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Five Estate Planning Documents Every Adult Should Have

Most of us don't spend much time thinking about what would happen if we became seriously ill or couldn't make decisions for ourselves. We assume there will be time to handle those things later. Unfortunately, life doesn't always give us that opportunity. Imagine your spouse is hospitalized after an unexpected medical emergency. You need to speak with doctors, manage household finances, and make sure the bills are paid. You know what your spouse would want, but you discover that you don't have the legal authority to handle certain decisions. It's a situation no family wants to face. We understand why people put off estate planning. It's uncomfortable to think about illness, incapacity, or death, especially when life is going well. However, we've seen how much more difficult these situations can become when families don't have appropriate legal documents in place. Without proper planning, loved ones may face delays, uncertainty, or the need for court involvement to obtain authority to manage certain affairs. We want to help families throughout Greenwood, Center Grove, and Southside Indianapolis prepare for these possibilities. Whether you need your first will, updated powers of attorney, healthcare planning documents, or want to explore whether a trust makes sense, our team can help you understand your options and develop a plan tailored to your circumstances. You don't need to wait for a health scare or family emergency to begin. Contact Vick Law to schedule an estate planning consultation. Vick Law, P.C. Estate Planning | Elder Law | Medicaid Planning 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142
10/31/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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Inherited Your Spouse's IRA? Why Accepting the Money Isn't Always the Best Decision

At Vick Law, we help Greenwood and Southside Indianapolis families navigate estate planning decisions that can have lasting consequences for the people they love. An inherited IRA may appear straightforward at first. Yet the beneficiary designations, timing requirements, tax considerations, and surviving spouse's financial circumstances can make the decision more complicated than expected. If you've recently inherited an IRA, or want to make sure your own retirement accounts are properly addressed in your estate plan, contact Vick Law to discuss your circumstances. Vick Law, P.C. Estate Planning | Elder Law | Medicaid Planning 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 884-3133 Serving families throughout Greenwood, Center Grove, Johnson County, and Southside Indianapolis.
10/22/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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A New Grandchild? It May Be Time to Update Your Estate Plan

Grandparents the world over are often over the moon when their first grandchild is born. Our Greenwood estate planning attorneys help individuals and families review existing wills and trusts, consider inheritance provisions for grandchildren, and explore planning strategies that reflect their circumstances. Depending on your goals, that may involve updating beneficiary provisions, creating trusts for younger beneficiaries, considering special needs planning, or reviewing how your estate plan addresses the unexpected death of an adult child. You don't need to have a large estate to benefit from thoughtful planning. For many families, the most important goal is simply knowing that the people they love have been considered and that the documents reflect their wishes. A new grandchild brings plenty of reasons to celebrate. It may also be the perfect reminder to take another look at the plans you've made for your family's future. Contact Vick Law to schedule a conversation about your estate planning needs. Vick Law, P.C. Estate Planning | Elder Law | Medicaid Planning 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 884-3133
10/21/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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She Planned Her Own Funeral 20 Years Before She Died. Her Family Was Grateful She Did.

Funeral expenses can add up quickly; understanding what’s required and what’s optional can help you make informed decisions during a difficult time. At Vick Law we can also help you understand how funeral-related wishes, decision-making authority, and certain prepaid arrangements may fit into your broader estate plan or elder law planning. You don't have to have every answer before meeting with an attorney. Sometimes the most valuable part of planning is simply having someone help you identify the questions you haven't thought to ask. If you've been putting off estate planning, consider this an opportunity to start a conversation with your family. You may find that the arrangements you make today become a source of comfort years from now. Contact Vick Law to discuss your estate planning and elder law needs. Vick Law, P.C. Estate Planning | Elder Law | Medicaid Planning 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 884-3133 Serving families throughout Greenwood, Center Grove, Johnson County, and Southside Indianapolis.
10/21/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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Scams Are Getting Smarter. Is Your Aging Parent Prepared?

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Online scams can put an older adult’s finances, personal information and privacy at risk. Simple cybersecurity habits can make it harder for criminals to gain access to accounts and sensitive information. A parent who is healthy and independent today may still benefit from having appropriate documents in place and discussing who should step in if circumstances change. We believe that planning should respect an older adult's independence while providing families with a clearer understanding of the legal tools available to help when needed. If you are concerned about an aging parent's financial safety, or simply want to make sure appropriate legal planning is in place, contact Vick Law to discuss your family's circumstances. Vick Law, P.C. Estate Planning | Elder Law | Medicaid Planning 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 884-3133
10/20/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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Meet Thomas A. Vick | Greenwood Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorney

