Author: Michael B. Cohen

26 Jun COMMON ESTATE PLANNING CONCERNS OF AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY

Posted at 11:00h in End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Lady Bird Deed, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Miller Trust, Nursing Home, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust, Trusts, Veterans, Wills

As an elder law attorney, it may be surprising to clients that many of our referrals come from estate planning attorneys since most have limited knowledge regarding public benefits. Many are shocked that there are over 40 Medicaid programs (each with their own rules) in...

19 Jun TEXAS SENATE PASSES BILL FOR A BLOCK GRANT WITH REPEAL OR REPLACEMENT OF OBAMACARE LOOMING

Posted at 11:00h in Beneficiary, Divorce, Estate Planning, Lady Bird Deed, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement, Social Security

The Texas Senate has passed a bill (which has been sent to the Texas House) to facilitate the design and development of a Medicaid block grant waiver so that there would be a continuation of joint funding by the federal and state governments while allowing...

14 Jun CONGRESS GRANTS $400 MILLION INCREASE FOR ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH

Posted at 11:00h in Alzheimer’s, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer

Congressional Republicans and Democrats have come to a bipartisan agreement on a historic increase of $400 million in Alzheimer’s research at a time when the government is looking for ways to cut expenses. This shows that Congress feels that significant progress has been made and...

08 Jun ACTIONS TO CONSIDER NOW WITH PENDING TAX REFORM

Posted at 11:00h in 401(k), Asset Protection, Business, Estate Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Taxes

Although potential tax reform laws are far from settled, taxpayers could consider certain actions now to maximize tax savings including the following: Establish a business entity (if the business owner’s income tax rate is greater than the proposed rate) that the income or losses flow...

22 May LADYBIRD DEED, TRANSFER ON DEATH DEED OR DEED OF GIFT – WHICH IS BEST?

Posted at 11:00h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lady Bird Deed, Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Taxes, Transfer of Death

There are numerous ways real estate can be transferred to avoid probate, but which way is best will depend on the circumstances. The most common choices are either a deed of gift, transfer on death deed or a Ladybird deed (which is an enhanced life...

15 May CAR TRANSFER ON DEATH MAY SOON GET EASIER

Posted at 11:00h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Transfer of Death, Wills

The Texas Legislature is presently considering a new law permitting a motor vehicle owner to simply designate who will be entitled to the car upon the owner’s death. If a car title is jointly owned, then the sale of the vehicle requires both owners. Also...

08 May BILL TO KEEP PATIENT ALIVE IS NOT DEAD

Posted at 11:00h in Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Transfer of Death, Wills

One of the bills introduced in the Texas Senate requires doctors keep a patient alive (even if the doctor does not think that it is the right decision) pursuant to the patient’s advance directive (i.e., living will) or the decision of the patient’s family to...

01 May Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy in Action

Posted at 11:00h in Alzheimer’s, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer

There are some key bills up for debate during this legislative session. An important one involves expanding the Silver Alert Program to include those younger than 65 that have been diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's. Expanding the Silver Alert public notification system can lead to a...

29 Apr RIGHT TO DEFER HOMESTEAD TAXES EXTENDED TO DISABLED VETS

Posted at 11:00h in Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Mortgage, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Veterans

A bill has been passed by the Texas House of Representatives giving disabled veterans the same rights as those over 65 to defer property taxes on their homestead. Under present law, if you are over 65 and you own and occupy a residence homestead, you...

24 Apr WILL SECOND-TO-DIE POLICIES BECOME FIRST-TO-DIE WITH ESTATE TAX REPEAL?

Posted at 09:00h in Estate Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Taxes

Although it is unknown what suggested changes will be made to tax laws in light of the recent failure to overhaul the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), President Trump has often asserted that federal estate tax should be eliminated. At the present time, only estates greater...

17 Apr BIOMARKER RESEARCH GROUP AIMS AT EARLY DETECTION OF VASCULAR DEMENTIA

Posted at 09:00h in Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer

The National Institute on Aging and scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital are working together to detect and track vascular dementia at an early stage by the use of biomarkers in small blood vessels. Small vessel disease is the most frequent type of vascular disease seen...

10 Apr WILL TAXES ON HOMESTEADS BE REDUCED FOR SENIORS?

Posted at 11:00h in Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Taxes, Veterans

A couple of bills and a proposed constitutional amendment has been made in the Texas legislature to give tax relief for certain seniors and their surviving spouses. A joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that grants an exemption from ad valorem taxes on a residence...

22 Mar DEED SCAMS STILL ALIVE AND WELL

Posted at 09:00h in Lady Bird Deed, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer

If you have recently recorded a deed with the county clerk (and perhaps even if you haven’t), don’t be surprised if you get a letter that looks very official stating that they will provide you a copy of your deed (usually for a little more...

