Blog

21 Jul ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL IMPACT ON NURSING HOMES

Posted at 13:23h in Elder Justice, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid, Medicaid Planning, Nursing Home

Although the One Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, may not directly impact nursing homes, such skilled nursing facilities are likely to feel the pinch. Medicaid is a joint program between the federal and state governments. Most nursing homes in...

14 Jul IS JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESTATE “WASTING AWAY IN MARGARITAVILLE” DUE TO CO-TRUSTEES SUING EACH OTHER

Posted at 13:12h in Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts

Jimmy Buffett’s widow and co-trustee of his trust, Jane Slagsvol, and his longtime financial advisor, accountant, and co-trustee of his trust, Richard Mozenter, have filed suits to remove each other as a trustee. The trust estate is worth an estimated $275 million dollars (which includes...

07 Jul FREQUENT FLYER MILES OFTEN CRASH AFTER DEATH

Posted at 13:01h in Digital Assets, Estate Planning, Inheritance

Many accumulate frequent flyer miles or loyalty rewards for traveling with airlines. However, most of the larger commercial airlines do not permit mileage or points to transfer upon the death of the person who accumulated the mileage or points (the “member”). The policies of each...

01 Jul BRIAN WILSON’S ESTATE PLANNING ERRONEOUSLY GAVE HIM “GOOD VIBRATIONS”

Posted at 12:41h in Estate Planning, Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Wills

The estate planning of Brian Wilson, the legendary co-founder and primary songwriter of the Beach Boys, was a mixed bag. Wilson, whose death was announced on June 11, 2025, had a revocable living trust, which was likely beneficial in numerous ways, ranging from probate avoidance...

26 Jun NEITHER PRINCE WILLIAM nor HARRY WILL INHERIT PRINCESS DIANA’S CHILDHOOD HOME

Posted at 15:00h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Inheritance, Last Will and Testament

The Althorp Estate, Princess Diana’s childhood home and final resting place, will likely be inherited by her nephew Louis Spencer, instead of her children, Prince Harry and Prince William. The family estate has been owned by the Spencer family since 1508, and it is presently run...

23 Jun OPTIONS IN HANDLING A DECEASED FAMILY MEMBER’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

Posted at 14:53h in Deceased Privacy Protection, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Power of Attorney, Wills

Have you ever been notified of a friend’s birthday even after their death? Sometimes family members (parent, sibling, child, spouse) or executors fail to notify Facebook of the account holder’s death. Instead of doing nothing, there are 2 options: (1) deletion of the account or...

16 Jun FATHER ATTEMPTS TOTAL PICK OF “AMERICAN PICKERS” STAR’S ESTATE BY WILL CHALLENGE

Posted at 14:46h in Estate Planning, Guardianship, Last Will and Testament, Wills

The last will and testament of Frank Fritz (who was a star on the popular television show “American Pickers” on the History Channel) has been challenged by his father, Bill Fritz, due to lack of capacity. Frank was a co-host on the show (where he and...

09 Jun CELEBRITY CASE UPDATE: ELIZABETH HURLEY’S SON LOSES MILLIONS FROM TRUST DUE TO BEING ILLEGITIMATE

Posted at 14:39h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Trusts

A California appeals court has ruled that neither Damian Hurley (whose mother is famous actress, Elizabeth Hurley) nor Kira Bonder, the illegitimate children of the late Stephen Bing, could receive hundreds of millions of trust funds from their paternal grandfather, Dr. Peter Bing, since they...

02 Jun 6 WAYS TO PROTECT THE EQUITY VALUE OF A HOMESTEAD FOR LONG-TERM CARE MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY AND MEDICAID ESTATE RECOVERY

Posted at 13:58h in Assisted Living, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer

Although there is unlimited equity limit of a homestead to be excluded as a countable resource if the applicant for long term-care Medicaid is married and the non-applicant spouse lives in the community (the community spouse), there is a $730,000 equity limit in 2025 if...

23 May POPE FRANCIS’ LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT COMPARED TO THE 3 POPES BEFORE HIM

Posted at 10:37h in Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Probate Administration, Wills

Unlike the last will and testament that one might consider in the United States, the last will and testament of Pope Francis focused on where he should be buried (Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome) where he had prayed often. His will stated “I...