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0
By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted August 4, 2022

The Ins and Outs of Estate Sales

Following the death of a family member, you may find yourself needing to sort through many possessions accumulated over the deceased’s lifetime. An estate sale is one way to distribute, [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted August 4, 2022

Is a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust Right For You?

Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) ­are a mechanism by which wealthier individuals and couples can transfer appreciating assets to their heirs and minimize gift or estate taxes.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted August 4, 2022

What You Should Consider Before Scattering a Loved One’s Ashes

Saying goodbye to a loved one is heartbreaking. Making final arrangements can be overwhelming, and knowing what you are allowed to do to fulfill your loved one's wishes is important — but it [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted August 4, 2022

How Changes to Portability of the Estate Tax Exemption May Impact You

The Internal Revenue Service has issued new guidance extending the time that executors have to elect portability.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted July 18, 2022

What Is an Executor?

An executor, also called a personal representative, is the person responsible for managing the administration of a deceased person's estate.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted July 18, 2022

Three Estate Planning Options for Your Art Collection

Collecting art or other valuable items can be a passion for many people. Once you have accumulated a sizable collection, what do you want to happen to it after you pass away?  

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted July 18, 2022

How to Deal with an Estranged Child in Your Estate Plan

Unfortunately, not all families get along. If you are having problems with one of your children, you may not want them to benefit from your estate. There are several strategies for dealing [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted July 18, 2022

Dynasty Trusts: A Tax-Efficient Way to Pass Wealth Down Through the Generations

If you want to pass money to future generations without having it subject to gift and estate taxes, then a dynasty trust may be right for you.  

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 18, 2022

Stop Using Unsafe Portable Bed Rails Immediately, National Safety Commission Warns

An advisory issued in June warns people against using a series of adult portable bed rail models after at least three people were entangled in them and died of asphyxia.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 18, 2022

Some Social Security Beneficiaries Can Get Retroactive Payments — But at a Cost

If you need a lot of cash on hand upon retirement, Social Security offers a lump-sum payment option that’s worth six months of retroactive benefits. However, it comes at a cost. It is [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 18, 2022

How to Get Into a Nursing Home as a Medicaid Recipient

While Medicaid helps pay for nursing home care, being admitted to a nursing home as a Medicaid recipient is not always easy. There are several ways to navigate the process, depending on your [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 18, 2022

Supreme Court Rules State Medicaid Programs Can Recoup a Larger Share of Injury Settlements

In a case involving a teen who was catastrophically injured, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that state Medicaid programs may be [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted May 9, 2022

Using a Roth IRA as an Estate Planning Tool

A Roth IRA does not have to be used as just a retirement plan; it can also be a way to transfer assets tax-free to the next generation.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted May 9, 2022

Can My Family Inherit My Season Tickets?

Sports fans with season tickets may want their families to enjoy the tickets after they are gone, but passing on these tickets is not always simple.  

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted May 9, 2022

Why Small Business Owners Need an Estate Plan

Running a small business can keep you busy, but it should not keep you from creating an estate plan. Not having a plan in place can cause problems for your business and your family after you [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted May 9, 2022

5 Rights That Trust Beneficiaries Have

As a trust beneficiary, you may feel that you are at the mercy of the trustee, but depending on the type of trust, beneficiaries may have rights to ensure the trust is properly managed.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 9, 2022

Should You Prepare a Medicaid Application Yourself?

Navigating the Medicaid application process can be complicated, especially if you are applying for long-term care benefits. Having an attorney help you through the process can be extremely [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 9, 2022

Medicare Now Covers the Cost of COVID At-Home Tests

If you have Medicare, you can now receive up to eight free rapid at-home Covid-19 tests a month at participating pharmacies, no prescription required. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 9, 2022

When to Leave a Nursing Home and Move Back Home

Leaving a nursing home to return home is a goal for many residents and their families, but it requires careful consideration. While returning home is a good move for some, it won't work for [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 9, 2022

What to Do If Your Medicaid Application Is Denied

If you apply for long-term care assistance through Medicaid and your application is denied, the situation may seem hopeless. The good news is that you can appeal the decision. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 5, 2022

Medicaid’s “Snapshot” Date and Its Crucial Impact on a Couple’s Financial Picture