15 Mar THE “STATE AGE RATING FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2017” SHOULD BE CALLED THE “AGE TAX OF 2017”

Posted at 09:00h in Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Retirement

Federal law presently limits charging older adults (generally between 50 and 64 since many get Medicare at age 65) who need health insurance policies no more than three times the amount they charge other people the same products. However, if the State Age Rating Flexibility...

01 Mar CONGRESS CONSIDERING REFORMING MEDICAID WITH A PER CAPITA ALLOTMENT

Posted at 15:38h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, Divorce, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home

At the present time, the federal government matches (in some states up to 70%) state funds budgeted for Medicaid. This is an incentive for states to allot more of their budget on Medicaid and be inefficient in their spending. Medicaid spending has soared to the...

20 Feb PLANNING FOR A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Posted at 09:30h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust

If you have a child who has special needs and you want your child to be a beneficiary of your estate, a standard will or trust may be insufficient. A few things to consider are as follows: If your child became disabled before age 26,...

Medicaid Services

Author: Michael B. Cohen

26 Jun COMMON ESTATE PLANNING CONCERNS OF AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY

14 Jun CONGRESS GRANTS $400 MILLION INCREASE FOR ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH

08 Jun ACTIONS TO CONSIDER NOW WITH PENDING TAX REFORM

22 May LADYBIRD DEED, TRANSFER ON DEATH DEED OR DEED OF GIFT – WHICH IS BEST?

15 May CAR TRANSFER ON DEATH MAY SOON GET EASIER

08 May BILL TO KEEP PATIENT ALIVE IS NOT DEAD

01 May Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy in Action

29 Apr RIGHT TO DEFER HOMESTEAD TAXES EXTENDED TO DISABLED VETS

24 Apr WILL SECOND-TO-DIE POLICIES BECOME FIRST-TO-DIE WITH ESTATE TAX REPEAL?

17 Apr BIOMARKER RESEARCH GROUP AIMS AT EARLY DETECTION OF VASCULAR DEMENTIA

10 Apr WILL TAXES ON HOMESTEADS BE REDUCED FOR SENIORS?

22 Mar DEED SCAMS STILL ALIVE AND WELL

15 Mar THE “STATE AGE RATING FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2017” SHOULD BE CALLED THE “AGE TAX OF 2017”

01 Mar CONGRESS CONSIDERING REFORMING MEDICAID WITH A PER CAPITA ALLOTMENT

20 Feb PLANNING FOR A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

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Medicaid Services

Author: Michael B. Cohen

26 Jun COMMON ESTATE PLANNING CONCERNS OF AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY

19 Jun TEXAS SENATE PASSES BILL FOR A BLOCK GRANT WITH REPEAL OR REPLACEMENT OF OBAMACARE LOOMING

14 Jun CONGRESS GRANTS $400 MILLION INCREASE FOR ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH

08 Jun ACTIONS TO CONSIDER NOW WITH PENDING TAX REFORM

22 May LADYBIRD DEED, TRANSFER ON DEATH DEED OR DEED OF GIFT – WHICH IS BEST?

15 May CAR TRANSFER ON DEATH MAY SOON GET EASIER

08 May BILL TO KEEP PATIENT ALIVE IS NOT DEAD

01 May Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy in Action

29 Apr RIGHT TO DEFER HOMESTEAD TAXES EXTENDED TO DISABLED VETS

24 Apr WILL SECOND-TO-DIE POLICIES BECOME FIRST-TO-DIE WITH ESTATE TAX REPEAL?

17 Apr BIOMARKER RESEARCH GROUP AIMS AT EARLY DETECTION OF VASCULAR DEMENTIA

10 Apr WILL TAXES ON HOMESTEADS BE REDUCED FOR SENIORS?

06 Apr TOP TAX DEDUCTIONS IF YOU ARE OVER 50

29 Mar PUBLIC BENEFITS COULD BE JEOPARDIZED WHEN YOU CREATE CROWDFUNDING (SUCH AS GOFUNDME) ACCOUNTS

22 Mar DEED SCAMS STILL ALIVE AND WELL

15 Mar THE “STATE AGE RATING FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2017” SHOULD BE CALLED THE “AGE TAX OF 2017”

08 Mar LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS TO YOUR ESTATE PLAN

01 Mar CONGRESS CONSIDERING REFORMING MEDICAID WITH A PER CAPITA ALLOTMENT

20 Feb PLANNING FOR A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

13 Feb CLOSE ANNUITY LOOPHOLES IN MEDICAID ACT