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 [...]

Many retirees look forward to [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]

Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) renews the federal guidelines that seek to protect individuals whose spouses are applying for [...]

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 Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis can be a challenging journey for the person and family alike. When the diagnosis occurs, a ticking clock begins on the [...]

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

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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.

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.

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.

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.