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Notes From The Field
December 2025
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Aging With Dignity Navigating Health Care for Your Golden Years
One of the biggest concerns families have, both for themselves and their loved ones, is ensuring they can access the best health care and support as they age. Too many people have horror stories about the care their loved ones received at the end of their lives, and many more feel paralyzed by the system entirely. Given my specialties in estate planning and elder law, I want to share important guidance about how you can best prepare before it’s too late. There are also changes coming in 2026 that affect access to long-term care that are worth reviewing if you live in California. Being informed about your options for health care as you age is one of the most important tasks you can accomplish while you are healthy. Many people worry they will go broke paying for nursing home care. When it comes to addressing this concern, there are four basic options for paying for nursing home care. 1. Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a helpful strategy when it comes to paying for nursing home care. If you have a long-term care policy, it may cover a great deal of your nursing home care. The problem is this: To qualify for long-term care coverage, you
must be in good health. Unfortunately, many families and individuals do not plan early enough in their life to capture the full benefits at an affordable cost. High premiums at most ages are likely why there are still relatively few people who have long-term care insurance. If you choose to include this as part of your planning, we recommend purchasing long-term care insurance before you turn 55 to capture a lower rate. 2. Self-Pay: This is the way many people fund their nursing home care, at least initially. They pay out of pocket until their savings are depleted, then they apply for Medicaid. While it is good to have enough funds set aside to cover any future needs, it is not always feasible for families to adequately prepare for the potential costs. Many families need to work with a qualified financial coach to ensure their investments and financial plan match their plans and needs.
residents, meaning that the exact criteria you must meet to qualify for Medicaid can vary from one state to the next. Beyond cost, it is worth having conversations with your loved ones and agents about the type of care you want to receive. There are many forms of care that tailor to a wide range of needs, and it’s important to be clear about what you do and do not want. Some individuals choose to stay in their house and get in-home care, while others prefer the access and activities of a seniors-only community. Whatever you choose, the best thing you can do is clearly state your wishes. If you are unsure about the types of care you would be willing to receive, you should talk with a professional to better understand the options available to you. Lastly, most non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs are seeing a major change in eligibility that could affect many Californians. Despite removing this stipulation, Medi-Cal has confirmed that it will be reinstating the asset limitations. As of Jan. 1, 2026, individuals must have less than $130,000 and couples less than $195,000 in order to be eligible. Several types of assets do not count toward this limitation; however, if you have concerns for yourself or a loved one, please contact our office to discuss alternative options. We know that dealing with health care as you get older is difficult work. Remember, you are not alone in navigating that process. If you have questions about making sure your estate plan and investments are best suited to your long-term needs, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
3. Medicare: Many people assume
Medicare will pay for nursing home care. The truth is that Medicare provides very limited coverage for skilled nursing care. It is available only if you meet certain very strict requirements, and it only covers costs for a short period of time. 4. Medicaid: With the cost of nursing home care too high for most people to fund on their own, Medicaid has become the default long-term care insurance plan for the middle class. The Medicaid program provides health care coverage for certain groups of people (including those over age 65) who have restricted incomes and resources. The federal government provides partial funding for the program, and it sets the overall Medicaid guidelines. Each state interprets and applies the guidelines for its own
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SHINY, SLEEK, AND ADDICTIVE The Science of Gadget Obsession
There’s something thrilling about unboxing a new gadget. The shimmer of the screen, the sleekness of the design, the moment you first power it on … it’s a rush. Behind this excitement, many psychological triggers pull us toward the upgrade cycle. The Pull of Novelty We’re hardwired to chase newness. Psychologists call it neophilia, an attraction
to fresh experiences. Gadgets deliver that hit of novelty: sharper cameras, faster processors, and cutting-edge features that feel like a leap forward. These upgrades don’t just make life easier; they signal progress and feed our innate desire for self-improvement. Studies show people are far more likely to upgrade if the new version feels substantially different from the last. Marketing and Social Influence Of course, the tech industry feeds on this craving. Marketing campaigns frame every release as revolutionary. They want us to feel left behind if we don’t buy the latest model. Social media piles on the pressure, with influencers and peers flaunting the latest devices. Then there’s FOMO (fear of missing out) that makes sticking with last year’s model feel worse; we’re no longer part of the in-crowd. Personality and Identity Not everyone upgrades for the same reasons. Some of us are natural thrill-seekers who love
being first in line, even if it means dealing with buggy operating systems. Others see technology as an extension of identity: Owning the newest gadget becomes a badge of honor for the forward-thinking and tech-savvy. For these buyers, the purchase is less about functionality and more about aligning with innovation. Convenience Over Mastery Sometimes, buying is easier than learning. Mastering the quirks of an older device can feel like a chore, while a newer model promises smoother, more intuitive use. Many people convince themselves that an upgrade isn’t an indulgence but a convenience. The Hidden Cost Frequent upgrades carry consequences. Perfectly functional devices often end up in drawers or landfills, adding to the growing mountains of e-waste. Before chasing the next shiny release, it’s worth asking: Do we really need it, or are we chasing novelty, status, and validation at a hidden cost?
