Newsletters

Podcasts

Blog

Call or Text (469) 210-5270

 

Estate Planning

07 Mar

Posted at 17:25h in Disability Benefits, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Power of Attorney, Probate Administration, Trusts, Wills

When world famous Chanel fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld died on February 19, 2019, it has been widely speculated that a good portion of his estimated estate of more than $150,000,000.00 will be inherited by his Birman cat, Choupette, if proper legal planning was prepared. Lagerfeld...

07 Mar

Posted at 17:16h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Inheritance, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Trusts, Wills

Although most parents do not want to disinherit a child, sometimes they become estranged for reasons ranging from disrespect by the child to the child doing some sort of criminal act. As a result, sometimes disinheritance becomes logical and needed. The following are a few ways...

12 Feb

Posted at 21:18h in Divorce, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement, Social Security, Success Story of the Month

Husband (the “institutionalized spouse”) enters into a nursing home in November 2018 while his 70 year old wife (the “community spouse”) lives at home. Husband has no long-term care insurance and his income is insufficient to pay for his care (generally at least $5,000 to...

12 Feb

Posted at 21:12h in 401(k), Assisted Living, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement

Although there are many still unanswered questions and there has been no written policy since changes were initially announced last August, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on February 7, 2019 attempted to clarify its new policy regarding treatment of retirement accounts (traditional...

12 Feb

Posted at 21:05h in Assisted Living, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Retirement, Social Security, Veterans

Many wartime veterans or their surviving spouses who become disabled (for reasons other than wartime service) are entitled to a benefit to help pay for costs of care (most commonly if the veteran or their surviving spouse is in an assisted living facility). Although the...

12 Feb

Posted at 21:02h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, Business, Disability Benefits, Estate Planning, Inheritance, Lawsuits, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Taxes, Texas Bar Today Top 10 Blog Posts, Trusts

Trusts are often a good tool to achieve one’s estate planning. Although this list is not exhaustive, the following are common things to consider: Protect beneficiaries from lawsuits. If properly drafted, a trust created in your Last Will and Testament or in your own revocable or...

17 Jan

Posted at 14:37h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, Business, Disability Benefits, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Lady Bird Deed, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Probate Administration, Social Security, Transfer of Death

Although certain assets such as a home, car, mineral rights (subject to limitations) and businesses essential for self-support are “non-countable” when applying for long-term care Medicaid, there are numerous exceptions to avoid a successful claim by the State to be paid back for benefits (such...

16 Jan

Posted at 16:26h in Business, Disability Benefits, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Home Equity, Lady Bird Deed, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement, Social Security, Transfer of Death

As the aging population continues to grow, there is more likelihood of disability and a need for long-term care. However, the majority of elderly Americans fail to have long-term care insurance or have adequate assets to be self-insured. As a result, many elderly people rely...

16 Jan

Posted at 16:23h in 529 plan, Asset Protection, Assisted Living, Beneficiary, Disability Benefits, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Financial Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Power of Attorney, Public Benefits Protection, Retirement, Special Needs, Special Needs Trust, Transfer of Death, Trusts

When it comes to estate planning, most immediately think about planning for their death first. However, approximately 30% of Americans will become disabled or incompetent at some time during their lifetime. A Will only becomes effective at your death – not if you are disabled....

Skip to content