Lawyer offers legal guide to aging

TUCSON, July 13 (UPI) -- A U.S. lawyer has prepared a book and videos on avoiding pitfalls of aging to help those who don't know the difference between a living trust and a living will.

Kenney F. Hegland of the University of Arizona says everyone is likely to make serious, expensive and heartbreaking mistakes unless problems are anticipated.

The video segments, on topics such as raising grandchildren, sex, identifying elder abuse and other issues involving aging are at http://www.heglandlaw.com and are free. There is occasional poetry and humor, also free.

Other topics at the Web site include: Avoiding probate; wills; trusts; home care for the elderly; identity theft and scams; driving; advance healthcare directives; dealing with doctors and finding lawyers; disability in the family; legal capacity; deciding for those who can't; death in the family; disgruntled heirs; remarriage. These are available at $2.67 each.

"When I started teaching elder law, I was shocked on how many of life's problems can be avoided or dealt with successfully. Every day I hear stories of families torn apart, trying to cope with a tangle of heart-wrenching problems," Hegland says in a statement. "Like so many of us, they assumed that tomorrow would be like today. It won't be. With the information provided in the book or on the Web site, seniors and their families will, quite simply, lead happier, less stressful lives."