At Axis Estate Planning, we believe that planning ahead brings peace of mind — whether you’re preparing for retirement, managing inherited assets, or facing life’s unexpected challenges such as Alzheimer’s disease. As we near the end of 2025, two topics are shaping many families’ financial and legal decisions: the real-world impact of the SECURE 2.0 Act and the growing importance of proactive estate planning for those living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Secure 2.0: The Good, the Confusing, and the Lessons Learned
When Congress passed the SECURE 2.0 Act in late 2022, it aimed to make saving for retirement easier and more flexible. Now that we’ve lived with these rules for a while, we can see what’s working — and what still needs clarification.
What’s Working
- Later Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
Retirees now have until age 73 (and eventually 75, beginning in 2033) before they must begin taking distributions from IRAs and other retirement accounts. This extra time allows for more tax-deferred growth and smarter withdrawal strategies. - Bigger Catch-Up Contributions.
Starting in 2025, individuals aged 60–63 will be able to contribute more to their retirement plans. This update gives those who may have taken time off work or had saving gaps a chance to build stronger financial security before retirement. - Employer Matching on Student Loan Payments.
Younger employees paying down student loans can now benefit from employer retirement matches — even if they aren’t contributing directly to a retirement account. This thoughtful change helps new professionals start long-term saving sooner.
What’s Not Working (Yet)
- Confusing Beneficiary Rules.
The elimination of “stretch IRAs” and the introduction of the 10-year payout rule have caused widespread confusion — especially regarding trusts and required annual withdrawals. Even with new IRS proposals, families remain uncertain about how to comply. - Roth Catch-Up Contribution Challenges.
The rule requiring high-income earners to make catch-up contributions as Roth deposits has proven difficult to implement for many employers, leading to administrative headaches and delays. - Missed Opportunities for Coordination.
Many savers haven’t adjusted their estate plans to align with the SECURE 2.0 updates. Changes to RMD timing, Roth conversions, and charitable giving can significantly impact tax efficiency and inheritance planning — especially for those considering Medicaid eligibility in Michigan.
Practical Takeaways
- Review Beneficiary Designations. Outdated stretch IRA plans may no longer apply under current rules.
- Revisit Withdrawal Strategies. The later RMD age could open doors for strategic Roth conversions or qualified charitable distributions.
- Coordinate with Your Estate Plan. Ensure your trusts and estate documents still reflect your goals and today’s tax laws.
- Ask About Employer Updates. Confirm how your workplace handles Roth contributions and student loan matching.
At Axis Estate Planning, we help clients weave together their retirement, tax, and estate planning strategies so each works in harmony — not in conflict.
Estate Planning and Alzheimer’s Disease: Protecting Dignity Through Preparation
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can feel overwhelming. At Axis Estate Planning, we understand the emotional weight that comes with caring for a loved one — or receiving the diagnosis yourself. One of the most empowering steps you can take is putting a comprehensive estate plan in place early, while decisions can still be made with clarity and confidence.
Why Timing Matters
Legal capacity — the ability to understand and communicate one’s wishes — is essential in estate planning. Because Alzheimer’s is progressive, acting early ensures your or your loved one’s choices are protected before the disease advances.
Essential Documents for Alzheimer’s Planning
- Durable Power of Attorney for Finances – Lets trusted agents handle finances safely and responsibly.
- Health Care Power of Attorney (Health Care Proxy) – Appoints someone to make medical decisions in alignment with your wishes.
- Living Will – Clarifies preferences about life-sustaining treatment and comfort care.
- Dementia-Specific Advance Directive – Provides clear care guidance across different stages of Alzheimer’s.
- Last Will and Testament and/or Revocable Trust – Directs how assets are distributed and ensures your legacy is honored.
Without these documents, families may be forced into guardianship or conservatorship proceedings, which are time-consuming, costly, and emotionally taxing. With the right planning, you can spare your loved ones from this burden.
