A once-popular estate planning tool may now cost families more in taxes than it saves. Changes in the estate tax have made the “bypass trust” a less appealing option for many families.
Posts Categorized: Estate Planning
Medicaid's Benefits for Assisted Living Facility Residents
Almost all state Medicaid programs will cover some assisted living costs, although there may be a waiting list.
Four Social Security Myths Debunked
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the Social Security system. Here are four common myths and the truth about how Social Security works and its future prospects.
Nursing Home Care Costs Are Only Slightly Higher in 2016
The median cost of a private nursing home room in the United States has increased slightly to $92,378 a year, up 1.24 percent from 2015, according to Genworth’s 2016 Cost of Care survey, which the insurer conducts annually.
Don’t Sabatage Your Estate Plan
When I was a child my parents told me to always read a document before I signed it. Recently I have had a few clients come into my office with estate plan documents drafted by other attorneys. When I reviewed the documents it was apparent to me that my clients had not read their Trust or… Read More »
How Does the Medicaid Look-Back Period Work?
One area that causes a lot of confusion with regard to Medicaid is the look-back period. What exactly does the look-back period mean for Medicaid applicants?
Hybrid Policies Allow You to Have Your Long-Term Care Insurance Cake and Eat It, Too
An increasingly popular hybrid product combines life insurance with long-term care coverage and offers buyers solutions to a number of problems that have kept people from buying traditional long-term care policies.
Problems with Guardianship Abuse Leading to Calls for Reform
A growing problem with adult guardianship abuse is causing calls to reform the system. Vulnerable elderly can get caught in the guardianship system, being harmed and exploited by the very process that is supposed to protect them.
10 Ways the Elderly Can Avoid Financial Abuse
Increased dependency due to illness, disability or cognitive impairments can make seniors susceptible to financial abuse. Here are some steps seniors or their loved ones can take to prevent financial abuse.
Last Chance to Use File and Suspend Strategy for Claiming Social Security Benefits
Time is running out to use a potentially very lucrative Social Security benefits-claiming strategy. Spouses will no longer be able to use the “file and suspend” strategy after April 29, 2016.