The SECURE Act changed how beneficiaries of inherited retirement accounts must withdraw these funds. Its passage made it more difficult for individuals to pass [...]

If you own a firearm of monetary or sentimental value, you may wonder how to transfer ownership to your loved ones after you die. In [...]

As more people look to adopt environmentally sustainable practices not only in life, but now also in death, 'green' alternatives may become more of a norm in the [...]

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) took effect on Jan. 1, 2018, and impacted personal income taxes, estate tax rules, capital gains rules, and much more. The TCJA [...]

Elder law attorneys, with expertise in estate planning, incapacity planning, and end-of-life care for seniors, are essential in [...]

As part of their benefits, some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive Medicare flex cards. These are pre-paid debit cards for [...]

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) is a respiratory infection that mimics the common cold. However, the virus can cause serious complications in older [...]

Whether or not you are already receiving Social Security benefits, there are numerous services you may be able to take advantage of through the SSA [...]

If you are a property holder, you may use a Lady Bird Deed to transfer real property to a specific beneficiary while retaining certain rights to the property. [...]

Although in many situations the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when selecting beneficiaries, there are always exceptions.

Last wills and testaments (also known simply as wills) are not just for the wealthy.

Creating a spendthrift trust for your loved one can limit their spending and your protect wealth. 

When individuals cannot manage their finances, courts can appoint guardians. Financial guardianship is for those who need help [...]

America has three major housing issues for seniors: affordability, physical accessibility, and access to medical care and other services. There is a need for [...]

Seniors and disabled citizens will receive more access to the Medicare Extra Help Program as of the beginning of 2024.

Although Medicare funds some home health care services, a recent study has found that Medicare beneficiaries are underutilizing the [...]

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects patients' privacy. [...]

Some assets transfer directly to heirs after a person's death. Other assets must go through a process known as probate.

Many individuals are concerned when they hear the term "

For LGBTQ+ couples, estate planning may be more important than they realize.

Under a federal pilot program, a number of states are using Medicaid funds to cover healthy food costs for Medicaid recipients.

Many seniors wish to leave their home to their heirs. However, they may often lose track of their finances and fail to pay certain [...]

More and more seniors are facing a substance use disorder problem that in large part has remained silent.

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency offically ended in May 2023. Certain policies that were implemented in early 2020 during the PHE will now expire.

A QLAC is an annuity that you purchase with funds from an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) account and that guarantees you will receive retirement income on a set [...]

A crucial, yet often overlooked, component of estate planning is reviewing assets, such as 401(k)s, pensions, and savings accounts, [...]

Vermont has become the first state in the U.S. to update its end-of-life choice law to make it legal for nonresidents to pursue medically assisted [...]

Trusts are legal arrangements used in estate planning, alongside wills and advance directives.

Innovations in robotics and artificial intelligence may have the potential to provide support on this front, allowing seniors to [...]

End-of-life care decisions are never easy, but many Medicare recipients are being forced to choose between nursing home or hospice care, although neither by themselves may be ideal for a [...]

Finding inexpensive, safe, and accessible housing can be challenging. However, several affordable housing options are available for older people with low [...]

For those who wish to maintain their independence and continue living at home as they grow older, taking certain steps to protect their physical, mental, and [...]

Most people want to pass their assets to their children or grandchildren, but naming a minor as a beneficiary can have unintended consequences. It is important to make a plan that doesn’t involve [...]

Most people want to pass their assets to their children or grandchildren, but naming a minor as a beneficiary can have unintended consequences. It is important to make a plan that doesn’t involve [...]

Powers of attorney that only allow an agent to do certain things are commonly referred to as a limited power of [...]

While financial planning has been at the top of many Americans’ minds, a vast majority of people have stalled in creating an estate plan.

If you wish to maintain control during your lifetime over the assets you place in a trust, you may choose to establish a revocable, or "living" trust – most [...]

Many power of attorney forms allow for a variety of options in designating who may act as your agent. Depending on the rules of your state, this can be one [...]

Hospice care is a type of health care that patients with terminally ill conditions rely on at the end of their lives.

A new AARP analysis gives a glimpse into the experiences of family caregivers and offers recommendations on policies and practices that policymakers should [...]

Seniors who need assistance with certain daily activities are eligible for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports. Unfortunately, many who qualify for these [...]

Using survey data from more than 8,000 adults aged 65 and older, researchers have identified eight social factors that may lead to early death in older [...]

Wills contain important information about who receives money, possessions, and property upon a person’s death. Who can view this information, and is it a public record? 

Arranging what happens to your digital assets and information when you pass away has become an increasingly essential component of [...]

When you assume the role of surrogate decision-maker, it is crucial to understand the patient's wishes and values.

People create wills to establish what happens to their money and assets when they pass away. In these documents, they can name [...]

You may worry about your older loved ones, especially if you live far away from them. You can, however, take some simple steps to ensure their safety as they [...]

It is easy to burn out when you are responsible for providing full-time care to an aging or disabled loved one.

Self-monitoring one’s blood pressure can help in controlling hypertension. Depending on your state, Medicaid may cover part of the [...]