How Axis Estate Planning Can Help
Our attorneys specialize in helping Michigan families:
- Protect assets from long-term care costs.
- Draft or update advance directives and care plans.
- Appoint trusted decision-makers.
- Avoid guardianship when possible.
- Ensure all documents comply with Michigan law.
Planning Ahead Brings Peace of Mind
Whether you’re navigating the changes of the SECURE 2.0 Act or preparing for the challenges of Alzheimer’s, the common thread is the need for a coordinated, forward-thinking plan.
At Axis Estate Planning, our mission is to help you protect your family, your assets, and your peace of mind.
Visit Us: 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 105, Troy, MI 48084
Call Us: (248) 251-1001
Learn More: www.axisattorneys.com
At Axis Estate Planning, we understand how life changes when Alzheimer’s disease enters the picture. Whether you’ve received a diagnosis yourself or are caring for a loved one, the emotional and practical challenges are immense. Among the most critical steps you can take is putting a solid estate plan in place.
Estate planning isn’t just recommended in this situation — it becomes essential to safeguard autonomy, assets, and dignity.
Why Timing Matters
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and hasn’t yet created vital estate planning documents — such as a will, durable powers of attorney, or advance directives — the time to act is now.
Legal capacity — the ability to understand what you’re signing, the consequences of those decisions, and to express your wishes freely — is central to this process. While most individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s retain capacity, the disease is progressive. Waiting too long can mean losing the ability to make legally binding choices.
Essential Legal Tools for Alzheimer’s Planning
An effective estate plan should include:
- Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
Allows trusted agents to manage financial matters when it’s no longer safe or practical to do so independently. - Health Care Power of Attorney (Health Care Proxy)
Authorizes someone you trust to make medical decisions that align with your values and preferences. - Living Will
Outlines your wishes for life-sustaining treatment, feeding interventions, resuscitation, and comfort care. - Dementia-Specific Advance Directive
Provides guidance for your care preferences across different stages of Alzheimer’s, ensuring your voice is honored even as the disease progresses. - Last Will and Testament and/or Revocable Trust
Directs how your assets will be distributed, while appointing executors or trustees to carry out your intentions.
What Happens Without a Plan
If these documents aren’t in place — or if there’s confusion about what was intended — families may need to pursue guardianship or conservatorship. This requires going to court for someone to be appointed to make decisions on your behalf. While sometimes necessary, it often comes with higher costs, court oversight, and a loss of personal control.
How Axis Estate Planning Can Help
Our team guides families through every step of this process:
- Protecting assets from the high costs of long-term care.
- Drafting or updating advance directives that reflect your wishes.
- Helping you choose and empower trusted agents.
- Considering guardianship only when absolutely necessary.
- Ensuring your plan meets all Michigan legal requirements.
The Real Goal: Dignity and Peace of Mind
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings uncertainty — but it doesn’t have to bring chaos. With the right estate plan, you and your family can protect what matters most: your choices, your independence, and your peace of mind.
Axis Estate Planning is here to support you every step of the way.
Visit Us: 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 105, Troy, MI 48084
Call Us: (248) 251-1001
Learn More: www.axisattorneys.com
Bringing up money with your parents can feel awkward—but at Axis Estate Planning, we know that these conversations are one of the most caring steps you can take for your family.
Clear, open communication today can prevent misunderstandings, reduce emotional stress, and ensure your parents’ wishes are carried out with confidence.
Why These Conversations Matter
The financial choices your parents make today affect not only their well-being but also the stability of future generations. Without planning:
- A sudden nursing home stay could quickly deplete savings.
- Unclear inheritance instructions might cause disputes among siblings.
- Outdated beneficiary designations could leave loved ones unintentionally excluded.
Estate planning provides the framework to prevent these issues and protect both independence and legacy.
Balance Enjoyment and Protection
Your parents worked hard for what they have, and they should use it to live fully—whether that means traveling, pursuing hobbies, or enjoying peace of mind.
