AARP Hearing Center
Planning Saves You Money: Alexandria Residents Get Advice on Protecting Their Assets
Ed Kemp
Take it from the elder law professionals: “You are actually saving money by planning.”
How many people know this wise counsel but forget it when making their own health choices or putting a financial estate in order?
More than 300 Greater Alexandria residents on June 6 heard from law enforcement, lawyers, bankers and the city's public benefits chief as part of the fifteenth annual program of the Alexandria Bar Association (ABA) and Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) on issues crucial to older adults. This program, conceived by the Senior Lawyers Conference of the Virginia State Bar and hosted by the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, was also supported by AARP which was represented at the event.
The theme this year was “Confidence and Clarity as You Age.” Three panels covered being aware of fraud targeting older victims, knowing the necessary documents to guide your health care decisions in case of incapacity and to safeguard your assets, and taking advantage of utilizing the public benefits earned by you and your tax dollars.
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
1. Fraud prevention. Think you are smart enough to avoid being scammed? You would be surprised how many older adults are being tricked.
Alexandria Detective Michael Parent and local bank vice president Sheldon Turner reported on several common scams that have ensnared local residents. In one typical romance scam, an individual lost half a million dollars to someone they had only met online in a relationship that lasted several years.
A key take-away for Kathi Trepper, an Alexandria resident who attended the program, was knowing the Alexandria Police Department is working to prevent and investigate scams. “It gives seniors a feeling of comfort,” she said, knowing that law enforcement is involved in tackling the plethora of scams facing community members.
Turner advised the audience not to use personal checks when paying bills, as checks can be stolen in the mail service and manipulated so that your funds go to another payee. Instead, he advised switching to electronic transfers. Also, beware of a caller claiming to be your bank’s representative. Phone your bank immediately and verify what the caller is telling you.
2. Estate planning. “Avoid the court as much as possible.”
Executing your own will and trust with a lawyer’s advice can save both time and money for you and your heirs. If your assets end up in probate court, it can take several years for court-appointed executors to track every potential heir and pay off all expenses. Elizabeth Crego from Legal Services of Northern Virginia and Gretchyn G. Meinken from a local law firm walked the audience through the most basic documents to set up estate planning:
- Advance Medical Directive
- General Durable Power of Attorney
- Last Will and Testament
For many people, a Revocable Trust is a good option. In a Revocable Trust, you place all your assets into a trust account during your lifetime and retain complete control over the property.
Mental capacity is an consideration when executing these final legal documents. The attorney will likely assess the mental state of the client to ensure their decisions are sound. Crego said that relatives who accompany the individual to a legal consultation should expect to answer questions independently.
Where can someone turn for free legal advice in preparing wills? Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) can provide limited initial services but not trusts or complicated estate planning. The service is available to low-income individuals, persons with disabilities, or those over 60 years of age. Retired veterans can get free legal assistance and limited estate planning services (i.e., no revocable trusts or complicated estate plans). Contact the Veterans Legal Assistance Office at Fort Meyer, Quantico, or Fort Belvoir.
There are several ways to avoid some or all of your assets going through the probate process. Besides a revocable trust, the presenters mentioned joint ownership with right of survivorship. The asset (such as a bank account or real estate) becomes the sole property of the other owner (or survivor) when the individual passes away without any other required actions. However, unlike a trust, joint ownership does not protect against the joint owner from using the money while the other owner is still alive.
3. Utilize federal benefits. “You have earned them so use them.”
As the final panelists of the day, Chief of Public Benefits at Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Service Doressa Warren and Bob Blancato, president of a local law firm, explained Federal H.R. 1 legislation (enacted July 4, 2025) includes changes to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility requirements. Most Virginians age 65 and older are exempt from the new Medicaid work requirements or SNAP work requirements. The greatest impact of H.R. 1 is on working-age adults under 65.
An estimated 7.8 million older adults receive a monthly financial allowance for food purchases through SNAP. The average SNAP benefit for an older adult living alone is $188 per month. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is available to those 60 years and older earning less than $2000 per month. They can pick up a box of nutritious food at the local food bank or senior meal program. With the number of farmers’ markets in the area, one further option for those 60 years and older earning less than $2,400 per month is the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Those eligible receive a monthly voucher to use at their local farmer’s market.
The organizers behind Senior Law Day, Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA), have a mission to “to foster independence and self-sufficiency, enabling seniors within the City of Alexandria to age with dignity.” SSA operates senior nutrition programs including Meals on Wheels and Groceries-to-Go, handles Virginia Department of Transportation reservations for the city, and presents educational programs including a monthly speaker series, the Senior Academy, and the Senior Ambassador program. More information about what they provide can be found at https://seniorservicesalex.org.
AARP Membership
Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
More From AARP
Steer Clear of Traffic Violation Scams
texts claiming you owe money for a traffic or parking violation.
The Affordable Medicine Act
Could Save Virginians Nearly $100 Million Annually
Fraud Prevention Meets Wine Tasting in NoVa
If you’re a wine lover, you might pair a cabernet franc with a spicy pasta or grilled lamb chops. But how about tying it to a little knowledge about cryptocurrency fraud?