Simply defined, a trust is an agreement between two people -- a grantor who donates funds to the trust and a trustee who manages those funds according to the grantor's wishes, which are laid out in a trust document. The funds in the trust are typically used to assist...

Your most valuable property may be your home, which is true for many people. You likely want your children to inherit that value when you pass away. However, you may also have concerns about planning for the future, especially if your health declines and you need...

Question: My mom has a power of attorney with both my brother and me named as agents. The power of attorney document lists our wrong addresses -- we have all moved since she first had it drafted. Is it still good? Answer: It depends on whether just you and your...

Worrying about your legacy is a personal choice, and individuals may have different reasons for considering the impact they leave on the world. From financial security of loved ones, preserving memories, passing down family traditions, community influence, and being...

Question: My sister is in a nursing home for the rest of her life, and I have POA. Her care is paid by Medicaid. We pay utilities and property taxes on her vacant trailer to maintain it. Medicaid wants us to use our sister's small income to pay the nursing home bills....

If your child has special needs, a standard estate plan -- will, trust, power of attorney, and health care proxy -- may not be adequate for your family. If your child will not be able to support herself or live independently as an adult, you need to make special...

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 7.4 million people received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments in 2023, including 89,000 spouses and 1.1 million children. SSDI supports workers who develop disabilities before they retire, as...

When individuals and married couples are faced with the need for long-term care, immediate worries turn to affordability and the depletion of assets - especially one's savings and retirement accounts. The decision of whether to pay for long-term care directly from...

Key Considerations in Aging Understanding how the older adults in your life feel about certain issues – such as where they want to live and what kind of care they would like to receive as they continue to age – can help you provide appropriate support. Having these...

Assisted living facilities are a housing option for people who can still live, a bit, independently but who need some assistance. Costs can range from $2,000 to more than $6,000 a month, depending on location. Medicare won’t pay for this type of care, but Medicaid...

Recent news stories may have made you aware of the “step-up in basis” and the current administration’s desire to eliminate or adjust it. If you are considering engaging in estate planning or you may be inheriting assets, it is important to understand what the step-up...

Results of a recent survey led by the Department of Health and Human Services in Utah reveal that more than half of the state’s residents who lost their coverage during Medicaid’s “unwinding” process in 2023 did not attempt to resecure their benefits. What Is...

ElderLawAnswers.com has gathered 2024 updates for key elder law, estate, tax, and special needs planning figures. They are listed below. Be sure to bookmark this page for quick reference throughout the year! 2024 Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Figures Community...

Many retirees look forward to traveling in their retirement. More and more are actually retiring overseas, in part as a way to stretch savings. But what happens to retirees' federal benefits while they are out of the country? The short answer is that although Social...

Your heirs may not see eye to eye on family circumstances, particularly regarding inheriting your estate. Relationships can change and intensify when you die. Underlying issues can bubble to the surface, creating tensions over your estate and possibly tearing your...