What Is a Life Estate?
The phrase “life estate” often comes up in discussions of estate and Medicaid planning, but what exactly does it mean? A life estate is a form of joint ownership that allows one person to remain in a house until his or her death, when it passes to the other owner....
Do All the Kids Have to Sign Papers When One Brother Is Trying to Get Guardianship of Our Mother?
No, but depending on your state’s guardianship laws, it may save time. Whenever someone seeks guardianship, they must give notice to all the next of kin. Typically, part of the process includes a period of time during which the next of kin can object to the...
Long-Term Care Question: My Mother in Assisted Living Has Outstanding Credit Card Debt – What Should She Do?
You could file for bankruptcy on your mother’s behalf, but it is doubtful that would be necessary. Your mother is what is often referred to as “judgment proof,” meaning that even if she were successfully sued, her creditors wouldn’t get anything. She/you could either...
Four Provisions People Often Forget to Include in Their Estate Plan
Even if you've created an estate plan, are you sure you included everything you need to? There are certain provisions that people often forget to put in a will or estate plan that can have a big impact on a family. 1. Alternate Beneficiaries One of the most important...
How Long Should I Hold on to Important Documents?
It is hard to know what documents to trash and when. Before you know it, your spare room, office, basement, or garage is overflowing with boxes of papers that all seem important. Trying to weed through the mess and figure out what to toss? Keep reading. Which...
Warning: Scam Targeting Medicare Recipients
On August 23, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an alert that scammers offering free COVID-19 tests have been targeting Medicare recipients online, by phone, and through television advertisements. The goal of these scammers is to obtain your Medicare...
Resources for Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia
Every year, 16 million people in the United States care for family and friends with dementia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Caregivers of people with dementia provide care for longer durations than those who assist individuals with other...
When Should You Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance?
Long-term care insurance can cover nursing home bills, assisted living fees, and in-home care, providing financial support if you require assistance with daily living when you get older. However, it can also be expensive. Determining the best time to buy long-term...
The FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
On August 17, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids. Devices for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss will be available in October 2022. The FDA’s rule follows President Biden’s Executive Order on...
Are You Missing Out on Benefits For Seniors? Identify the Programs Available
Older adults have access to hundreds of federal and state benefits programs. Many retirees meet the requirements for these aids, yet do not know they are eligible and miss opportunities to receive assistance. Others can feel overwhelmed by complex application...
Be Cautious of Generic Health Care Proxy Forms
Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff work hard to care for their patients when they are sick or hurt. However, even when a procedure is done to save a patient’s life, a hospital cannot act without patient consent. If a patient cannot speak for themselves and express...
What You Need to Know About Medicaid’s Personal Needs Allowance
Seniors who rely on Medicaid and live in nursing homes receive a personal needs allowance — a monthly stipend the Medicaid recipient can use to pay for needs that Medicaid does not cover. Medicaid restricts the amount of the allowance and how it is used. If recipients...
Prescription Drug Pricing Bill: What’s at Stake for Medicare Recipients
If you are among the more than 49 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D, you may feel overwhelmed by the costs of your prescription drugs from one year to the next. Proposed legislation currently awaiting review by the Senate could bring you some relief in the...
Plan Ahead Before Seeking Nursing Home Care: Avoid Unnecessary Debt for You and Your Family
Many senior citizens may need the services of a nursing home or at-home care at some point in their life. You might assume that government assistance or health insurance will step in and cover the cost if you cannot afford these services. Unfortunately, neither health...
The Basics of Estate Administration
Estate administration is the process of managing and distributing a person’s property (the “estate”) after death. If the person had a will, the will goes through probate, which is the process by which the deceased person's property is passed to his or her heirs and...