SENIOR LIVING Partner Insights
IT’S AN HONOR TO SERVE
THOSE WHO SERVED
At The Bristal Assisted Living, we are privileged to celebrate the legacies of our residents, especially the brave men and women who have defended our freedom. Their courage and camaraderie inspire us all.
This Veterans Day, we pay heartfelt tribute to their service and sacrifice. It’s their stories, their spirit, and their unwavering dedication that make our communities truly extraordinary.
We honor their contributions with deep gratitude, today and every day.
Scan the QR Code to learn more about our veteran discount & other available resources or visit: thebristal.com/saluting-veterans
TRUSTED JOURNALISM AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
Proudly providing legal services since 1971.
Results.
At Cuddy & Feder we pride ourselves on our reputation for quality, substantive ties to community leaders, stakeholders and decision makers — built on the caliber of our work — and for bringing deep industry knowledge, compassion and experience to bear in service of our clients’ goals. We’re your strategic advisors, addressing not only your legal needs but your business and personal ones as well. As a mid-sized law firm, our size is an invaluable asset. It makes us judicious in our hiring and our commitment to diversity and teamwork is truly reflected in our tight-knit team.
It also offers our associates and overall staff greater exposure to sophisticated, challenging and varied work and opportunities for advancement. Our attorneys help local, regional, national and multinational clients alike identify and implement nuanced solutions to complex legal challenges in each of our key practice areas: corporate; energy and environment; finance; land use, zoning and development; litigation; nonprofit organizations; real estate; telecommunications; and trusts, estates and elder law. We are proud of the successful resolutions, innovative legal solutions and nuanced strategies we provide for our clients. Our team’s shared breadth of legal and industry know-how makes us well suited to navigate the fast-paced, ever-changing corporate, political and legal landscapes to help you tackle your most complex legal challenges and see you through to your desired results.
INDEPENDENT LIVING
We offer all the comforts of a retirement community on a rental basis – with no entrance fees or long-term commitments – in your choice of townhomes, apartments, and studios.
ASSISTED LIVING
Our residents have everything at hand and every opportunity to live their own life, on their terms. These apartments come complete with the supports and services a resident may require.
MEMO RY CARE
At Wartburg’s Berkemeier Living Center we are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support for individuals with memory issues, ensuring a life of comfort, dignity, and joy.
ADULT DAY CARE
Whether your family chooses the social model or finds that the additional healthcare support of our medical model better meets your needs, you will have peace of mind knowing your loved one is in a nurturing, caring environment they are sure to enjoy.
REHABILITATION
Our care focuses on maximizing the independence of every patient. Our dedicated staff has many years of experience and the put that experience to work for every patient every day. We create an intensive therapy regimen for each individual that is based on their needs and goals – focused on a speedy recovery.
The Importance of Trust and Estate Planning
Understanding Our Clients’ Needs
Cummings & Lockwood attorneys have considerable experience assisting individuals, families and business owners develop comprehensive estate plans and translate their success into a meaningful and lasting legacy.
As a result, we understand the variety of issues our clients face and the inevitable questions that arise when planning for the future:
• Who will manage my assets and affairs if I am unable to do so and/or after my death?
• How do I provide for my surviving spouse, as well as for my children and grandchildren?
• How do I protect my personal, financial and business assets?
• What is the best way to transition my wealth or business to the next generation?
• How do I minimize or avoid significant taxes?
• Should I donate money to various charities or establish a private foundation or other charitable entity?
Core Components of an Estate Plan
The core elements of an estate plan include:
• Wi ll: A legal document that specifies how you want your assets distributed after your death and can name
an executor to manage your estate and guardians for minor children.
• T rusts: A legal arrangement to hold and manage assets for beneficiaries. A living trust, for example, can help avoid the lengthy probate process.
• Powers of Attorney: Grants someone the authority to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself.
• Healthcare Directives: Also known as a living will or advance health care directive, this document states your wishes for medical care, especially if you are terminally ill or incapacitated.
• Beneficiary Designations: The process of naming individuals who will directly inherit specific assets, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts, outside of a will.
How We Can Help
Cummings & Lockwood’s private clients attorneys offer a full suite of services:
• Estate planning and administration
• P robate administration
• T rust formation and management
• Estate, income and gift tax planning
• Beneficiary representation
• F iduciary and trustee services
• Wealth protection planning
• Charitable giving and private foundation advice
• Special needs planning
• Business succession planning
Delivering Value to Our Clients
Our estate planning attorneys can help clients:
• Achieve peace of mind that their family members will be taken care of and protected
• Ensure that their assets are distributed in accordance with their wishes and in a seamless, tax-efficient manner
• P rotect their assets from creditors and from their heirs’ creditors
• M inimize state and federal gift and estate taxes
• Efficiently fund their charitable causes
• Ensure the proper care of minors and disabled family members
• P rovide stability and management during times of incapacity
• Avoid probate in multiple states
• Pass their legacy on to their heirs
• Support responsible behavior by future generations