Thoughtful estate planning ensures that enjoying life today doesn’t unintentionally jeopardize tomorrow. With the right tools, such as trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, parents can protect against long-term care costs and unexpected medical expenses while still embracing the lifestyle they’ve earned.
What Families Should Clarify
You don’t need to know every account balance—but you do need clarity on the essentials:
- Who has legal authority to make financial or medical decisions if a parent cannot.
- How long-term care would be financed, and whether Medicaid planning might be part of the strategy.
- Whether wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations are current.
- How parents want their legacy to be carried forward across generations.
The Best Time to Talk is Now
The best time to have these discussions is before a crisis. When illness or incapacity arises suddenly, emotions run high and options become limited. Having documents in place ensures decisions are made with intention, not under pressure.
The Real Goal: Peace of Mind
Conversations about money may never feel easy, but they are ultimately an act of love and care. By encouraging parents to create or update their estate plan, families can find the right balance: allowing parents to enjoy the life they’ve built while protecting their legacy for generations to come.
Plan for the future and protect your family’s peace of mind.
Visit Us: 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 105, Troy, MI 48084
Call Us: (248) 251-1001
Learn More: www.axisattorneys.com
At Axis Estate Planning, we recognize the emotional and practical challenges families face when confronting a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis. As of 2025, Alzheimer’s disease continues to be the most common form of dementia, accounting for approximately 60% to 80% of all dementia cases worldwide. In the United States alone, an estimated 7.2 million adults aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. That number is expected to nearly double—reaching 13.8 million by 2060—unless a medical breakthrough changes the course of this disease.
This increase is far more than a statistic. It represents a rising public health challenge that affects entire families, communities, and the way we prepare for the future.
Dementia: The Broader Category
Dementia is not a single disease—it is a term used to describe a wide range of cognitive impairments that interfere with daily life. These conditions impact memory, language, judgment, and reasoning. Dementia includes several disorders, such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
Symptoms can include confusion, forgetfulness, communication difficulties, and impaired decision-making. At Axis Estate Planning, we often help families understand what these symptoms may mean in both medical and legal contexts.
Alzheimer’s: A Leading Cause of Cognitive Decline
Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. It is caused by the accumulation of abnormal proteins in and around brain cells, resulting in a gradual decline in memory, behavior, and physical function.
Certain populations are more affected than others:
- Older adults: Approximately 74% of people with Alzheimer’s are age 75 or older
- Women: Nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients are women
- Communities of color: Older Black Americans are about twice as likely, and older Hispanic Americans about 1.5 times as likely, to develop Alzheimer’s compared to older white Americans
These disparities make it even more critical to ensure early diagnosis, proper care access, and culturally aware legal support. At Axis Estate Planning, we are committed to helping all families navigate these sensitive challenges with care and respect.
The Impact on Caregivers
Dementia doesn’t just affect those diagnosed—it affects the caregivers who support them every day. Family members, often unpaid and untrained, carry the emotional and physical burden of care. While many individuals with dementia prefer to remain at home, caregiving can become increasingly demanding.
Thankfully, many senior living facilities now offer memory care units, which include:
- Secure environments tailored for dementia patients
- Structured, memory-enhancing activities
- Personalized care plans
- Support with daily living in a way that preserves dignity
Axis Estate Planning frequently advises clients on choosing facilities that align with a loved one’s care needs and long-term goals.
The Legal Side of Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Planning ahead is crucial when facing a progressive diagnosis like Alzheimer’s. As the condition worsens, individuals may lose the ability to make legal or financial decisions. Establishing foundational legal documents early—while your loved one is still capable of making decisions—ensures that their wishes are respected and their assets are protected.
Essential documents include:
- Powers of Attorney
- Healthcare Directives
- Living Wills
- Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
These tools not only offer peace of mind but also reduce stress during future medical or legal emergencies. Axis Estate Planning works closely with families to craft plans that reflect each person’s values, care preferences, and financial realities.