When a married couple applies for Medicaid, the Medicaid agency must analyze the couple’s income and assets as of a particular date to determine eligibility. This “snapshot” date can have a [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 5, 2022

Medicare Advantage Plans Often Wrongly Deny Necessary Care, Study Finds

In an alarming number of cases, private Medicare Advantage plans are denying coverage for medical services that would be covered under original Medicare, according to a federal investigation. [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted March 7, 2022

How to Protect the Identity of Your Deceased Loved Ones From Theft

We've all been warned about protecting ourselves from identity theft, but one group of victims can't take action to defend themselves—the dead. There are steps that you can take to discourage [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted March 7, 2022

What to Do About an Unwanted Inheritance

While an inheritance is usually desired, there are some circumstances in which it might be unwelcome. If you don’t want an inheritance, you must disclaim it. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted March 7, 2022

When a Non-Grantor Trust Might Be Useful

One of the many factors to consider when setting up a trust is whether to make it a grantor trust or a non-grantor trust. While a grantor trust is more common, a non-grantor trust can be [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted March 7, 2022

What Will Happen When the Gift and Estate Tax Exemption Gets Cut in Half?

The estate and gift tax exemption is set to be cut in half in 2026. Proper planning may be necessary to make sure you are taking full advantage of the current exemption and aren’t negatively [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted March 7, 2022

Things to Remember at Tax Time

Tax day is fast approaching and you want to make sure you're taking advantage of all the deductions and credits you're entitled to.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted March 7, 2022

Court Rules Medicare Beneficiaries Can Appeal Switch to Hospital Observation Status

A federal court has ruled that hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries who were switched from inpatient to observation status can appeal the decision, making it easier for them to receive coverage [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted March 7, 2022

When a Social Security Recipient Dies, Survivors May Be Eligible for Benefits

When loved ones pass away, there are lots of considerations, including what happens to their Social Security. The decedent’s payments need to be stopped, but survivor’s benefits may be [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted March 7, 2022

What Documents Are Required for a Medicaid Application?

Medicaid applicants must prove that they have limited income and assets in order to be eligible for long-term care benefits. Before beginning the application process, it is helpful to [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted February 1, 2022

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 [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted February 1, 2022

You Can Just Say No: Declining to Act as an Agent Under a Power of Attorney

Acting as an agent under a power of attorney is a big responsibility and it isn’t something everyone can take on. It is possible to resign or refuse the position.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted February 1, 2022

How Much Should a Trustee Be Compensated?

Serving as a trustee of a trust can be a huge responsibility, so trustees are entitled to compensation for their work. The amount of compensation depends on the type of trustee and the [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted February 1, 2022

What Happens to a Medicaid Recipient If the Community Spouse Dies First?

When one spouse is in a nursing home and applying for Medicaid, planning has to take into account the possibility that the spouse who is not in the nursing home (called the "community spouse") [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted February 1, 2022

Worsening Nursing Home Staffing Crisis Taking a Devastating Toll on Residents, Their Families and Hospitals

Overwhelmed by the stress of long hours, low pay and exposure to the COVID-19 virus, nursing home workers are quitting in record numbers. The labor hemorrhage has turned what was already a [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted February 1, 2022

You Can Now Compare Nursing Homes on Staff Turnover Rates and Weekend Help

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that it will add data on staff turnover rates and weekend staffing levels to its Care Compare website, giving consumers another tool [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted February 1, 2022

When Can Someone Be Declared Legally Incompetent?

If a loved one is experiencing memory loss or suddenly making poor decisions, you may want the court to appoint a guardian, which requires a declaration of incompetence.  

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted December 6, 2021

Can You Be Buried With Your Pet?

Most states either have laws specifically prohibiting pets and humans to be buried together or are silent on the issue. But at least four states have laws allowing some form of combined [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted December 6, 2021

5 Estate Planning Tips for the Non-Traditional Family (Which Odds Are Includes Yours)

If your family contains opposite-gender parents in the first marriage for each and one or more kids, all healthy and thriving, your estate plan will probably be pretty straightforward. But if [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted December 6, 2021

Who Makes Health Care Decisions If You Can’t?

