Thinking About & Securing You Legacy
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...
Should I Maintain a Property Likely to Be Taken By Medicaid?
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....
Three Essential Estate Plan Documents for Parents of Children with Special Needs
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...
Will I Lose My Disability if I Work Part-Time?
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...
Should I Pay For Long-Term Care From My Savings?
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...
14 Essential Questions to Ask Aging Parents
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...
Medicaid’s Benefits for Assisted Living Facility Residents
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...
Step-Up in Basis and Why It Matters in Estate Planning
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...
Medicaid Redetermination: In One State, Many Didn’t Renew
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...
Key Elder Law Numbers for 2024: Annual Roundup
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...
Getting Social Security Checks While Living Overseas
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...
Estate Planning: Should I Divide My Assets Equally?
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...
Report: The Current and Future State of Estate Planning
Over the next two decades, experts foresee Baby Boomer households transferring more than $84 trillion in generational wealth. Amid challenging economic times, it is more important than ever to protect your assets for yourself and your loved ones. Without a...
Inheritance Conversations With Your Children
Not talking to your adult children about their inheritance comes at a cost. Do what you can to manage expectations for adult children as they forge their financial plans. Knowing their general inheritance situation can change their decision-making process and lead to...
Medicaid & Long-Term Care: A Match Made in Healthcare
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program in the United States that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals, including coverage for long-term care services for those who qualify. Long-term care encompasses a range of services and supports for...