As 2025 ends, I want to take a moment to thank you, our clients, for being part of our community. We recognize that it is a privilege to be your trusted advisor, helping you navigate the most challenging conversations surrounding family and legacy. Through the years, I am reminded that you are the reason we do what we do. When I set out to become a lawyer, I hoped to help families avoid the pain and loss that my family experienced due to poor legal advice leading up to my granddad’s passing. I have been passionate about helping families create and preserve a legacy of freedom, fulfillment, and love. Looking back on my nearly two decades of this work, I am proud of what our community has become. Your trust in my team and me has fortified our commitment to you and other families in need of legal guidance. Looking forward to 2026, I am excited to discover what is possible for each of you and for the families we have yet to meet. We look forward to celebrating the coming joys with you, whether it’s your family growing, moving to a new home or community, or pursuing new passions, and also mourning losses you may experience. Whatever your new year looks like, we hope you and your family have the peace of mind you deserve. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of the Field Law Family. A SPECIAL THANK YOU
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The Hair- Cutting Intruder Who Terrorized a Town
TAKE A BREAK
CARDINAL COOKIES FROSTY GINGERBREAD GIFTS MENORAH MITTENS PEPPERMINT PINECONES SAGITTARIUS SNOWBALL YULE
The Disturbing Tale of the Phantom Barber
Few things in life are scarier than knowing someone has broken into your home. In an instant, your sanctuary has been violated, and you worry about a return appearance in which they could steal from you or even harm you. During the early 1940s, the community in Pascagoula, Mississippi, was terrorized by a mysterious home intruder who was not after the wealth or health of the locals. Instead, this person was after something we always keep close to us. In mid-June 1942, 11-year-old Mary Evelyn Briggs and 12-year- old Edna Marie Hydel were sound asleep in their room within the Our Lady of Victories convent. Mary Evelyn woke up to a nightmarish sight. “I saw the figure of a kinda short, fat man bending over me with something shiny in his hand, and he was fooling with my hair. When he saw me open my eyes, he said, ‘Shhh.’ I yelled, and he jumped out the window,” stated Mary Evelyn. Although the two girls were unharmed, Mary Evelyn started the next morning with fewer inches of hair. Shortly after, 6-year-old Carol Peattie woke up to find somebody had chopped her hair while she slept. The only evidence left behind was a cut screen window and a sandy footprint. Before the end of June, an adult fell victim to the phantom barber while she slept beside her husband. During this time, the suspicion that the barber was using chloroform to keep his victims still started to spread. Local businesses and law enforcement offered a reward of $400 (about $8,000 today) for information that would lead to the “barber’s” arrest. Earlier in the month, an intruder with a lead pipe had attacked a couple in their home. Police theorized the barber was behind the attack, giving them a serious crime to work with. They would go on to arrest 57-year-old William A. Dolan, an individual the community detested due to his pro-German views. He stood trial, was found guilty, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He maintained his innocence throughout his life and was released early after passing a lie detector test.
The Phantom Barber effectively disappeared after Dolan’s arrest, never to silently cut the hair of unsuspecting people again.
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P.O. Box 8306 La Crescenta, CA 91224 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
P.O. Box 910760 St. George, UT 84791
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Navigate Health Care for Your Golden Years
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The Psychological Triggers Behind Constant Upgrades
A Special Thank You
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The Legend of the Phantom Barber
The Hidden Price Tag on Clutter
We’ve all been there: staring at a closet full of clothes and thinking, “I have nothing to wear.” Or paying rent for a bigger apartment just to store things we barely use. Clutter isn’t just a space problem; it’s a money problem. Every unused subscription silently chips away at your finances. The good news is that minimalism offers a way out. Far from being about deprivation, it’s about reclaiming control of your space, spending, and savings. The Hidden Price of ‘Stuff’ Every purchase comes with two price tags: the sticker price and the hidden costs. That $50 gadget isn’t just $50; it might also mean higher credit card interest if you’re carrying debt, or another box in the attic eating up storage space. The more we accumulate, the more we pay to maintain, store, clean, and eventually replace those items. That’s where minimalism comes in. It forces us to ask: “Do I really need this, or is it just clutter in disguise?” Quality Over Quantity Minimalism doesn’t mean buying nothing. Instead, it’s about buying better. One high-quality pair of shoes can last for years, while three cheap pairs wear out quickly and cost more in the long run. Choosing durability and timeless designs over impulse buys protects your wallet and reduces waste. Simplifying Finances Clutter can even creep into your bank account. Old subscriptions, overlapping accounts, and unused memberships all nibble away at your budget. By canceling what you don’t use How Minimalism Can Save You Thousands THE COST OF CLUTTER
and streamlining your finances, you save money and reduce the mental load of tracking your bills. Downsizing Expenses One of the biggest financial wins of minimalism comes from downsizing. A smaller home or apartment doesn’t just mean lower rent or mortgage; it also slashes utilities, maintenance, insurance, and even property taxes. More Space for What Matters A clutter-free environment frees up mental bandwidth. With fewer distractions, you can focus on what truly matters: building a side hustle, nurturing relationships, or enjoying a calmer, more intentional life.
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