We never know when our time on earth will come to an end due to illness or accident, and being prepared for such an event is obviously a good idea. For those who want to be prepared in an effort to take the burden off family members in stressful emotional times, or for those who are either aging or seriously ill, the Five Wishes advance directive is an excellent option. The Five Wishes document is a living will that allows you to communicate with your family and friends about the type … [Read more...] about Five Wishes & Estate Planning
Elder Law
Wondering About a Pay-On-Death Bank Account
Payable on death may have some scary characteristics that only this brief summary and others like it would be able to dispel, as it isn’t just a simple stating of whom gets what as it might have been, but courts and creditors make it very difficult to leave money to those left after death. A payable on death bank account is a regular bank account, except that the account names a specific person as the beneficiary in the case of the account holder’s demise, and is one of the easiest and safest … [Read more...] about Wondering About a Pay-On-Death Bank Account
How Can I Protect My Loved One in Nursing Home?
Leaving a loved one in the care of others is not an easy decision to make. The best-case scenario would be for a relative or close friend care for them. As this is not always possible due to schedules and the complicated medical care needed, you may have to trust nursing home staff to oversee care of your family member. This can be a nerve-wrecking and frightening decision, but there are some things you can do to ease your mind and ensure that your loved one is receiving optimal care. Make … [Read more...] about How Can I Protect My Loved One in Nursing Home?
What is Elder Law and How Does It Affect You?
Elder law is an area of the law specializing in issues that affect the growing aging population. At one time, the focus of this area of the law was solely on estate planning, wills, durable powers of attorneys and other issues that affect people who may need nursing home care and their family members who cared for them. These matters are still a part of Elder law but as the baby boomer generation begins to reach retirement age, the focus has shifted. Social Security uses Patti Duke and Chubby … [Read more...] about What is Elder Law and How Does It Affect You?
When Do You Need a Medicaid Attorney?
The terms Medicare and Medicaid are confusing because the names are similar but the federal programs are set up for different purposes. Medicare is the federal healthcare insurance plan that covers senior citizens age 65 and over as well as younger people who qualify for Social Security disability payments. Medicare is partially funded by required payroll deductions from all employed persons and the remainder of the costs are paid from the federal budget. Medicaid, on the other hand, helps to … [Read more...] about When Do You Need a Medicaid Attorney?
Medicaid 101
Medicaid is a program for those who cannot afford medical care. It is managed by the state and funded by both state and federal government funds, and is the largest source of funding for medical and health services for people with limited resources. It is often confused with Medicare, but Medicare is a Federal program that is not income based and is only for those 65 and older or those who have certain medical conditions. Medicaid however, is "needs" based and serves those with limited income … [Read more...] about Medicaid 101
What is Elder Law?
Ours is an aging population. The baby boom of the mid 1900's and advances in medical care have changed the face of our society, making senior citizens the growing majority of the American population. Elder law is a growing field that focuses on the legal needs of these older citizens. Some common aspects of elder law include: Estate Planning An elder law attorney can help you plan your estate. This mean making all arrangements for your assets after you have passed away. With the help of … [Read more...] about What is Elder Law?
Can I Object to Conservatorship?
If family members feel that you are no longer able to care for yourself, they may petition the court to appoint a guardian – typically called a conservator – to look out for your best interests. If the court grants this petition, the conservator would then be responsible for making personal and financial decisions on your behalf. You can however, object to the appointment and there are some rights you retain even after a conservator has been appointed: being present during the hearing if … [Read more...] about Can I Object to Conservatorship?
Planning Ahead For Your Final Arrangements
Making plans for your own funeral might seem a little morbid, but it can be one of the biggest gifts you give to your loved ones. In the event of your death, you can save your family members the confusion, anxiety, and expense that go along with making last-minute final arrangements. A lot of people include their wishes for their final arrangements in their Wills, but this is a bad idea. Most of the time, your Will is not found – let alone read – until after the funeral is over. The best … [Read more...] about Planning Ahead For Your Final Arrangements
Medicaid Myths
The rules concerning Medicaid qualification and coverage can be complicated, and there are plenty of myths and misconceptions to confuse people even further. These are a few of the more common myths, along with the facts about Medicaid. 1) Myth: I don’t need to worry about Medicaid, because Medicare will cover my nursing home costs. Fact: Medicare only covers a very small portion of nursing home bills. The rest will need to be covered either by private long-term care insurance, out of … [Read more...] about Medicaid Myths
