Since the 1960s, Medicaid has provided health care coverage for low-income people across the United States. For millions of seniors, Medicaid offers financial assistance, helping them to cover [...]
Estate planning for blended families is key to a smooth inheritance process, especially since probate rules and intestate succession law do not treat step and biological children the same when [...]
Trusts can offer many benefits, including allowing assets to pass directly to beneficiaries and charitable organizations without going through probate, minimizing taxes, and [...]
Life insurance can be an integral and important part of a well-drafted estate plan. There are numerous benefits to owning a life insurance policy aside from providing a large sum of money to [...]
As a spouse, you have the option of claiming a Social Security retirement benefit based on your own earnings record or collecting a spousal benefit equal to half of your spouse's Social [...]
As adults age, they may want to remain in their homes and communities for several reasons. For one, remaining in one's own residence preserves independence.
Though Medicaid exists to help those who need it, navigating the specifics of what it covers and does not cover can be daunting. Here are highlights on the basics of Medicaid [...]
As the U.S. population ages and life expectancies increase, the need for long-term care is becoming an important consideration for many individuals and families.
A guardianship or conservatorship protects the interests of an adult who can no longer make decisions for themselves. A guardian or conservator is someone (or several people) with the legal [...]
When making a will, you’ll work with an estate planner to designate those who will inherit from you. The persons (or entities, such as a charity) you choose are the [...]
In general, the probate process moves quickly if the estate has minimal assets and little debt. Larger estates can take anywhere from nine months to a few years, especially with problematic [...]
What would happen if you became seriously ill or injured and were no longer able to make your health care decisions? A living will can outline your wishes so your loved ones can make [...]
If your parent did not prepare for incapacity and name a person to act as their power of attorney, you won’t be able to create a legal document after they are mentally impaired. You will need [...]
Americans have a growing appetite for prescription drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, they are now exploding in popularity as a [...]
Sadly, there are seemingly limitless financial fraud schemes that affect older Americans. The impact of financial abuse is [...]
Elder law attorneys understand the challenges of planning long-term care amidst the shifting care environment. Evaluating costs and developing strategies to pay for long-term care before you [...]
If your assets are above the resource limit that would allow you to qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to engage in Medicaid planning. Legal strategies will allow you to qualify for [...]
To secure the maximum amount in monthly Social Security retirement benefits, Americans must wait until full retirement age to start receiving their payouts. [...]
Recently proposed legislation seeks to offer financial relief for unpaid family caregivers. The Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act of [...]
Although 2024 Medicare premiums are seeing an increase, there are nevertheless a few bright spots.
Under a new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan starting in 2025, all Medicare prescription drug plans, including Medicare Advantage plans, will offer enrollees [...]
Your most valuable property may be your home. You likely want your children to inherit that value when you pass away. [...]
Most older adults acknowledge that estate planning is essential. Yet, nearly half of Americans age 55 or older do not have a will. Even fewer [...]
Some people may wish to decline life-saving treatment if facing a terminal illness. Others opt to seek out a physician's assistance in dying. Acting to end life [...]
When one member of a couple moves to a nursing home, we expect that spouse will be the first to die, but this isn’t always the case. What happens if a Medicaid recipient's spouse dies first?
Nursing home residents do not automatically have to sell their homes in order to qualify for Medicaid, but that doesn't mean it's completely protected. A lien can be placed on the house to [...]
The National Council on Aging reports that more than 16.5 million adults 65 and older experience economic insecurity. Rising housing and health care bills can also burden seniors on fixed, [...]
Caregiving is hard work and it is easy for caregivers to get burned out. Adult day care centers provide care and companionship in a group setting to seniors who need supervision during the [...]
Not talking to your adult children about their inheritance comes at a cost. Do what you can to manage expectations for adult children [...]
In a survey published this past fall, more than 1,000 participants aged 18 to 99 shared insights on their estate plans – or lack thereof. In fact, more than half [...]
Visiting an attorney to get your estate plan done is one New Year's resolution that you should [...]
Even if your children get along well, the distribution of your assets can require conflict resolution skills. Without previously experiencing any significant [...]
Qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trusts enable individuals to maintain control over the assets they leave their spouse while preserving wealth and leaving a meaningful legacy for [...]
A death doula, or end-of-life doula, is a person who serves as a companion for a dying person and typically assists their loved ones in providing comprehensive [...]
With the arrival of the new year, revisions to the annual gift tax and estate tax exclusions will be going into effect, as recently announced by the Internal [...]
With multiple generations getting together for holiday meals, gift exchanges and quality time, these annual gatherings present an [...]
An independent living facility is a housing arrangement that caters to older people, usually aged 55 and older. Some people may refer to these facilities as [...]
Most seniors want to be able to stay at home as long as they can instead of moving into a nursing home. The PACE program provides care and services to some nursing home-eligible seniors to [...]
For older adults experiencing hearing difficulties, over-the-counter hearing aids
In 2023, recipients of Social Security benefits saw the biggest increase in decades in their monthly checks. Although their payouts will indeed rise again in [...]
In 2023, seniors were happy to see their Medicare Part B standard monthly premiums and annual [...]
If you are a senior on a fixed income, you may worry that you will not have the money to fill your fridge. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) [...]
The SSA has overpaid billions of dollars in benefits to Social Security recipients. An overpayment occurs when Social Security gives [...]
Someone who is incapacitated cannot make personal decisions or understand legal documents. An incapacitated person requires a [...]
Many couples in their 30s and 40s are providing for their families and balancing care duties between the needs of children and parents. Managing it all takes preparation, organization, and [...]
By creating Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST),
Creating a living will ensures your future health care decisions and plans are respected. A living will is a legal document outlining [...]
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes are long-term housing and care options for older adults. Although people sometimes use [...]
Understanding some of the common medical and legal terms in the field of estate planning and elder law can give you added confidence [...]
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 [...]
Although in many situations the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when selecting beneficiaries, there are always exceptions.
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. [...]
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.
Trusts are legal arrangements used in estate planning, alongside wills and advance directives.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Hospice care is a type of health care that patients with terminally ill conditions rely on at the end of their lives.
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.