What happens if you become incapacitated and are unable to voice your opinion on your health care? If you don’t have a health care proxy or guardian in place, state law chooses who can make [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted December 6, 2021

A Way to Lock in the Current Estate Tax Exemption to Benefit Your Spouse

With the fate of the estate tax exemption uncertain, you may want to use the current large exemption to transfer assets to a trust to benefit your spouse. A spousal lifetime access trust [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted December 6, 2021

Closing of Social Security Field Offices Disrupted SSI Benefits for Thousands, Lawsuit Charges

When the SSA closed its offices at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it failed to provide practical ways for the elderly and people with disabilities to demonstrate their eligibility or [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted December 6, 2021

What It Means to Need ‘Nursing Home Level of Care’ for Medicaid Eligibility

When applying for Medicaid’s long-term care coverage, in addition to the strict income and asset limits, you must demonstrate that you need a level care typically provided in a nursing home.  

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted December 6, 2021

Medicare Premiums to Increase Dramatically in 2022

Medicare premiums are rising sharply next year, cutting into the large Social Security cost-of-living increase. The basic monthly premium will jump 15.5 percent, or $21.60, from $148.50 to [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted December 6, 2021

IRS Issues Long-Term Care Premium Deductibility Limits for 2022, and They Look Pretty Familiar

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the amounts taxpayers of different ages can deduct from their 2022 income as a result of buying long-term care insurance, and the figures are [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted December 5, 2021

Better Than No Loaf: Medicaid Planning Using “Half a Loaf” Strategies

While it is preferable to conduct long-term care planning well in advance of needing care, if you haven’t planned ahead, there are some strategies available to avoid spending all your assets. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted November 4, 2021

Decisions to Make for Your Power of Attorney

A power of attorney may seem like a simple document, but there are several important decisions that need to be made when creating one.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted November 4, 2021

Are There Special Tax Rules for a Gift or Inheritance from a Foreign National?

If you have close relatives who are citizens of another country, you might receive a gift or inheritance from them at some point. While you usually do not have to pay taxes to the IRS for [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted November 4, 2021

The Benefits of Including an LLC as Part of Your Estate Plan

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are an important tool for small business owners, but they can also be useful in estate planning. An LLC can help you pass assets to your children while [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted November 4, 2021

The 6 Biggest Estate Planning Mistakes

While you likely have the best of intentions regarding how you want your estate distributed when you die or your affairs handled should you become incapacitated, without proper planning your [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted November 4, 2021

Hiring a Caregiver: Should You Employ One Yourself or Go Through an Agency?

Many families will eventually have to hire a caregiver to look after an aging relative. There are two main ways to hire someone: directly or through a home health [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted November 4, 2021

COVID Vaccination Information Added to Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare Site

Individuals who are researching nursing homes can now see staff and resident vaccination rates along with other quality and safety measure information at Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted November 4, 2021

In 2022, Social Security Beneficiaries Will See the Biggest Increase in 39 Years

Rising inflation due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means that in 2022, Social Security benefits will go up 5.9 percent, the sharpest upsurge since 1983. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted October 6, 2021

Do You Need a Lawyer to Write a Will?

You aren't technically required to hire a lawyer to draft a will, but failing to do so could lead to costly problems for your family and other heirs.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted October 6, 2021

Passing on Assets Outside of Probate: PODs and TODs

For a variety of reasons, people sometimes want some or all of their assets to pass directly to specific individuals upon their deaths, outside of probate.  POD and TOD accounts are one way to [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted October 6, 2021

How to Use Intrafamily Loans as Part of Your Estate Plan

When interest rates are low, intrafamily loans can be a good way to assist children with purchasing a house or a family business, and in certain circumstances they can be used to gift money to [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted October 6, 2021

Make Sure Your Estate Plan and Other Essential Documents Are Safe from Disasters

In the event you lose your house in a natural disaster or through another calamity, it is important that your estate planning and other important documents are beyond reach and easily [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted October 6, 2021

Online Survey Helps Older Adults Assess Their Financial Vulnerability

All older Americans are vulnerable to financial abuse, but there are circumstances that make someone more likely to be scammed. An online survey can help older adults assess their risk of [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted October 6, 2021

It’s Medicare Open Enrollment Time: Is Your Plan Still Working for You?

