PLANNING AHEAD: Should you decide on a trust or a will?
By Janet Colliton, Esq.
Sometimes we receive calls at the office requesting a will with estate documents (financial power of attorney, health care power and living will — also referred to as advanced directives). In that case a potential client might say “I don’t want anything complicated. Just the basics.” Sometimes, often after having heard a speaker either in person or on television or online, a potential client will call and emphatically state that he or she needs a trust. What kind of trust might be hazy but he or she strongly believes only a trust will do. In either case the next question is often “How much does a will (or a trust) cost?”
Marielle F. Hazen, Esq., to Illuminate Legislative Updates at Stetson College of Law’s Pooled Trust Intensive Event
Binary News Network
Attorney Marielle F. Hazen, Esq., CELA, is set to share her comprehensive knowledge and insights during the highly-anticipated “Call to Action/Legislative Update” at the Stetson Pooled Trust Intensive event. The session is slated to take place on October
18, 2023, from 4:15pm-5:15pm.
Legal Ease: Paying for nursing home care — how to apply for Medicaid
By Rebecca A Hobbs, ESQ. CELA, O’Donnell, Weiss, and Mattei, P.C.
The task of applying for Medicaid to pay for nursing home care can be overwhelming when unfamiliar with the process. The first step in the application process is to gather the required information. The Department of Human Services (DHS) requires that
five years of financial records be submitted with the Medicaid application. Therefore, you must provide bank statements and tax records going back five years. Along with the financial records, you must also provide basic documents such as your birth
certificate, marriage certificate/divorce decree, insurance cards, Social Security card, etc.
Marielle F. Hazen, Esq., to Illuminate Legislative Updates at Stetson College of Law’s Pooled Trust Intensive Event
Binary News Network
Attorney Marielle F. Hazen, Esq., CELA, is set to share her comprehensive knowledge and insights during the highly-anticipated “Call to Action/Legislative Update” at the Stetson Pooled Trust Intensive event. The session is slated to take place on October
18, 2023, from 4:15pm-5:15pm.
Law Guys: The 30-year-old law that changed the rules for people with disabilities
By Julian Gray and Frank Petrich
The Federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 was signed into law 30 years ago on Aug. 10, 1993. This highly contested and complex piece of legislation barely passed through Congress with then Vice President Al Gore breaking the tie vote in the
Senate. While this law contains many broad provisions, we are focused on reviewing the significant impact it had for people with disabilities both then and now.
Get Marty: When do you need an Elder Law Attorney? There is a lot of bad information out there, this is where you find information you can trust.
Marty Griffin talks to Julian Gray about contacting an Elder Law Attorney.
When do you need to contact an Elder Law Attorney? It's a question my friend Julian Gray gets a lot at Julian Gray. While he says it's never too late, it's always better to build that relationship sooner rather than later, and it could save you thousands
of dollars by helping you make the right decisions.
PLANNING AHEAD: Outlining some common estate and Medicaid myths
By Janet Colliton
Since estate issues, one way or another, affect everyone over time (since death does) and since Medicaid planning has for many years been a topic of popular conversation — and popular misconceptions in the U.S., it is not unusual that both subjects have
generated misunderstandings and, in some cases, folklore that has persisted.
Ranking Organizations Should Consider Board Certification as a Factor When Rating Lawyers in Practice Areas
By Steven B. Lesser
For decades, established organizations such as Chambers and Partners, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, and others have ranked lawyers in specialty areas after performing research, soliciting peer review, interviewing with potential
lawyer candidates and in some instances speaking to their clients.
“Life happens.” It’s such a common saying because it’s true – life does happen. Children are born, people marry, many go off to college, some couples divorce, some come into money or property, others have a health issue occur and so on. As a result, you
may want prepare your estate plan so that you are prepared for the unexpected.
Kentuckians invited to take part in virtual conference on Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is hosting a free virtual Alzheimer’s educational conference for Kentucky residents.
According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), the conference is part of the National Educating America Tour and will bring in medical, elder law, and dementia care experts to discuss a variety of Alzheimer’s and senior-related issues, provide
tips and strategies, and information on local resources.
Michael J. Millonig of Michael Millonig, LLC in Dayton, Ohio has been selected for inclusion in the 27th Edition of
The Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Elder Law. Continue Reading......
Elder Law Guys: Time for a non-medical checkup? Review your will
JULIAN GRAY AND FRANK PETRICH
We’ve written often in the past about the need for each of us to have an estate plan in place, not just for us, but also for our loved ones.
The plan should include a will and/or trust, a power of attorney for financial affairs and a health care directive. As many as 60% of us die without a will. For those of you who may have listened to our preaching about the necessity to have one and actually
went forward with doing it, congratulations.
Press release: The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is holding a free virtual conference on August 20th at 10:00 am to help Wisconsin residents affected by
Alzheimer’s during the COVID-19 crisis. Featuring Jennifer O'Neill, CELA
As many of us return home for the holidays, we might see certain signs that our parents are not only aging but also, perhaps, are in declining health. What are those signs, and what should we do if we see them? Our guest has some answers. He's Tulsa-based
attorney Todd Whatley, and he's with the Oklahoma Elder Law Group.
