What Is a Medicare Flex Card?

Some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive Medicare flex cards, pre-paid debit cards for qualifying expenses, as part of their benefits. The U.S. government does not issue Medicare flex cards. This benefit is only available on select Medicare Advantage plans, a...

The Consequences of Not Paying Your Property Taxes

When Geraldine Tyler, age 94, relocated to a senior community, she stopped paying property taxes on her home. After the property was foreclosed on, the county where Tyler’s home was located sold the property for $40,000 to recover about $15,000 in unpaid property...

How “Third-Party” Special Needs Trusts Differ From Other Trusts

Special needs trusts come in three main flavors — first-party special needs trusts, third-party special needs trusts, and pooled trusts. All three trust varieties are designed to manage resources for a person with special needs so that the beneficiary can still...

When It Comes to Taxes, Special Needs Trusts Are Not All Equal

Special needs trusts can be an invaluable tool for families that have a child with special needs. One often overlooked aspect of a special needs trust (SNT), however, is how the trust is taxed.  This consideration is important because the tax savings can be...

Tax Deductions for Parents of Children With Disabilities

Unique tax benefits are available to families who have children with special needs. And thanks to recent changes in the tax code, there are opportunities to save substantial amounts of money at tax time. Thomas M. Brinker, Jr., a professor of accounting at Arcadia...

Lawmaker Revives the Expanding Veterans’ Options for LTC Act

A bipartisan bill recently reintroduced to Congress seeks to support senior military veterans in living more independently as they age. The number of U.S. military veterans aged 85 or older who will become eligible for nursing home care is anticipated to increase by...

Legal Decision Making as Your Child Nears Age 18

Privacy laws were enacted so that when a child turns 18, his or her parents are no longer able to make medical or financial decisions for them because that child is now considered a legal adult.  This is the case for all children turning 18, especially those with...

Your Medical Directive

Any complete estate plan should include a medical directive. This term may encompass a number of different documents, including a health care proxy, a durable power of attorney for health care, a living will, and medical instructions. The exact document or documents...