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1. **Reducing Estate Taxes with Lifetime Gifts:** Giving away assets during your lifetime can lower or even avoid federal estate taxes. Here's how:
   - **$15,000 Annual Exclusion:** Each person can give up to $15,000 a year per person without facing gift taxes or needing to file a gift tax return. For example, a couple with two children can give up to $60,000 a year without tax consequences.
   - **Unlimited Exclusion for Educational and Medical Expenses:** Payments made directly to institutions for someone's tuition or medical expenses do not count towards your gift limit.
   - **Applicable Exclusion Amount:** Each person has a large exemption amount ($11.18 million in 2018, reducing after 2025) that they can use during their lifetime or at death, over and above the annual exclusions.
   - **Gift-Splitting Between Spouses:** Couples can share the gift-giving, allowing them to double the annual exclusion by treating the gift as if it were given half by each spouse.
   - **Post-Gift Appreciation Is Not Taxed:** Any increase in the value of gifts after they are given does not face estate or gift taxes.

2. **Benefits of a Lifetime Gift Program:** Regular gifts using the annual exclusion can reduce your taxable estate significantly, potentially saving hundreds of thousands in estate taxes.

3. **Ensuring Wise Use of Gifts:** While tax benefits are significant, the worry that children may misuse gifts is common. Protect against this by:
   - Making the gift to a custodial account under state laws where you control the assets until the child is older (up to 25 years).
   - Using trusts or education savings plans where you can set terms on how and when the money is used.

4. **Advanced Strategies:**
   - **Gift Trusts:** Allow more control over gifts, protecting them from the recipient's poor decisions or creditors.
   - **Family Limited Partnerships:** You can gift shares of a family business, often at a reduced value due to marketability and control discounts.

5. **When Not to Gift:** Don’t gift assets you might need later, or that have low tax basis unless to a grantor trust, which might still benefit from your paying the taxes on the trust's income.

6. **Choosing Trustees and Trust Terms:** You can't be trustee of your own irrevocable trust but you can appoint someone you trust, or use a professional trustee for larger trusts.

7. **Leveraging Your Gifts:** Using trusts and other arrangements, you can make larger gifts or retain an income while still removing assets from your estate. This needs careful legal planning to get right.

By understanding and using these methods wisely, you can significantly reduce the taxes on your estate while ensuring your wealth supports your children, grandchildren, and beyond in meaningful ways.

Trust Gifting: Passing Gifts to Heirs & Taxation Guidelines

A Cautionary Tale from Cornerstone of Oak Creek

​(not recommended) Cornerstone of Oak Creek in Oak Creek Wisconsin 



As a devoted member of the Kare Facts community, I feel compelled to share a distressing experience that profoundly impacted my family. This story serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance needed when selecting an assisted living facility for our loved ones.

It began when I was grappling with a serious medical condition affecting my gastrointestinal tract, which left me in dire need of support for my mother. With limited assistance from family, I turned to Cornerstone of Oak Creek in Wisconsin, a facility that initially seemed promising. Upon our first visit, the environment was welcoming, and I was hopeful that my mother would be safe and well-cared for during my period of testing and recovery.

However, the management at Cornerstone soon underwent a dramatic change that would negatively affect my mother's stay. The original manager, a kind woman who had facilitated my mother’s admission, relapsed into drug use. In her place, a new manager from the Gen Z generation was hired to 'clean house.' Shortly after her arrival, she issued an eviction notice to my mother without any justifiable cause. Although we quickly contested this eviction and it was overturned within 24 hours, this was just the beginning of our troubles.

Over the course of the holiday season, from Thanksgiving through the New Year, I witnessed a horrifying decline in the care my mother received. During my daily visits, I found her sitting in soiled clothes, often left alone for hours in her recliner. 

The staff, lacking in compassion and motivated merely by their paychecks, severely neglected her. Disturbingly, due to the prejudices of other residents who disliked her skin color and eating habits, my mother was banned from the dining area and confined to her apartment under a supposed 24-hour lockdown.

The situation reached a critical point when I discovered that the staff's checks were nothing more than a glance through the door to ensure she was physically present. Her dignity and her basic human rights were being stripped away, ignored by those supposed to care for her.

Despite my efforts to address these abuses, including numerous calls and letters to state representatives and the facility itself, the response was grossly inadequate. The state Ombudsman, despite the evidence I had collected through cameras installed in my mother's apartment, concluded there was no proof of wrongdoing. This dismissal of clear and present evidence of neglect and abuse left me not only heartbroken but infuriated.