Elder Law Guys: Halloween is scary, but even scarier is failing to get your papers together
Julian Gray, CELA and Frank Petrich, CELA
The scary holiday of Halloween is almost upon us and this topic may add to your discomfort. Many of us may have (finally) gotten our estate planning act together, with all of the appropriate documents signed, and feel pretty good about it.
But there may be a major step yet: putting all of your stuff in an easily accessible place for those called upon to act on your behalf. Note that you may be unable to physically or mentally act for yourself. And, if you’re dead, someone needs to act on
behalf of your estate (we said this might be a scary topic).
Arkansas lawyer works to educate Arkansans about estate planning
For the past 14 years Justin Elrod, CELA has dedicated his life to being an attorney, but about three years into his career, the type of attorney he wanted to be changed.
When Sudden Emergency Strikes, Will you and they be ready? Amos Goodall, Esq. #122
August 6, 2019 • 28 min Emergency Preparedness For Seniors Attorney Amos Goodall, president of the National Elder Law Foundation outlines a handy and vital list of things you need to have ready ahead of any unforeseen disaster or emergency,
to keep you and your aging parents safe. On it: three critical things I know you would never think
Be 'biggest advocate':Parents plan future for adult children with special needs
By Sheryl Nance-Nash Special to Newsday Updated May 9, 2019 7:00 PM
It's not just a matter of navigating day by day: Parents need the foresight to plan for their child's future - especially for when they will no longer be around.
All adults should have an advance directive. An advance directive, however, is not a medical order; some may want to have medical orders to provide direction in the event of certain medical events.
It stands to reason that elder law will provide new opportunities for lawyers. Yet elder law covers a wide range of practice specialties, which makes this emerging discipline hard to pin down.
In a recent ABA Journal story, Marc Davis notes how the legal practice has followed the demographic shift toward an aging population.
The National Elder Law Foundation identifies 12 elder law subject areas that encompass pension and insurance matters, financial and consumer fraud, fiduciary representation, health care
planning, and trusts and estates. Five hundred lawyers hold the foundation’s Certified Elder Law Attorney credential, which involves meeting experience, CLE and peer review requirements, then passing a daylong exam.
A Family Meeting as Part of Effective Estate Planning
Tammy Weber, CELA®
Effective estate planning takes time and evolves over the various seasons of life. Often, a family meeting is one of the final steps in the estate planning process. There seems to be a trend among baby boomers to want to make sure there is
transparency and understanding regarding their decisions so that when they pass away, their wishes are known and family conflict is minimized, if not avoided altogether. A family meeting is very helpful when there is an uneven distribution of
assets (actual or perceived), a blended family, a beneficiary with substance abuse or gambling issues, or when there have been gifts that have been made during lifetime.
How To Plan The Legal And Financial Needs Of A Loved One With Dementia
Christopher Berry, CELA®
Forbes Council Post
If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, there are certain things that your family needs to plan for both legally as well as financially. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States
as of 2018, and currently, there is no cure.
On Sept. 18, the Department of Veterans Affairs published new rules regarding needs-based, non-service related governmental benefits for veterans and their spouses. These benefits are commonly known as Aid and Attendance benefits. The new rules became
effective Oct. 18. Aid...
Recently, I had the opportunity to review my certification in Elder Law, a designation referred to as Certified Elder Law Attorney or CELA, and it occurred to me that many, probably most, people do not know what certification in...
When illness strikes, you do not usually think of legal relationships. But when a spouse needs serious care and is married to a second wife or husband, family relationships can bring with them unexpected problems and conflicts — both...
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Sept. 14, 2018) – When it comes to elder law advice, there’s plenty of misinformation. As the president of the National Elder Law Foundation, Amos Goodall has made it his mission to get the public thinking...
This article was originally posted in as a column at www.mysanantonio.com Dear Mr. Premack: I am in my second marriage. My husband’s first wife died years ago with a probated will leaving the house to him. He has grown children,...
Here you are, a hard-working career person with kids and parents. Suddenly one or both of your parents become ill or injured. Now, you may find you are being put in the role of your parents’ caregiver. For our purposes,...
According to the U.S. Census, there were 47.8 million people over the age of 65 in the United States in 2015, and it’s expected that this figure will grow to 98.2 million by 2060. Many dermatologists are familiar with...
In this time of identify theft and consumer scams, the Social Security administration has determined to issue new Medicare cards. In this time of identify theft and consumer scams, the Social Security administration has determined to issue new Medicare
cards....
Of all the legal documents people sign during their lives, a power of attorney is arguably the most important. Of all the legal documents people sign during their lives, a power of attorney is arguably the most important. Yet many...
Elder law attorneys are very different from other attorneys. They define their practice not by the type of legal problems they handle but by the type of persons they help. Elder law attorneys are very different from other attorneys. They...
"If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your own path." - Buddhist Proverb Mentorships are mutually advantageous for both the mentee and mentor, particularly in a field as complex and demanding as law. Professional women have been...
Many folk have large retirement accounts. According to the Investment Company Institute 2016 Yearbook, in 2015, members of 60% of US households had invested $24 trillion in retirement market assets, including IRA’s, 401k’s, 403b’s, Simple IRAs,
and others. This...
In order to obtain certification as an Elder Law attorney from the National Elder Law Foundation,1 a candidate must achieve several goals. One most often discussed is the certifying examination. This six-hour exam has 300 possible points. In prior...
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