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How to Handle Sibling Disputes Over a Power of Attorney
5 days ago
A power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents, but when one sibling is named in a power of attorney, there is the potential for disputes with other siblings. No matter which side you are on, it is important to know your rights and limitations. A power of attorney ... [read more]

Medicare Open Enrollment For 2019 Has Begun
6 days ago
Medicare Open Enrollment for 2019 began this Monday, October 15, and runs through Friday, December 7, 2018. During this enrollment period, you can enroll in Medicare for the first time or you can make changes to your existing coverage. For example, you can switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medi... [read more]

Can I Give My Kids $15,000 a Year?
7 days ago
If you have it to give, you certainly can, but there may be consequences should you apply for Medicaid long-term care coverage within five years after each gift. The $15,000 figure is the amount of the current gift tax exclusion (for 2018), meaning that any person who gives away $15,000 or le... [read more]

It's Important to Shop Around for Your Medigap Policy
2 weeks ago
Medigap premiums can vary widely depending on the insurance company, according to a new study, so be sure to shop around before choosing a policy. When you first become eligible for Medicare, you may purchase a Medigap policy from a private insurer to supplement Medicare's coverage and plug some ... [read more]

Expressing Your Wishes About Visitors During An Illness or Incapacity
2 weeks ago
One question we are often asked by clients is how specific they should be in their Estate Planning documents regarding their wishes about having visitors and guests during a serious illness or period of incapacity. We recommend that clients talk with their families about these preferences and write ... [read more]

Deadline for Electronic Check-in for Home Care Workers Pushed Back
2 weeks ago
Congress has passed and President Trump has signed a law delaying by one year the requirement that providers of home health care services clock in electronically with Medicaid prior to performing services. Disability rights advocates and a bipartisan group of senators had been calling for the... [read more]

Senate Bill Would Set Up Federal Office of Disability Policy
3 weeks ago
Each year, hundreds of bills and regulations are proposed with little if any analysis of how they will affect the lives of people with disabilities. If signed into law, a new Senate bill, titled the Office of Disability Policy Act of 2018, would change this. Introduced July 24, the legislation wo... [read more]

Medicaid Eligibility And Family Gifts
3 weeks ago
One question our clients frequently ask us is if giving gifts to their family members can affect them adversely if they need to apply for Medicaid to cover the cost of nursing home care. Our response is that while current federal law permits gifts up to $15,000 annually, per individual, without the ... [read more]

Say a Little Prayer: Aretha Franklin Had No Will, and a Child With Special Needs
3 weeks ago
According to court documents, legendary singer Aretha Franklin did not have a will when she died, despite reportedly having a son with special needs. The lack of a will opens up the intensely private singer’s estate to public scrutiny and unnecessary costs, and means that there are no specific provi... [read more]

Don't Wait Too Long to Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance
4 weeks ago
The older you get, the harder it is to qualify for long-term care insurance. If you are interested in buying this insurance, it is better to act sooner rather than later. Many people put off purchasing long-term care insurance until they need it, but by then, it may be too late. Not only do p... [read more]

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