This experience at Cornerstone of Oak Creek is a cautionary tale for all families seeking assisted living facilities. It highlights the potential dangers of placing our vulnerable loved ones under the care of others, especially when management and staff show little interest in the well-being of residents. It is a painful reminder that the quality of care can drastically wane under poor management, underscoring the need for families to remain exceedingly vigilant and involved in the lives of their loved ones in assisted living.

In sharing this story, my hope is to urge families to thoroughly investigate and continuously monitor the places where their loved ones reside. Ensure that the management not only upholds high standards of care but also fosters an environment of respect and dignity for all residents. The decision you make can profoundly affect the well-being and happiness of your family members, and as such, must be made with the utmost care and consideration.

Senior Care Housing: A Cautionary Tale from Cornerstone of Oak Creek in Oak Creek Wisconsin

I am writing to express my profound concern and urgency regarding a matter of utmost importance—the protection of our senior citizens from potential abuse and exploitation within the probate court system. It has come to my attention, through personal experience and mounting evidence, that there is a pressing need to address the alarming issue of abuse of power and financial exploitation targeting vulnerable seniors.

The abuse and exploitation that I speak of extend to various individuals and entities within the probate court system, including court-appointed attorneys, guardians, senior caregivers, and fiduciary representatives. These individuals and entities, under the guise of legal authority, have been infringing upon the rights of our seniors and unlawfully declaring them incompetent, all with the intent to defraud and swindle their estates. The consequences of this abuse of power have been devastating, with some seniors enduring great harm and, in tragic cases, even losing their lives.

The rapid growth in cases of abuse targeting our senior population is deeply troubling. As our senior population has tripled in this country, so too have those who seek to commit fraud, inflict harm, and abuse. I speak from personal experience as my mother was subjected to abuse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on multiple occasions. I sought the support of the government in Madison, Wisconsin in addressing my concerns, but each investigation yielded results claiming a lack of sustainable evidence in my mother's case.

Tragically, my mother passed away on April 18th, and shortly thereafter, our family experienced yet another traumatic incident. My uncle, who resided in the state of Illinois, passed away. He had been the caregiver for my grandmother, along with a state-run senior home-based agency. Shockingly, the agency swiftly took possession of my uncle's remains and cremated him within two days. The owner of the agency then appointed himself as the power of attorney, asserting that both my uncle and grandmother had no extended live relatives.

It was only through a reliable source that our family learned about these developments. My sister hired an investigator to locate my grandmother, who we discovered was in a local hospital in Chicago. In the discharge process, the owner of the caregiver agency claimed to be the appointed power of attorney, resulting in the courts ruling that my grandmother be placed in a nursing home. While in the nursing home, my grandmother sustained a black eye under suspicious circumstances. When we reported this incident to Cook County Probate Court Judge Aicha Marie MacCarthy, our concerns were summarily dismissed, and we were even removed from the Zoom session during a hearing.

Unfortunately, within a few weeks, my grandmother passed away. It is with a heavy heart that I assert that if the United States Department of Justice does not intervene, more seniors will lose their lives due to these egregious acts of racketeering.

We, the concerned citizens of this nation, implore the U.S. Department of Justice to take immediate action by launching a comprehensive investigation into the crimes committed against seniors within the Cook County Probate Court system. It is our solemn duty to protect our senior citizens from further harm, exploitation, and abuse.

The trust we place in our justice system is foundational to our society's values and principles. It is my sincere hope that the Department of Justice will stand as a beacon of integrity, accountability, and justice, ensuring that our seniors receive the protection and care they rightfully deserve.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I eagerly await your response and look forward to the positive impact that your intervention can bring to the lives of our vulnerable seniors.

Lawrence Petition for Laws to Protect the Aging

News Breaking Story 
How the Court Sentenced My Grandmother to Death in a Nursing Home 
"Wake Your Ask Up!" 2 season "Kare Fact," addressing the crimes in probate court and the transfer of generational wealth. 

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20530

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my profound concern and urgency regarding a matter of utmost importance—the protection of our senior citizens from potential abuse and exploitation within the probate court system. It has come to my attention, through personal experience and mounting evidence, that there is a pressing need to address the alarming issue of abuse of power and financial exploitation targeting vulnerable seniors.

