Many teachers, firefighters, police officers and people who received a pension due to work not covered by Social Security may receive (or have received) a Social Security benefit increase pursuant to Social Security Fairness Act signed by former President Biden on January 5, 2025 which...
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...
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...
Similar to tax planning, where the client often wants to pay as little taxes as possible and plan accordingly, many want to preserve as many resources as possible while obtaining Medicaid assistance so that the government will help pay for the cost of care in...
The cost of long-term care is great (the average is around $7,500/month in Texas). As a result, many apply for long-term care Medicaid for governmental assistance to help pay for the facility and drugs. It is not unusual for us to receive calls after either...
Sometimes abuse can come from those closest to you even if they are named to act in their capacity as a fiduciary. A person acting as a fiduciary (such as an agent under a power of attorney, a trustee of a trust, a guardian or...
Identity theft is real. The brazen attempt of foreign fraudsters to foreclose on Graceland, the former home of the late iconic singer, Elvis Presley, illustrates the need to be vigilant in the protection of your assets – and so should the representatives of your estate...
If you don’t have a will or beneficiary designation of assets, inheritance is determined by state law which is called intestate succession. If the deceased was married at the time of death but has no will, then a surviving spouse will have some inheritance rights...
U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky of Illinois has proposed a bill that would end Medicaid estate recovery (Medicaid estate recovery is the process to recoup care costs such as nursing home care, care at home, medications, etc.) from the estate of the deceased Medicaid recipient. Typically,...
Long-term care Medicaid (the government program that assists in payment of nursing home care and medication) is means-tested. The government looks at an applicant’s assets prior to obtaining eligibility for paying for long-term care. The government (Texas Health and Human Services Commission) also considers income...
Since long-term care Medicaid (which helps pay for skilled nursing care and medications) is “means-tested” (assets of the applicant are reviewed to determine if there is eligibility for the government to pay), there is a 5-year “look-back” period as there is a presumption resources were...
As of January 1, 2024, 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 $713,000 ($688,000 in year 2023). Thus, if the home...
Surviving spouses are entitled to numerous rights under federal and Texas laws. The following are just a few of the many that widows and widowers should be aware. Homestead rights Under the Texas Constitution, a surviving spouse is entitled to the exclusive right to occupy the homestead...
The cost of long-term care is great (average is around $7,500/month in Texas). As a result, many apply for long-term care Medicaid for governmental assistance to help pay the facility and drugs. It is not unusual for us to receive calls after either a facility...
Applicants for long-term care and Star+ Medicaid must be below an income cap as one of the requirements for eligibility. If the applicant’s income exceeds the income limit of $2,829 (as of January 1, 2024), the eligibility solution for this particular requirement is the creation...
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...
Your homestead is usually the largest asset you might own. Most people would prefer to stay at home as long as possible - even if there is a need for skilled care rather than living in a facility. As a result, often elderly (over age...
Tara, the fictional plantation in “Gone with the Wind”, was more than Scarlett O’Hara’s plantation home. It was a symbol of family and continuity for Scarlett. The homestead is often the most important (in addition to being the most valuable) asset that a deceased person...
Home, sweet home - the most valuable asset of many. However, if you need financial assistance for long-term care, you have to be careful when making a transfer. Long-term care Medicaid (which helps pay for skilled nursing care that many seek since Medicare has limited coverage...
Although it is normally not recommended that a 96-year-old buy any type of annuity, the facts below illustrate how a 96-year-old was willing to bet his money on a plan that included the purchase of a Medicaid-compliant annuity that saved him $6000 a month for...
