You may have a special needs child or other loved one who is developmentally disabled and/or legally incapacitated. Since his or her birth, you have been the primary caregiver. Have you thought about what would happen if you could no …
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Taking Care of Your Mental Health
It’s sure a pain getting older. You feel it every day. You do not go up and down the stairs as easily as you used to. It is more difficult to bend over to pick up things you dropped on …
Elder Law
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 …
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 …
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 …
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? …
How To Select an Estate Planning Attorney
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 …
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 …
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 …