The abuse and exploitation that I speak of extend to various individuals and entities within the probate court system, including court-appointed attorneys, guardians, senior caregivers, and fiduciary representatives. These individuals and entities, under the guise of legal authority, have been infringing upon the rights of our seniors and unlawfully declaring them incompetent, all with the intent to defraud and swindle their estates. The consequences of this abuse of power have been devastating, with some seniors enduring great harm and, in tragic cases, even losing their lives.

The rapid growth in cases of abuse targeting our senior population is deeply troubling. As our senior population has tripled in this country, so too have those who seek to commit fraud, inflict harm, and abuse. I speak from personal experience as my mother was subjected to abuse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on multiple occasions. I sought the support of the government in Madison, Wisconsin in addressing my concerns, but each investigation yielded results claiming a lack of sustainable evidence in my mother's case.

Tragically, my mother passed away on April 18th, and shortly thereafter, our family experienced yet another traumatic incident. My uncle, who resided in the state of Illinois, passed away. He had been the caregiver for my grandmother, along with a state-run senior home-based agency. Shockingly, the agency swiftly took possession of my uncle's remains and cremated him within two days. The owner of the agency then appointed himself as the power of attorney, asserting that both my uncle and grandmother had no extended live relatives.

It was only through a reliable source that our family learned about these developments. My sister hired an investigator to locate my grandmother, who we discovered was in a local hospital in Chicago. In the discharge process, the owner of the caregiver agency claimed to be the appointed power of attorney, resulting in the courts ruling that my grandmother be placed in a nursing home. While in the nursing home, my grandmother sustained a black eye under suspicious circumstances. When we reported this incident to Cook County Probate Court Judge Aicha Marie MacCarthy, our concerns were summarily dismissed, and we were even removed from the Zoom session during a hearing.

Review & Sign the Petition 
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/protecting-our-seniors-from-court-guardianship-abuse
://
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How the Court Sentenced My Grandmother to Death in a Nursing Home

Provided by https://www.karefactsc.com 
The death of a loved one, particularly when it involves an elder or primary provider, can create profound rifts within a family. Often, these key figures serve as the familial glue, and their passing not only brings grief but can also precipitate chaos and conflict, especially over inheritance matters. This turmoil is exacerbated when the deceased did not leave clear instructions regarding their last wishes.

The emotional toll of arranging a funeral is substantial, but the complexities of estate settlement can transform mourning into a battleground over assets. Disputes frequently arise when individuals believe they are entitled to more, or when some relatives are left out entirely due to the lack of a will or clear directives. The case of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is a poignant example; her failure to leave definitive legal instructions resulted in each heir needing to petition their local state probate court.

This process often involves hiring attorneys and possibly private investigators to ensure all assets are accounted for, further complicating matters if there is no will or trust in place. Probate courts typically appoint an administrator to identify and settle with creditors before any assets can be distributed to heirs. During this time, the 'court crew'—including lawyers and court officials—accumulate billable hours, often necessitating the sale of possessions to cover these and other related costs. Ultimately, the heirs may receive only the remnants after all debts, legal fees, and court costs have been paid.

Moreover, such situations can inflict lasting trauma on families, tearing apart relationships over disputes that could have been avoided with proper planning. It is not uncommon in African American communities, where generational wealth transfer is less prevalent, for families to be left reeling from the double impact of grief and financial strife.

As the aging population grows and the complexities of elder care and estate management become more pronounced, coupled with health risks from dietary choices, the inevitability of death looms larger. It is crucial, therefore, to organize one’s affairs meticulously.

In light of these realities, every individual, particularly those with dependents or significant assets, must prioritize estate planning. This includes drafting a will, setting up trusts where appropriate, and ensuring that all potential legal and financial issues are addressed proactively to spare their families from unnecessary hardship and discord after their departure.

The Damage Caused to Families When there's no Directives in Place.

Please bear with me as I delve into a sensitive subject in this article: the fact that personal beliefs or religion do not override the laws of probate court. Regardless of your faith, without a living will, directives, or a trust, your estate will inevitably fall under court jurisdiction once you pass away. This leaves your family with the burdensome tasks of arranging your funeral, covering the expenses, and potentially watching as your possessions are sold off to satisfy debts to creditors, court-appointed representatives, the state, and any other claimants eager to benefit from your estate. 

This truth might sound harsh, but it’s crucial to face these uncomfortable realities head-on. In our society, it's uncommon to confront such grim truths directly because they can be unsettling. However, addressing them openly can encourage others to prioritize and manage their estate planning more conscientiously.