From a solo attorney to a growing law firm, Thomas Vick is grateful for the families who have placed their trust in Vick Law. Each new client represents an opportunity to help someone think through important decisions, prepare for the future, or navigate a difficult season of life. For Thomas, the values he learned growing up with a teacher for a mother and a preacher for a father are still at the heart of his work. Listen carefully. Treat people with respect. Take your responsibilities seriously. Look for opportunities to serve. As Vick Law continues to grow, Thomas and his team look forward to building relationships with more families throughout Greenwood, Center Grove, Johnson County, and the greater Southside Indianapolis community. The firm may look different from the one-man practice Thomas started years ago, but the reason behind the work hasn't changed. Helping families care for the people they love, understand their options, and plan for what comes next. Get to Know Vick Law Whether you're starting your first estate plan, considering a trust, helping an aging parent, or facing questions about Indiana Medicaid planning, Vick Law is here to help you understand your options. Our attorneys work with individuals and families on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, probate, and related legal matters. We take the time to understand your circumstances and discuss planning strategies that fit your needs and goals. Thomas A. Vick and the entire Vick Law team look forward to serving you and your family. Contact Vick Law to schedule a consultation. Vick Law, P.C. 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 884-3133 www.vicklaw.org
10/15/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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How Do I Get a Death Certificate in Indiana?

Your father has just died, and you are trying to handle everything that comes next. The funeral home needs decisions. Family members are calling. There is a house to take care of, bills are still arriving, and you're trying to figure out what needs your attention first. Then you call the bank. “We'll need a certified copy of the death certificate.” The life insurance company asks for one too. Another financial institution may need one before it will even discuss an account with you. Suddenly, a document you may never have thought about before becomes something you need to settle your loved one's affairs. Death certificates are an important part of estate administration in Indiana. Knowing where to get certified copies, who can request them, and when you may need one can make the weeks after a death a little easier to navigate. Vick Law helps families in Greenwood, Center Grove, and surrounding communities understand the steps that may need to be taken after a death. Depending on the circumstances, that may include determining whether probate is necessary, understanding who has authority to act, identifying estate assets, addressing creditor and Medicaid Estate Recovery issues when applicable, working through real estate questions, and helping the personal representative administer the estate. You don't need to have every document organized before asking for help. If you've lost a loved one and aren't sure what comes next, contact Vick Law to schedule a consultation.
10/08/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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Can Your Estate Plan Change After You Die? How a QTIP Trust May Help Married Couples

At Vick Law, we don't start an estate planning conversation by assuming you need a particular type of trust. We begin by asking what you're trying to accomplish. If you're married, that conversation may include what you want your spouse to have if you die first, how much control the surviving spouse should have over those assets, whom you ultimately want to inherit, and whether there are children from previous relationships who need to be considered. Sometimes the concern is very specific: “I want my spouse to be taken care of, but I also want to know that what remains will eventually go to my children.” That is the kind of concern worth discussing with an estate planning attorney. We can help you understand the available options, discuss the timing and trade-offs involved, and develop an estate plan tailored to your circumstances. For some married couples, that conversation may include a QTIP trust. For others, a different strategy may make more sense. If you've been wondering whether your current estate plan would still accomplish your wishes after the first spouse dies, contact Vick Law to schedule a consultation. Vick Law, P.C. 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 884-3133
10/07/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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Someone Asked Me to Be Their Executor. Should I Say Yes?

If someone has died and named you as executor, you may be looking at a will and wondering: “What am I supposed to do now?” You don't have to know the answer before you call us. Vick Law helps personal representatives understand the Indiana probate and estate administration process and what may need to happen next. Depending on the circumstances, that may include determining whether probate is necessary, helping with the administration of the estate, identifying probate assets, addressing court requirements and creditor claims, working through questions involving real estate and other property, considering Medicaid Estate Recovery issues when applicable, and helping move the estate toward proper distribution and closing. We can also help before that day ever arrives. If you're creating or updating your own estate plan, we can talk through whom you are considering as your personal representative and whether that person is well suited for the responsibility. Vick Law can also look at how your assets are owned and how the different pieces of your estate plan work together. An estate plan should make the job more manageable for the people you are asking to carry it out. If you've been named executor of an Indiana estate, or you're deciding whom to name in your own estate plan, contact Vick Law to discuss your circumstances and understand the next steps. Vick Law, P.C. 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 884-3133
10/07/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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What Estate Planning Documents Do I Need?

What three estate planning documents do I need? Well, that depends. At Vick Law, we don’t believe estate planning should begin with a stack of documents and a list of boxes to check. It should begin with a conversation. We want to understand your family, what you own, whom you trust, what concerns you, and what you want your plan to accomplish. A young family with minor children may need to think about very different issues than a couple approaching retirement. Someone in a second marriage may have concerns that a single parent, business owner, caregiver, or family with a special needs child does not. Your plan should reflect those differences. Depending on your circumstances, that conversation may include wills, financial powers of attorney, healthcare planning documents, beneficiary designations, trusts, long-term care concerns, or other planning strategies. If you already have an estate plan, we can review what you have and discuss whether it still reflects your family, finances, and wishes. You don’t need to wait until something happens to find out whether your plan is ready. If estate planning has been sitting on your “we need to do that” list for a while, this may be a good time to finally have the conversation. Contact Vick Law online HERE or give us a call to schedule an estate planning consultation. Vick Law, P.C. 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113 Greenwood, IN 46142 (317) 884-3133
10/07/26 • by: Vick Law, P.C.
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