud of him.  He has aspirations of being an educator, the profession I respect above all others.

I remember when I graduated from high school, what an accomplishment it felt like at the time. I had already moved out of my parents’ home and was living on my own. Graduation to me, at that time, meant I could stop going to school and continue to work full time only, instead of doing both at the same time. It also meant I could sleep. But, what did it mean for the rest of my life?

Twenty-five years later, I look back at my graduation and who I have become since that day. I am an attorney who guides people in creating an estate plan to live life independently, with quality, and protect what is most important to them – their families and their assets.  I get the benefit of seeing through my clients’ eyes regarding the major life decisions they made and how those decisions have affected their long term care and financial options today.

What major life decisions did I make, intentionally or otherwise, that lead me here?  While floundering to pay bills after graduation, I took a job as a nurse’s aide in a skilled nursing facility in DeSoto, Texas. I had no experience, or training in this field.  But, I loved seniors and was not squeamish about poop or vulgar language, and I looked cute in medical “whites.”  At the age of 19, I looked 15, and like everyone’s granddaughter.  Needless to say, I had a great time working at the nursing home, as well as doing home health care as an aide.

But, it was not getting me to college.  There was never a time when I was young that I didn’t think I would not go to college. It was just expected.  However, I didn’t know how to get there. After a couple of personal relationship break-ups, I made a major life decision to enlist in the United States Air Force.  Saturday, May 18, 2013, was National Armed Forces Day. Serving my country and being a part of the military was the single best decision I have ever made. Not only did it allow me to begin taking college classes (my original goal), I got to travel and spend two years in Germany, I met life-long friends, and I learned two different practical skills (carpentry/masonry and paralegal administrative work).  But, most of all, I learned how to communicate and appreciate the differences of all people.  Those lessons have served me throughout the rest of my life.

After six years in the military, I made another life changing decision – to get out of the military, complete college, and ultimately go to law school.  After law school, instead of working for someone else or another firm, I decided to open my own firm, without any financial resources or assistance from anyone else. That was the second best decision of my life. It has allowed me to work only with people I really enjoy working with, clients who appreciate the value that I bring to their lives and their families, clients who share stories about their children and grandchildren graduating from high school and making their next big decisions.

My clients at this stage in life are making decisions about how to preserve assets and take care of themselves as they age, which is expected to be much longer than their own parents’ ages.  These are decisions that affect how they can enjoy their grandchildren and great grandchildren on a person and financial level, especially in our mobile society where our children don’t necessarily live next door anymore.  And, my clients are making decisions about whether they can qualify for veterans benefits (wartime pension with aid and attendance) and/or nursing home Medicaid, without losing everything they spent a lifetime to earn.

The decisions I help my clients make today affects them, their families, and me for the rest of our lives. Have you looked back over the past 10, 20, or 30 years to reflect on how the decisions you have made have affected your life?  Would you like to explore how you can make new decisions that will positively affect the rest of your life, making the second half the best half of your life?

The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC provides education seminars each week on the Essentials of Estate and Elder Care Planning.  You can either call to reserve a spot or just schedule an appointment to meet directly with Victoria.  Our client services coordinator will help assess which option will best suit your needs.  Call 404-370-0696.  See you soon.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Being a Mother is the greatest gift I have ever received.  The gift of life, a child (actually, two in my case – twins), is a miracle. Even more so when another human being, a mother herself, is willing to be a surrogate to give that gift. I became a mother three years ago through surrogacy. My life will never be the same, and I am thankful.

Becoming a mother has helped me understand and appreciate my own mother more. She entered my life when I was five and accepted me and my brother as her own.  We presented her with challenges.  Overall I was a fairly easy child to raise, but that all changed once I turned 16. I even moved out of my parents’ house when I was 17, which could not have been easy on them. Not knowing where I was or whether I was safe. Wondering if I was going to graduate or drop out of school. Become a statistic.  Watching, with love, as I made my own choices, mistakes, and achievements.