In my own experience, I have faced the loss of four immediate family members within the last 18 months, the most recent being my brother, who was only 46 and died unexpectedly of natural causes. The shock of his sudden death was compounded by the absence of any directives, insurance papers, or 401(k) documents, which we couldn’t find when we went to handle his affairs. Although he was a conscientious person who responsibly managed his life, the whereabouts of his essential documents remain unknown, which has left our family in a precarious position. Ultimately, my sister took the lead and arranged for his cremation.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t pause for grief, nor does it provide a special budget for death-related expenses, which can range from $10,000 to $40,000 nowadays. Funeral homes, faced with their own costs, may charge high prices, pushing families to make difficult and often costly decisions regarding funeral arrangements, flowers, caskets, and memorial services.

This stark reality underscores the absolute necessity of preparing for the inevitable to spare your loved ones additional stress and financial burden during an already challenging time.

Navigating Grief Without Guidance: The Chaos of Prince's Unplanned Legacy

KARE FACTS https://www.karefacts.com 
#aging #trust #livingtrust #will #elderly #families #death

Welcome to today’s discussion on the critical importance of developing a robust trust, an instrument that has become indispensable, whether you're a businessperson, affluent, aging, or simply keen on passing generational wealth to your heirs. Understanding the nuances of trusts, including how to choose one that avoids probate or minimizes tax implications, is essential.

Trust is not just a legal instrument but also a testament to the trust you place in a trustee or custodian. Equally crucial is having a backup trustee in place. Why? Because the unpredictability of life—be it from health issues linked to dietary toxins, societal violence, or the closure of mental health facilities—can lead to unexpectedly early departures. Discussing who will handle your affairs if you pass unexpectedly is a conversation that needs to happen in every household. Who should inherit what, and when? 

In your advance directives, it's imperative to include all account details, from bank accounts to digital access points. Without these, your family may struggle to manage your estate efficiently. Developing a trust can address and resolve ninety-nine percent of potential issues that might arise upon your passing.

Kare Facts is here to support you in this process. We offer a comprehensive Trust Packet, complete with Certificates, Directives, and Asset Transfer documents. If you are a real estate investor or owner, inquire about our Land Trust document to ensure proper property conveyance. Business owners should consider establishing a trust as the controlling party for operations, which facilitates the separation of personal and corporate credit profiles.

For detailed guidance and to learn more about how our humanitarian project is making a positive impact on the lives of the aging and their families, visit Kare Facts. Let us help you secure your legacy and protect your loved ones’ future.

Public Announcement: Be Prepared.. Be Responsive -Listen to Why

### Navigating the Challenges of the Sandwich Generation

As we delve into the complexities faced by the sandwich generation—those caught between caring for their aging parents and raising their own children—the urgency for comprehensive elder care reform becomes starkly apparent. As the population ages gracefully into their golden years, many adult children find themselves in the role of caretakers, a transition fraught with emotional and logistical challenges.

A significant concern for this generation is the looming specter of memory loss among the elderly, a condition that complicates caregiving and legal planning. In response, many baby boomers are taking the essential step of securing a durable power of attorney for their parents. This legal instrument is critical as it ensures that in the event a parent is deemed incompetent, a designated family member, rather than state institutions, can make decisions on their behalf.

Unfortunately, the state’s intervention in these matters does not always yield the most humane outcomes. An increasing number of cases reveal that judicial decisions tend to favor placing the elderly in institutions—a solution that often leads to suboptimal care—rather than exploring the possibilities of home-based care where family members can provide love and support.

The decision to move an aging loved one into a nursing home or community-based residential facility is one of the most difficult choices a family can make, particularly when these facilities face significant challenges themselves. Many are plagued by a chronic shortage of compassionate and dedicated staff, leading to instances of abuse and neglect. This not only diminishes the quality of life for our seniors but can also hasten their decline and death, making the care they receive a pivotal factor in their final years.

The state of senior care in America is at a critical juncture. With alarming facts coming to light about the deficiencies in elder care, the need for reform has never been more urgent. It is imperative that we address these issues head-on, advocating for policies that prioritize the health, dignity, and rights of our aging population. Families across the United States are grappling with these realities daily, and it is our responsibility to ensure that our society evolves to provide better care options that respect the wishes and needs of the elderly and their families.

Navigating the Challenges of the Sandwich Generation

Welcome to another engaging episode of "Kare Facts," streaming on the Wake Your Ask Up podcast. I’m your host, Tam Lawrence, a former State of Wisconsin Lobbyist, Media Mogul, and a public relations veteran with 18 years of experience. Today, we delve into a pressing issue: the failure of state agencies to adequately report and respond to dangers reported by families in senior care facilities.



