Most individuals with special needs rely on Medicaid as a source of much needed health insurance. Since this program is only available to people with very sparse financial resources, there is an income limit. In the state of New York at the time of this writing, the limit on countable assets is just $15,450. If you have a loved one with special needs, you may want to utilize resources to make your family member more comfortable. The fact that there is this asset limit that governs Medicaid … [Read more...] about Special Needs Planning and Medicaid Recovery
Have You Considered a Living Trust?
Many people are under the impression that a last will is the only logical choice as an estate plan centerpiece if you are not extraordinarily wealthy. In fact, this is a myth. If you utilize a last will, your loved ones will not receive their inheritances in a timely manner. The executor that is named in the document would be required to admit the will to probate, and the court would supervise the estate administration process. There is one caveat to the above statement here in New York. … [Read more...] about Have You Considered a Living Trust?
How Do You Qualify for Medicaid?
As elder law attorneys, we are often asked why anyone should care about Medicaid when they will qualify for Medicare when they reach the age of 65. This is a logical question, but there is a very good answer, and it comes as an unpleasant surprise to many people. The United States Department of Health and Human Services maintains a very useful website called longtermcare.gov. There are some interesting statistics on the site, and one of them grabs your attention right away: seven out of every … [Read more...] about How Do You Qualify for Medicaid?
Grantor Trusts Provide Flexibility and Ease
A trust may be taxed as either a grantor trust or a nongrantor trust. Each type of trust has advantages and disadvantages. This article examines a grantor trust and situations in which it might be useful. Grantor Trusts Provide Flexibility and Ease … [Read more...] about Grantor Trusts Provide Flexibility and Ease
Selecting an Agent
Choosing the right Agent under a Power of Attorney is one of the most important choices. This article discusses the qualities of an ideal Agent and qualities to avoid in selecting an Agent. Read on to learn more. Selecting an Agent … [Read more...] about Selecting an Agent