Every year during Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7, Medicare gives beneficiaries a window of opportunity to shop around and determine if their [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted October 6, 2021

Social Security Shortfalls Are Predicted to Begin a Year Earlier Due to the Pandemic

The Social Security trustees are projecting that the Social Security trust fund will be depleted in 2033 -- one year earlier than the previous estimates. Once the fund is depleted, Social [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted October 6, 2021

Medicaid’s Attempt to Ensure the Healthy Spouse Has Enough Income: The MMMNA

When most of a couple's income is in the name of the spouse who is receiving Medicaid, the spouse remaining in the community may wonder what he or she will live on. Medicaid has created some [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted September 7, 2021

What Is a Fiduciary and What Are Its Obligations?

When you need someone else to care for money or property on your behalf, that person (or organization) is called a fiduciary. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted September 7, 2021

Can a Marriage Be Annulled After One Spouse’s Death?

Marriage is supposed to be “until death do us part,” but after one spouse dies, is it possible to have the marriage annulled? It can be done, but only in certain circumstances. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted September 7, 2021

New Tax Proposals Mean Some Should Review Their Estate Plans

A number of tax proposals being considered in Congress could significantly affect gifting and estate plans for people with with larger estates -- over $3.5 million. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted September 7, 2021

Don’t Just Hope for an Inheritance; Get It in Writing

It is important to get any agreements about inheritance in writing. Providing services to someone does not automatically entitle you to a portion of their estate. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted September 7, 2021

You May Be Overestimating Your Social Security Benefits

Studies have found that workers overestimate how much they will receive in Social Security benefits when they retire. Having a good understanding of the realities can help you plan for [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted September 7, 2021

Medicaid’s Home Care Waivers Can Help You Avoid a Nursing Home, But the Line May Be Long

The federal government can grant “waivers” to states allowing them to expand Medicaid to include home and community-based services. The downside is that states can limit home care and the wait [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted September 7, 2021

Ombudsmen: Front-Line Advocates for Nursing Home Residents

If you are experiencing problems with your nursing home that can't be resolved within the nursing home, your next step is to contact the local ombudsman assigned to the nursing home.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted September 7, 2021

How Do I File for a Guardianship?

In most states, anyone interested in the well-being of an individual who may be incapacitated – called the “proposed ward” -- can request a guardianship for that person. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted September 1, 2021

How to Protect an IRA From Heirs’ Creditors

When a person declares bankruptcy, an individual retirement account (IRA) is one of the assets that is beyond the reach of creditors, but what about an IRA that has been inherited? 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted September 1, 2021

6 Things to Ask Before Agreeing to Be a Trustee

Being asked to serve as the trustee of the trust of a family member is a great honor. But being a trustee is also a heavy responsibility. Here are six questions to ask before saying "yes."

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted September 1, 2021

Using a Minority Valuation Discount to Reduce Estate Taxes

While the current estate tax exemption is quite high, a closely held family business may put your estate over the limit. Careful planning is necessary to lower or completely avoid the tax, and [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted September 1, 2021

Be Careful Not to Name Minors as Your Beneficiaries

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 [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted September 1, 2021

Supreme Court to Hear Case That Could Increase the Bite That Medicaid Takes Out of Settlements

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that has the potential to affect anyone who receives government assistance with their medical care following a disabling injury that results in [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted September 1, 2021

Britney Spears Case Puts Renewed Focus on Guardianships and Less Restrictive Alternatives

Britney Spears’s struggle to regain control over her business and personal life shines a spotlight on legal guardianship and alternatives that involve less loss of control over one's life.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted September 1, 2021

How Much Money Can You Have and Still Qualify for Medicaid?

In order to be eligible for Medicaid benefits a nursing home resident may have no more than $2,000 in "countable" assets (the figure may be somewhat higher in some states). 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 21, 2021

What Is Long-Term Care and Who Provides It?

Long-term care is the care you need if you can’t perform daily activities on your own for an extended period of time. There are a number of different ways that this kind of care can be [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted July 6, 2021

Why Everyone Should Have an Estate Plan

Do you have a will? A durable power of attorney? A health care proxy? If not, why not? Failure to create an estate plan risks causing discord in your family for generations to come.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted July 6, 2021

What Happens to Your Online Content When You Die?

More and more of the music, movies, and books we own exist only online, in digital form. What happens to these collections after the owner's death?  You may be surprised at the answer.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted July 6, 2021

What Is a Directed Trust and What Are Its Benefits?