My mother wasn’t perfect, and still isn’t. But she gave it her all and did her very best to provide a stable, loving house of protection.  She was firm and consistent, teaching the necessary skills to survive and thrive in the real world.

Mothers spend years taking care of others before themselves, tending to all of their needs.  They take care of their children, oftentimes their spouses, and then their own parents.  When my mother ages and needs more of my time and attention, I only hope that I then take the time to tend to her needs and do so with the same smile she always gave to me from the sidelines of yet, another basketball game.

This is the gift, as a mother, that I hope to give back to mine.  Thank you, Mom!

Celebrating Teachers Appreciation Week 2013

Thank You Teachers!

If it were not for the teachers in my life, I would not be who I am today.  I do not say that lightly. My mother and father divorced when I was only two and my father became a single dad.  All of my teachers were women and I gravitated to them like steel to a magnet. My first, Ms. West, in first grade would walk by each morning and give me my morning wink. It made each day start out right. In third grade, my speech therapist, Ms. Mackey, challenged me to say my “r”s in a fun way, without judgment. In sixth grade, Ms. Starkey, allowed me privileges to go to her “sports” car and get her gym clothes.  You know I spent extra time pretending to drive!

I could easily share a story about every one of my elementary school teachers and how they impacted my life. But junior high and high school was where I really blossomed as a person, thanks to the positive influence of my teachers. My math teacher, Ms. Crowel, taught me in 7^th, 8^th, and 10^th grades, even tutoring me in the stands as we watched basketball, making math my favorite subject.  My junior high basketball coach, Coach Bogott, was the first person who really inspired me to go the extra mile. I was only 4 foot 7 inches (not exactly what you would want in a basketball player). Yet, I learned to hustle and beat everyone up and down the court. During the summer, Coach Bogott even opened the gym to give us extra practice time.  Even when I progressed up to high school, she attended some of my high school games and extracurricular off-season games. When I stopped playing basketball and began running track, Coach Bogott made it a point to attend some of my events. At that age, with so many changes, it meant everything to me that she remained the same and continued to support my efforts.

In high school, my Latin teacher, Ms. Lacey, was instrumental in helping me learn not to pigeonhole myself.  This lesson has served me very well in business as well.

Me with my freshman English teacher and sports trainer, Ms. Jackson

Lastly, but most importantly, my Freshman English teacher, and sports trainer, Ms. Jackson, encouraged me to have the strength to be me without apologies. She showed me that through my writing (poetry), I could express the world around me, as well as inside of me.  Over 25 years later, she continues to be one of my best friends, sitting on my board of advisors of life.

My law school Dean, Nancy Rapoport (UNL)

As an adult, I continue to seek out great teachers. Those who teach for the love of learning. My law school Dean, Nancy Rapoport (UNL), and Professor, Mary Radford (GSU), exemplify the teaching profession.

Me with my Professor, Mary Radford (GSU)

Me with my current mentor and teacher and lawyer, William Hammond

My current mentor and teacher, William Hammond, is also a lawyer with whom I hold a great deal of respect.

Without teachers in my life, I would not have lived a life full of joy and encouragement. I send a heartfelt Thank You to all teachers.

As an estate and elder care planning attorney, I try to lead by example. I have life insurance.  However, in the last three months I have had two significant life changing events that made me question whether I had enough insurance.  

First, my father died in January.  He was 68 years of age, which is quite young.  When someone close to you dies, it makes you question your own mortality and whether you have done all that is necessary for the ones you love who will survive you.

Second, two weeks after my father passed, I acquired a full body rash.  I didn’t think anything of it until three weeks later my mouth broke out with five canker sores. My body was telling me I was stressed.  No big deal. I am used to being stressed. I am a mother of three year old twins and a successful business owner / lawyer. But, three weeks after that when I got a really painful rash on my head, neck, and shoulders (erroneously thought to be shingles), I really began to get worried.  When you worry, the mind can be very creative. I had talked myself into having a rare blood disease that causes rashes, or an immune deficiency of some sort. 