In this episode, we'll discuss a troubling case involving the Department of Aging’s investigation into Cornerstone of Oak Creek. This facility attempted to wrongfully evict my mother. When the eviction failed, Taylor Dean, the office manager, seemingly sanctioned her neglect, leading to staff abuse. This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s part of a broader pattern of negligence. We will explore why state-run agencies often defend corrupt, abusive, and substandard nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and community residential-based facilities.



Milwaukee County has a reputation for overlooking these issues, possibly due to a media landscape hesitant to highlight the systemic failures within Wisconsin’s senior care. We will question whether local figures like Mayor Caliver of Milwaukee or Governor Tony Evers might shed some light on these systemic issues. Let’s uncover the truth and push for the accountability that our senior citizens desperately need.



In 2022, my mother resided at Cornerstone of Oak Creek where initially, her stay was satisfactory. However, the sudden appointment of a new office manager, Taylor Dean, marked a downturn in her experience. Dean, hired to resolve previous managerial issues, began her tenure by attempting to remove residents she deemed unfit for the facility, including my mother, issuing an eviction notice right after Thanksgiving. Shocked, I contacted my mother's My Choice caseworker, Carrie Zake, who was equally astonished and immediately reached out to Dean.



Upon meeting with Dean, the eviction was abruptly rescinded under the pretext of my mother's supposedly declining health—a claim which was unfounded. It became evident that the staff was reluctant to care for her due to her requiring more attention than other residents. Dean had explicitly committed to removing my mother from the facility, employing distasteful and dishonest tactics that marred our holiday season.



Frustrated by the ongoing mistreatment, I filed a complaint with the Department of Aging. Despite providing video and audio evidence of the substandard care, the Bureau of Assisted Living concluded their investigation with no substantive findings, which was baffling given the clear evidence.



The situation escalated when my mother allegedly fell in the fitness center under suspicious circumstances shortly after the eviction notice was rescinded. I found her at Oak Creek Hospital, neglected and sitting in her own urine. After cleaning her up and returning to Cornerstone, the staff appeared surprised and unprepared for her return. During an attempt to settle her in, an assistant acted aggressively, exacerbating the hostile environment created by the new management.



Subsequently, my mother contracted coronavirus. With clear evidence from room cameras that her care was being neglected, I found her one evening in a dire state, covered in feces and urine. When I sought help, a staff member dismissively remarked that since she was moving, they were not obligated to provide care.



This series of events highlighted a gross violation of human rights, discriminatory practices, and neglect, all of which were inexplicably overlooked by the State of Wisconsin. The ordeal at Cornerstone of Oak Creek not only inflicted severe emotional distress but also underscored the urgent need for accountability and reform in senior care management.

Cornerstone of Oak Creek: Abuse of Power & the Aging - the State of Wisconsin Denies Complaints

Welcome to our groundbreaking podcast episode, where we delve deep into one of the most captivating and eye-opening interviews to date. Prepare to be stunned as we uncover shocking revelations about aging and probate courts that will leave you reeling. This compelling discussion will challenge your perceptions and encourage you to reconsider the importance of investigating these critical matters. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking conversation that sheds light on potential consequences you won't want to ignore. Tune in now for an unforgettable experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Why I Cared to Start Kare Facts: Founder Interview

Introducing "Wake Your Ask Up with Tam Lawrence," the thought-provoking podcast that dares to challenge the status quo and ignite change. Join your host, Tam Lawrence, as she fearlessly dives into the depths of societal issues, seeking to wake up the dormant questions that lie within us all. With a captivating blend of insight, passion, and a touch of humor, Tam Lawrence provides a refreshing perspective on a wide range of topics that matter most to us.

In this relaunch kick-off episode, Tam Lawrence fearlessly tackles the theme of failed leadership. With an unwavering commitment to truth and justice, she exposes the flaws and shortcomings of leaders across various domains, exploring the impact of their actions on individuals and communities alike. With compelling stories, engaging interviews, and thought-provoking analysis, this short episode serves as a powerful reminder of the dire consequences that result from a lack of effective leadership.

Prepare to have your assumptions challenged and your mind awakened as Tam Lawrence fearlessly confronts the issues that have long been swept under the rug. "Wake Your Ask Up with Tam Lawrence" is not just a podcast; it's a rallying cry for change, urging listeners to embrace their own power and demand accountability from those in positions of authority. Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and motivated to take action like never before.