Knowing the “cost basis” of your property is important for tax purposes, but proving cost basis can be difficult.
Posts Categorized: Medicaid Planning
Medicare Open Enrollment Means It's Time to Shop Around
Are you happy with your Medicare coverage? It is time to review whether your plan or plans are working for you.
Do Frequent Flier Miles Expire When You Do?
Accumulated frequent flier miles can be valuable assets, but what happens to those miles after somene dies? Can a spouse or other heirs inherit them, or do the miles simply evaporate like a contrail?
Legal Steps When Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s Disease
Many of us have a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or with another form of dementia. With the diagnosis comes the instruction to work closely with doctors to try various medications and therapies to delay or stall the progression of the disease. This blog will not comment of the medical aspects… Read More »
Court Approves Use of Short-Term Annuities for Medicaid Planning
A federal appeals court has ruled that Medicaid officials must accept applicants’ short-term annuities, providing more certainty for Medicaid applicants’ use of this important planning tool.
Incentives to Keep Working While You Collect Social Security
If you are able to continue working while receiving Social Security benefits, you can increase your overall benefit. In addition, although your benefits may be reduced due to your work, you can recoup those lost benefits.
Woman's Efforts to Change Will Without Professional Assistance Backfire
A recent court decision in Minnesota serves as a cautionary reminder to anyone thinking of changing their estate plan on their own.
An Elder Lawyer’s Pet Peeves
View image | gettyimages.com Here is a short list of dangers that I regularly see in my Elder Law practice. These hazards can frustrate a client’s estate plan or asset protection plan : 1) The Do It Yourself Last Will and Testament that does not work because it is improperly executed, has inconsistent clauses and/or fails to… Read More »
Incentive Trusts: Ensuring That an Inheritance Will Be Well Spent
Some parents, fearful of how a large inheritance will affect their heirs, set up what are known as “incentive trusts” that ensure that the trust funds support positive behavior and discourage unproductive activities.
How to Protect Your Deceased Loved Ones From Identity Theft
We’ve all been warned about protecting ourselves from identity theft, but one group of victims can’t take action to protect themselves—the dead. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to discourage identity thieves from targeting a deceased loved one.