CMS has proposed simplifying Medicaid enrollment and increasing the number of people eligible to obtain and maintain coverage. Overall the goal is to streamline applications, verifications, enrollments, and renewals, standardize processes, and reduce red tape. These proposals are a response…
It is common today for families to have stepchildren, and in cases of inheritance, stepchildren are often treated the same as biological children. This is particularly true where stepchildren are part of a blended family from an early age. Biological siblings…
Power of Attorney (POA) documents are an essential part of estate planning. All states recognize powers of attorney, but rules and requirements will differ from state to state. The document gives one or more individuals the legal authority to act…
With a comprehensive estate plan, you can ensure a successful transfer of wealth to your loved ones. However, many of us often overlook the crucial part of communicating our estate plan to family and heirs. Even with a thorough and…
Low-income seniors with limited assets and income can obtain healthcare and long-term care through Medicaid, a federal/state program. Many seniors believe their only option to qualify for the program is to “spend down” their assets. While this is true in…
It is common for disputes over guardianships and conservatorships, wills and trusts, and family real estate to arise as part of probate litigation. The most successful approach to mitigating or avoiding probate litigation risk is careful planning. Comprehensive estate plans…
Children should be divided assets equally in many situations. Yet, in some families, each child receiving the same inheritance can be inappropriate, deplete the estate’s assets due to ensuing litigation, or cause other family issues after you are gone. While the…
In America, long-term support services are in high demand. Costs are extremely high, regardless of whether you struggle to pay long-term care insurance premiums or monthly nursing home bills. The US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) finds that Americans…
A grieving loved one should not inherit assets only to discover that they cannot be accessed for cash expenditures they will be responsible for after you die. Most retirees’ assets are in homeownership and retirement accounts, requiring a sale to…
Children, including minors and adults, may disagree about family circumstances, especially when it comes to inheriting your estate. Relationships can change and intensify when you die, with underlying issues that bubble to the surface, creating tensions over your estate and possibly…