Let Axis Estate Planning Help You Plan with Confidence
If you or someone you love is facing a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis, you don’t have to navigate the legal and care-related complexities alone. At Axis Estate Planning, we provide thoughtful, compassionate guidance to help families secure the support their loved ones need—while protecting their legacy and future.
Visit Us: 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 105, Troy, MI 48084
Call Us: (248) 251-1001
Learn More: www.axisattorneys.com
Axis Estate Planning
Trusted. Thoughtful. Here for what matters most.
Finding Peace, Purpose, and Empowerment Through Estate Planning
Receiving a terminal diagnosis is a life-altering moment—one that comes with a surge of emotions and an avalanche of uncertainty. But in the midst of the unknown, there is a path to clarity. With thoughtful estate planning, you can take meaningful steps to protect your loved ones, ensure your wishes are honored, and create a lasting legacy of love and intention.
At Axis Estate Planning, we are here to walk beside you—offering trusted guidance, compassionate support, and the legal tools you need to plan with confidence.
Secure Your Legacy with a Review of Your Current Plan
If you already have an estate plan in place, this is the time to revisit it. Wills, trusts, and other essential documents should reflect your current wishes and the unique needs of your family. Small updates can make a significant impact—ensuring your assets pass exactly how you intend and minimizing any confusion or delays for your loved ones.
Beneficiary designations—often overlooked—should also be reviewed. These are critical on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial assets. One mismatched name or outdated form can derail even the most well-crafted estate plan.
And if you have a trust, don’t forget to fund it properly. This means retitling or transferring intended assets into the trust’s name, ensuring they are managed and distributed according to your instructions.
Empower Your Advocates with Powers of Attorney
When facing serious illness, making sure you have powers of attorney in place is essential. A financial power of attorney gives someone you trust the ability to manage your finances, pay bills, and handle property if you become unable to do so.
Equally important is a healthcare power of attorney—someone who can speak for you when you can’t speak for yourself. Pair this with a living will that outlines your wishes around medical care, especially in regard to life-sustaining measures. This relieves your loved ones from the heavy burden of guessing what you would want.
Explore Trust Strategies That Fit Your Family’s Needs
Depending on your circumstances, various trusts can offer security and peace of mind. A revocable living trust can help avoid probate and provide smooth asset management. If you have minor children or dependents with special needs, a trust ensures their care is handled with compassion and financial responsibility.
In some cases, irrevocable trusts can offer protections for long-term care planning and Medicaid eligibility. Every family is unique—working with an experienced estate planning attorney can help tailor the right approach for your situation.
Prepare for Long-Term Care While Protecting What Matters
If nursing home care may be needed, Medicaid planning becomes a crucial part of your estate strategy. While the rules are complex, there are ways to preserve assets for a spouse or family while still qualifying for benefits. Proactive planning can help prevent unnecessary financial strain and give your family more security during a difficult time.
Create a Legacy of Love and Intention
Estate planning isn’t only about legal documents—it’s about the memories, messages, and meaning you leave behind. Whether it’s charitable giving, writing a letter of wishes, or recording a heartfelt message for your loved ones, these personal touches can be more valuable than any asset.
They are a reflection of who you are, what you believe, and how you wish to be remembered.
Let Axis Estate Planning Help You Find Peace of Mind
While it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, delaying action can create more stress for your loved ones down the road. At Axis Estate Planning, we help individuals and families navigate these decisions with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Let us help you put the pieces in place—so you can focus on what truly matters: cherishing time with those you love and embracing the comfort of knowing your wishes will be honored.
📍 Visit Us: 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 105, Troy, MI 48084
📞 Call Us: (248) 251-1001
🌐 Learn More: www.axisattorneys.com
Let us help you plan for your family’s future with confidence and peace of mind.
