Beneficiary

01 Mar Little Richard’s Brother Says “Good Golly, Miss Molly”

Posted at 10:55h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lawsuits, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Wills

Little Richard’s Brother Says “Good Golly, Miss Molly” After Being Removed as Co-executor and Losing Share of Estate The Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that Little Richard’s brother lose a share of the publicity rights to Little Richard’s estate after thwarting a proposed sale of...

25 Feb Court Rules That Estranged, Specifically Disinherited, Daughter Could Be Sole Beneficiary of Mother’s Estate

Posted at 10:23h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lawsuits, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Wills

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that, notwithstanding a provision in the decedent’s Will that her daughter was intentionally omitted and disinherited, the daughter could inherit the entirety of her mother’s estate. Linda Giguere prepared a Will in 2012 that if her husband, William, predeceased...

17 Feb Are Mobile Homes a Stepchild in Beneficiary Designations?

Posted at 10:17h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lady Bird Deed, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Transfer of Death, Trusts, Wills

It is often the goal of many to simply avoid probate even though it is often best to have a Will or Trust to consider protection for the beneficiary. Financial accounts can be established with a beneficiary designation to avoid probate. Real estate can be...

29 Jan Kellie Pickler in a Pickle

Posted at 13:58h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Music, Probate Administration, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust, Wills

Kellie Pickler in a Pickle In-laws to Kellie: “These Are Not the Best Days of Your Life” Country star singer and former American Idol contestant, Kellie Pickler, has sued her late husband’s parents in a dispute over who owns certain personal property items after they took...

20 Jan 2025 Long Term Care Medicaid Income Cap Increase – When and How to Use a Miller Trust

Posted at 13:45h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Social Security, Transfer of Death, Trusts

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 $2,901 (as of January 1, 2025), the eligibility solution for this particular requirement is the...

02 Jan Tax Planning as a Result of Trump’s Election

Posted at 09:05h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Trusts, Wills

The election of Donald Trump and the control of both the House and Senate by the Republican Party is likely to have a great impact on tax planning. As a result, planning strategies could change. Higher Estate Tax Exemption As of January 1, 2025, the federal estate...

01 Jan Decision Tree Chart on Ladybird Deeds vs. Transfer on Death Deeds

Posted at 09:40h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Home Equity, Lady Bird Deed, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Mortgage, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Trusts

Decision Tree Chart on Ladybird Deeds vs. Transfer on Death Deeds Many ask the question on the differences between an Enhanced Life Estate (Ladybird) Deed and a Transfer on Death Deed since both avoid probate. In other words, the grantee/beneficiary of the deed would simply either...

23 Dec 10 Ways to Make Things Easier for Others In the Event of Your Death or Disability

Posted at 08:40h in Beneficiary, Disability Benefits, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Quality of Life, Retirement, Trusts, Wills

No one likes to think about death or disability, but here are a few tips to make things easier for your heirs, beneficiaries, or those you trust. 1. Keep your estate planning documents in a safe place It is generally more difficult to probate a copy of...

27 Nov Estate Planning Decision Tree Chart for Will vs. Revocable Living Trust – 20 Issues

Posted at 10:23h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, Business, Divorce, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Lady Bird Deed, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust, Taxes, Transfer of Death, Trusts, Wills

Estate Planning Decision Tree Chart for Will vs. Revocable Living Trust – 20 Issues One of the most common dilemmas in estate planning is whether it is better to have a Will or a Revocable Living Trust (RLT). There are numerous types of trusts, but this...

26 Nov Richard Simmons’ Trust – Weighty Battle For Control Between His Brother And Housekeeper

Posted at 12:45h in Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lawsuits, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Trusts

The late weight savant Richard Simmons once said, “I don’t talk about my personal life, and I don’t talk about death.” However, the recent lawsuit by Richard Simmons' housekeeper/manager, Teresa Reveles, to be reinstated as co-trustee (after she had signed a document to decline such...