Directed trusts can be a useful estate planning tool, allowing you to place your family’s assets in a trust but benefit from the expertise of an advisor who knows more about the handling of [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Estate Planning
Posted July 6, 2021

Passing Assets to Grandchildren Through a Generation-Skipping Trust

Passing assets to your grandchildren can be a great way to ensure their future is provided for, and a generation-skipping trust can help you accomplish this goal while reducing estate taxes [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 6, 2021

How You Can End Up in Medicare’s Donut Hole, and How You Get Out

Medicare prescription drug plans can have a coverage gap—called the "donut hole"--which limits how much Medicare will pay for your drugs until you pay a certain amount out of pocket.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 6, 2021

Thousands of Elderly and Disabled SSI Recipients Accused of Owning Property That Isn’t Theirs

Thousands of SSI recipients have been falsely accused of owning real estate because of the Social Security Administration’s reliance on a private database that is “riddled with errors,” [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 6, 2021

Dual Eligibility: How Qualifying for Both Medicare and Medicaid Can Help With Costs

Qualifying for Medicare hardly means free health care -- there are still premiums and deductibles. However, people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (called “dual eligibility”) [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted July 6, 2021

The Need for Medicaid Planning

One of the greatest fears of older Americans is that they may end up in a nursing home. This not only means a great loss of personal autonomy, but also a tremendous financial price. Careful [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 11, 2021

Finding the Right Hospital Bed Rental

If you are caring for a loved one at home, you may need to rent a hospital bed. Here are the ins and outs of hospital bed rentals. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 11, 2021

Medicaid Recipients Have a Little More Time to Spend Down Their Stimulus Money

The one-year deadline for nursing home residents on Medicaid to spend down their first round of stimulus checks is here, but they may have a little extra time.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 11, 2021

IRS Announces That Face Masks and Related Purchases Are Tax Deductible

The IRS has announced that the tax deduction for medical expenses includes amounts spent on face masks, sanitizer and other products purchased to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. 

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted May 11, 2021

Can an IRA Affect Medicaid Eligibility?

For many Medicaid applicants, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are one of their biggest assets. If you do not plan properly, IRAs can count as an available asset and affect Medicaid [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted April 17, 2021

Can My Mom Take Out a Home Equity Loan on a House in Her Name Without Affecting My Dad’s Medicaid Benefits?

My dad is in a nursing home and qualified for Medicaid nearly three years ago. My mom still lives in their home in Pennsylvania. The [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted April 16, 2021

Latest John Oliver Rant Details Failings of Our Long-Term Care System

In a profanity-laced episode of his HBO show that is by turns hilarious and deeply disturbing, comedian John Oliver delivers one of his trademark rants, this one exposing the “abuse and [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted April 12, 2021

Medicaid’s Coverage of Nursing Home Care

For better and for worse, Medicaid is the primary method of paying for nursing home care in the United States. But navigating the Medicaid system is complicated and confusing. Here are the [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted April 12, 2021

How the $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill Aids Seniors

President Biden has signed the latest COVID-19 relief bill, which in addition to authorizing stimulus checks, funding vaccine distribution, and extending unemployment benefits, also provides [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted April 8, 2021

Can I Transfer My Grandmother’s Car to My Name Without Causing a Medicaid Penalty Period?

An elder law attorney suggested the purchase of a vehicle as a way to protect some of my grandma’s assets. While this would be [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted April 8, 2021

Biden Administration Eases Recommended Restrictions on Nursing Home Visits

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new guidance on whether families can visit loved ones in nursing homes. The guidance allows indoor visitation even when the resident [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law
Posted March 19, 2021

Beware of Non-Lawyers Offering Medicaid Planning Advice

In recent years a number of non-lawyers have started businesses offering Medicaid planning services to seniors. While using one of these services may be cheaper than hiring a lawyer, the [...]

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Uncategorized
Posted March 4, 2021

What Are the House Ownership Options When Parents and Adult Children Live Together?

Increasingly, several generations of American families are living together. These multi-generational living arrangements present legal and financial challenges around home ownership.

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By Ergood Law, LLC
In Elder Law, Uncategorized
Posted March 4, 2021

Long-Term Care Benefits for Veterans and Surviving Spouses

Long-term care costs can add up quickly. For veterans and the surviving spouses of veterans who need in-home care or are in a nursing home, help may be available.

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