Monthly archives:February 2019
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6 years ago
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We're often asked by clients how they can make sure that they are not kept alive by artificial means if they are in a terminal situation due to an accident or illness. Our answer is that a Living Will is an important part of their Estate Plan because it clearly states what their wishes are regarding... [read more]
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6 years ago
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Traditionally, Medicaid has paid for long-term care in a nursing home, but because most individuals would rather be cared for at home and home care is cheaper, all 50 states now have Medicaid programs that offer at least some home care. In some states, even family members can get paid for providing ... [read more]
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6 years ago
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Spouses who are turning full retirement age this year are the last group who can choose whether to take spousal benefits or to take benefits on their own record. The strategy, used by some couples to maximize their benefits, will not be available to people turning full retirement age after 2019.
... [read more]
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6 years ago
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We're often asked what it means to be an Elder Law Attorney, and if it is the same as being an Estate Planning Attorney. Our answer is that while Estate Planning is an important aspect of Elder Law, an Elder Law Attorney is concerned with much more than only creating Wills and Trusts. As Elder Law A... [read more]
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6 years ago
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is increasing the amount taxpayers can deduct from their 2019 income as a result of buying long-term care insurance.
Premiums for "qualified" long-term care insurance policies (see explanation below) are tax deductible to the extent that they, along with oth... [read more]
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6 years ago
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Most special needs trusts (SNTs) are set up to benefit one individual. But it’s possible to contribute to a trust where the funds of many people with special needs are “pooled.” This kind of trust, called a pooled or (d)(4)(C) trust, may be a better option for some people than the conventional SN... [read more]
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6 years ago
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One question that we're often asked by clients is how they can protect their family's privacy and avoid a costly probate process.
Our answer is that summary and formal probate administration can be a long and expensive court process, and we can use a number of Estate Planning tools to avoid proba... [read more]
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6 years ago
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The older the population gets, the greater the potential for elder abuse. States have laws in place designed to combat elder abuse, but some states are doing a better job than others. The consumer finance website WalletHub researched the protections in place in all 50 states and the District of Colu... [read more]
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6 years ago
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A durable power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents you can have. It allows you to appoint someone to act for you (your "agent" or "attorney-in-fact") if you become incapacitated. Without a power of attorney, your loved ones would not be able to make decisions for you ... [read more]
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6 years ago
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If you are paying for your own insurance, you may think you do not need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65. However, not signing up for Medicare Part B right away can cost you down the road.
You can first sign up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which is the seven-mon... [read more]
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