The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has a new reporting requirement for closing of some residential property on or after March 1, 2026 in an effort to prevent money laundering. The reporting requirement only is applicable if the following conditions are met: Residential property –(i.e. homes, townhomes,...
After Diane Keaton’s death in October 2025, it was reported that the famous actress left $5 million of her estimated $100 million estate in a pet trust for her furry friend, Reggie, a golden retriever. Since trusts are private (unlike wills and it’s likely Diane...
As of January 1, 2026, the homestead equity limit for a Medicaid applicant who is not married and who either applies for the nursing home Medicaid program or “waiver” home care Medicaid program will increase to $752,000 ($730,000 in year 2025). Thus, if the home...
Nick Reiner, the son of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been charged with violently stabbing his parents to death. Is there any way Nick could benefit from killing his parents? Like most states, California (where the Reiners were murdered) has a slayer statute...
If you trust someone, you should have a power to attorney to give an agent the authority stated in the document. However, there a various types of powers of attorney. The following are 10 of the most frequently asked questions about powers of attorney in...
The impending release of the Epstein files, including his “Birthday Book” and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance’s investigating the IRS failure to audit his tax planning on others, could have an impact on Jeffry Epstein’s estate. When Jeffrey Epstein died in 2019, his estate...
Tom Brady announced in November that his present dog, Junie, is a clone of his former dog, Lua, who died in 2023. This was done through the use of withdrawing blood from Lua (prior to her death) and cloning technology. Although cloning technology has not...
As we live longer, there is a greater likelihood of disability and the need for long-term care. However, most Americans have inadequate resources or income for such care and also lack long-term care insurance or similar insurance products. As a result, some elderly and disabled...
Applicants for long-term care and Star+ Medicaid must be below an income cap as one of the requirements for Medicaid eligibility. If the applicant’s income exceeds the income limit of $2,982 (as of January 1, 2026), the eligibility solution for this particular requirement is the...
Precious jewels (including the Crown of Louis XV) were stolen from the Louvre on October 19, 2025. What if you inherited from a loved one some of the stolen jewels? If you knew the inherited item was stolen and you made no efforts to notify...
Fabled and infamous baseball legend, Pete Rose, will never enter the Estate Planning Hall of Fame. He had no will when he died last year. The only “planning” he did was to sign (6 months prior to his death) a licensing agreement with his agent,...
Shannon Amos, daughter of the late actor, John Amos (best known for his acting roles in “Roots” and “Good Times”), has sued her brother, Kelly “K.C.” Amos, for fraud and elder abuse and accelerating his death (wrongful death). According to Amos’ death certificate, he died...
It is official! Lachlan Murdoch will be king over the media empire created by his iconic father, Rupert Murdoch, as a result of a multi-billion-dollar settlement agreement with his other children. Rupert, now 94, wanted to give Lachlan the keys to the kingdom since Lachlan...
The combination of a large estate, a dysfunctional family, and Florida’s laws giving a surviving spouse the right to elect a portion of the deceased spouse’s estate (even if not named as a beneficiary) could result in a battle over Hulk Hogan’s estate, estimated at...
Priscilla Presley has been accused of not honoring the living will of her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley – Elvis Presley’s only child, so that she could control Graceland which is owned by the family trust. Lisa Marie’s living will (directive) stated that she wanted her...
Bob Pressman, grandson of Barney Pressman (Barney started the first retail clothing store that bears his name), is cut from a different cloth. He is seeking revenge after his mother, Phyllis, disinherited him. Her will stated “Bob doesn’t get anything for reasons he well knows”. ...
It is not unusual for many to merely focus on avoidance of probate – the process where the court decides whether the will is valid so that the executor can pay the bills and distribute the assets of the deceased. So many just name the...
Texas is one of six states that will require pre-authorization for certain traditional fee-for Medicare services starting January 1, 2026. Previously, pre-authorization was only required by those who have Medicare Advantage plans. This will apply to 17 services that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)...
Effective September 1, 2025, the “transfer of assets divisor” in Texas for long-term care Medicaid has increased from $242.13 to $262.37 (which represents the average daily cost of long-term care in Texas). The increased figure applies to Medicaid applications in Texas submitted on or after...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a blood test called Lumipulse to help diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease in some patients over 55. Lumipulse tests two proteins in the blood plasma, which detect if there are Amyloid plaques (common for those with Alzheimer’s ) in...