Full-time caregiving is a significant time commitment. Fortunately, family members who want to serve as caregivers may have options to help cover the [...]

Choosing an executor is a big decision when it comes to estate planning. Here are three common questions about executors.

When people make wills, they nominate someone to handle their estates and carry out their wishes after passing away.

Estate planning entails preparing your affairs for the future. While older adults might give more thought to estate planning, it is [...]

The basic idea behind a QPRT is to transfer the equity in a qualified residence out of a person's estate and to their heirs while [...]

The debate among lawmakers on further expanding Medicaid in some 11 states continues to evolve. 

Are you a taxpayer who has purchased long-term care insurance? Take note of your policy details [...]

Once Medicare kicks in, we may assume our medical insurance [...]

When it comes to filing your 2022 federal tax return for the 2023 tax season, you may be able to access several forms of assistance for free.

If you are preparing a will, it is important to choose an executor you can trust, who is reliable, and who will take their role [...]

Powers of attorney can be overridden. However, the "who" and "how" depends on whether the principal is of sound mind.

Many people are unaware that there is coverage to help families lay their loved ones to rest. Depending on your state, Medicaid may cover some funeral costs and [...]

Although every state's laws and forms vary, most power of attorney forms specify that the agency relationship created by a power of [...]

Congress established the Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program to provide states with federal funding to help seniors who are receiving care in [...]

The Senate and House have cleared the passage of a year-end $1.7 trillion appropriations bill that will benefit older adults on a number of fronts.

Assisted living facilities and nursing homes are long-term housing and care options for older adults. Although people sometimes use [...]

A health savings account may help you save money on medical expenses, depending on your insurance type.

"Decedent" is a legal term that refers to a person who has died with unsatisfied legal obligations.

If you are considering engaging in estate planning or you may be inheriting assets, it is important to understand what the step-up in [...]

There are various benefits to creating a testamentary trust. This article discusses the benefits of adding a testamentary trust to your estate plan.

A charitable lead annuity trust (CLAT) is an estate planning tool whereby a person creates a trust that initially benefits a [...]

Assisted living facilities support older adults with daily living while fostering their [...]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2023 federal guidelines [...]

In November 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that Medicare coverage will be expanded to include medically necessary dental [...]

If Medicare refuses to cover your care, do not assume this means you will have to take on the financial burden.

If you are a high-net-worth individual, it’s essential to have a comprehensive estate plan in place. However, every family’s [...]

If you are planning to leave an investment property to loved ones, a 1031 exchange may be a helpful estate planning tool for you. [...]

After losing a loved one, consider the best way to honor them and their life. Sometimes, a traditional funeral is not the best fit. Today, there are many [...]

You may wonder if there’s anything you shouldn’t include in your will. The answer is yes. There are some things that you should [...]

Seniors living in Medicaid-funded nursing homes receive a personal needs allowance - a monthly stipend the Medicaid recipient can use [...]

Although caring for people with dementia can be challenging, a variety of resources can help caregivers assist their loved ones. [...]

For the first time in more than 10 years, Medicare Part B enrollees will see some of their costs decline.

Recent research examined the differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Medicaid imposes strict rules on how much money and assets an applicant can have. To qualify for Medicaid, you must fall under the asset limit, which is $2,000 in most states. Even with greater [...]

A life estate often comes up in discussions of estate and Medicaid planning. It is a form of joint ownership that allows one person to remain in a house until his or her death, when it passes [...]

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 [...]

You may have heard of the terms “springing” and “non-springing” power of attorney and wonder what they mean.

As the recent death of Anne Heche shows us, not having a will can place a significant burden on your children and cause undesirable [...]

A number of considerations go into how much long-term care insurance any consumer should buy. 

If your loved one is entering a nursing home, you may worry whether you could be liable for their care.

A recent survey finds that 55 percent of adult children say they are not financially prepared to help their Baby Boomer parents cope with rising inflation and [...]

When you put your assets in a MAPT, Medicaid will not count the money in the trust toward its resource limit.

Even if you've created an estate plan, are you sure you included everything you need to? There are certain provisions that people often forget to put in in a will or estate plan that can have [...]

Planning your own funeral arrangements can assist your loved ones in an emotionally challenging time, while also protecting them from [...]

There are some documents that you will want to hang on to forever and some that you should keep for a few years.

In many cases, you would tell your beneficiaries that you have made a trust for them. However, this is not always desirable - and this is where a “quiet” trust may be helpful.

Unfortunately, neither health insurance nor Medicare covers long-term care. Medicaid could become your only option, so do what you can to plan ahead.

Many retirees meet the requirements for federal and state benefits programs, yet do not know they are eligible and miss opportunities [...]

Even a modest monthly income may disqualify you from Medicaid. A Miller Trust may help you resolve this dilemma.

If you have ever been admitted to the hospital, you have likely been asked to sign a health care proxy form.

Do you have a friend or loved one who receives Social Security and is unable to manage her payments? If so, you can request that the Social Security Administration name you as the [...]

If medical personnel are able to access your medical history during an emergency, it could mean the difference between life and death.