When I was one of younger folk of the family, we regularly referred to the elder family members as wrinklies (pronounced “rĭngk – lēz”). Now that I am older, I be one, and my kids do not hesitate to remind …
Currently browsing Elder Law
Medicare Enrollment Starts October 15
You have probably seen the Medicare Advantage Plan commercials on the television. It is now the time of year to review your Medicare plans if you are over the age of 65. It is also the time of year for …
Changes to Spousal Medicaid Qualification
August was turbulent month for new Medicaid applicants. Until August 15, 2014, if your spouse went into the nursing home, and the two of you had any assets above the Medicaid limits, you could protect those assets by transferring them …
Trust Your Trust
The use of trusts as an estate planning tool has become more prevalent over the last few years. There are, however, still many misconceptions about the use of trusts. Many believe that trusts should only be used if taxpayers have …
How to Prevent Conflicts About Medical Care in Your Family
I continue to get questions regarding estate planning basics. So I will continue with a discussion about making healthcare decisions. Have you ever thought about who would make your medical or mental healthcare treatment decisions if you could not because …
Long-Term Care Insurance-Why
Should you buy long-term care insurance? That is a complicated question that is not easy to answer. But before you can even start to answer that question, you have to know what long-term care insurance is. Long-term care insurance is …
Do It Yourself Plans & Bad Advice Can Wreak Havoc
If you are like 70% of Americans, you have no formal estate plan. However, after receiving free advice from others, you may have attempted a do-it-yourself estate plan using joint ownership, beneficiary designations and/or quit claim deeds. Although this advice …
Medical Decision Making for Young Adult Children
It is the high school graduation season and now time for my annual column for young adults. If you have any adult high school or college aged children, they are responsible for making their own medical and mental healthcare decisions. …
MI DNR Act
You or your loved one may have a do-not-resuscitate (“DNR”) order. A DNR order is a document that sets forth your wishes of no resuscitation or other heroic measures in the event your heartbeat or breathing stops. In such a …
Medicaid and Your Home
You or your spouse is in a nursing home. You were told, incorrectly, that you had to spend down your assets on nursing home care except for your home, and you did. Will you be able to keep your home? …