Finding the right attorney to plan your estate can be a significant challenge. It may be the first contact that you will ever have with an attorney. What qualities should you look for in an estate planning attorney? Do not …
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Half a Loaf is Better than None
Last week, we discussed your financial options when you are married and one of you is in a nursing home. Medicaid rules are very different when you are both in a nursing home or you are single and in a …
Medicare Alphabet Soup
If you are over the age of 65, you usually will have a red, white and blue Medicare card. However, do you understand the alphabet soup of Medicare Parts A, B, C and D? The original Medicare, and prior to …
Reverse Mortgages
You have probably heard about reverse mortgages. But do you really know what they are the circumstances in which you would use them. There are several different types of reverse mortgages. Since it is reported that more than 99% of …
Hiring Caregivers In The Home
Last week we discussed family members coming in to take care of Mom or Dad in their home when they are unable to care for themselves. But what if you are the primary caregiver and can’t quit work to care …
Do Homework Before Hiring Family Caregivers
Last week, we talked about recognizing the need for assistance with caregiving. When Mom or Dad are no longer able to live on their own or maybe they just don’t want to live in their own home anymore, there are …
Recognizing the Need for Outside Help in Caregiving
I recently presented a program on caregiver legal issues at the 2nd Annual St. Clair County Family Caregiver Resource Seminar & Open House at The Council on Aging, Inc. which was sponsored by a number of local senior services organizations. …
Importance of Funding Your Trust
You brought home your brand new trust. It sure looks great. It may be in a shiny new binder with tabs and everything. But how do you know your trust is going to work? And you got your trust at …
Medicaid and Nursing Home Spend Down
You have probably heard many things about nursing home Medicaid qualification. For example, you may have heard that if you are single, you have to spend down all of your assets on nursing home costs to a mere $2,000 before …
No Plateau Standard to Cease Medicare Rehab Services
You had a fall and were admitted to the hospital for five days. You are discharged from the hospital to an in-patient rehabilitation facility. If you have traditional Medicare or certain Medicare Advantage plans, since you have spent three full …