Although I had already considered increasing my life insurance, I had not yet done so.  Now what? If I died with the amount of life insurance I currently have, would my children be able to maintain the standard of living I have been providing?  No. 

Increasing my life insurance is the best part of my estate plan.  The goal of an estate plan is to leave my property to the people I love in the way that I want to.  I have a house with a heavy mortgage, a business with clients who depend on me, and children who rely on my financial support.  Life insurance is what will pay off my mortgage (and other debts) so my children can live debt free and focus on music lessons, sports, and school instead of survival. My clients can feel safe that my estate will take care of their pending matters by employing another attorney on their behalf to finish their case.  (The good news: I only had a hyperactive allergic reaction to something and I don’t have any health concerns!)

Trusts and a last will and testament are necessary estate planning tools, but don’t overlook the benefits of life insurance if you have others who depend on your income or assets for support. This one tool can preserve all other assets that are important to you and your loved ones to secure their future when you are no longer here to do so.

I believe that every person is an individual who deserves respect and the highest quality of life possible, regardless of age or ability.  I also believe that you should not have to lose everything you’ve worked a lifetime to earn.
Victoria L. Collier, CELA, Founder and CEO of The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC     

April 11th is World Parkinson’s Disease Day. The following are tips for living well with the illness.

1. To address cognitive changes that occur with PD (Parkinson’s disease), investigate treatments other than medications like psychotherapy and behavior management.

2. For help in getting a good night’s rest, maintain a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and get up around the same time each day.

3. Many PD medications can raise the risk of dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration.

4. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of people diagnosed with PD will experience depression. It is recommended that those with PD be screened for depression on a yearly basis.

5. To increase confidence related to mobility, move around as often as possible. If you enjoy watching television, get up and walk during commercials.

6. Utilize devices such as grab bars in the bathroom or a long handled reacher to increase safety and convenience in the home.

7. For sources and further information: http://parkinson.org.

Avoiding Medication Errors

Seniors tend to take multiple medications, which can increase the risk of not taking medication correctly. The following helpful hints can be used to reduce the risk of harmful effects from taking medications incorrectly:

1. Know your medications and only take them as directed. Talk to your doctor if you feel you need a medication change

2. Use only one pharmacy to fill prescriptions

3. Always keep an up to date list of all medications (prescription, non-prescription, and nutritional supplements). The list should include brand and generic names for all medicines, prescribed dosages, instructions for taking the medication, drug allergies, names of pharmacy and healthcare providers, and emergency contact information.

4. Share your list of medications with family members, friends, and any health care providers who may need the information. Display the list in a prominent place in your home such as the refrigerator

5. Store medications according to instructions and discard expired medications

6. Never share or take another person’s medications

7. For more information National Council on Patient Information and Education (www.talkaboutrx.org) or Medication Use Safety Training for Seniors (www.mustforseniors.org)

Save Your Vision

In honor of Save Your Vision month, find the following tips for healthier eyes:

1. Eat an eye healthy diet – increase the amount of fruits and vegetables, including dark leafy greens, and fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna, and halibut.

2. Control of other health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes will lower the possibility of associated eye problems.

3. Protect your eyes from possible injury by using protective equipment (like glasses or goggles) when working around the house and by reducing risk of falls which may lead to eye injury.

4. Know your family’s history of eye health – many eye conditions are hereditary. Communicate family history to your ophthalmologist during regular eye exams.

5. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from overexposure to UV light.

6. Sleep! Just as all parts of your body do, your eyes are able to rest and replenish during sleep.

7. Source and further information: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (www.nei.nih.gov), American Academy of Ophthalmology (www.geteyesmart.org)

It is the mission of Collier & St. Clair, LLP to support our clients in the creation of a long-term plan for preserving assets, maximizing independence, and enhancing quality of life.