Recent Blog Posts
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
As it has for thirty years, early March marks the beginning of Brain Injury Awareness Month. Brain injury, often referred to as traumatic brain injury (TBI), can range from mild (commonly called a concussion) to severe and is caused by an impact to the head or the body or by a penetrating head injury…. Read More »
March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month
In March of 1987, the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month began, calling upon all Americans to provide the opportunities and encouragement necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential. Since then, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) holds a campaign each March to communicate the importance of inclusion and story… Read More »
Reviewing and Updating Your Estate Plan after the Death of a Loved One
The death of a loved one is never easy. Regardless of your relationship with the deceased (blood relative, life partner, or close friend), you need space and time to process and grieve your loss. Once you have had time to cope with all that has happened, you should consider updating your estate plan in… Read More »
Including Noncitizens In Your Estate Planning
With our society becoming increasingly mobile and international travel becoming more affordable than ever before, families and family-like relationships have steadily grown far more diverse in terms of citizenship. It is no longer uncommon for spouses from different countries to retain citizenship in their native countries. Many couples split their time between the United… Read More »
A Guide to Leaving Real Estate to Loved Ones (+ Pros and Cons)
Owning real estate continues to be a very popular investment vehicle for individuals and couples alike. One attractive feature of investing in real estate is that investment property can also double as a personal residence. In other cases, real estate investments may be rental, recreational, commercial, or farm properties. Whatever the case, it is… Read More »
Coping With More Days of Pandemic Uncertainty
We have vaccines, however the rollout has been slower than expected. COVID-19 is raging throughout many states. So how do we continue to maintain strong mental health during the next several months after enduring so much already? The human being is hardwired to evaluate risks that can interfere with our wellbeing. However, these evolved… Read More »
Can Medicaid Take My Home?
Home ownership is the American Dream. People work hard all their lives to own a home, and it is often their most valuable and significant possession. So when your health begins to fail and the need for long-term care arises, as a Medicaid planning attorney, I often get this fear-filled question from my clients:… Read More »
Third-Party Supplemental Needs Trust
If you want to provide for a loved one who is disabled or has special needs when you are no longer here, care must be taken to ensure that the inheritance you leave will help rather than harm your loved one. An inheritance received outright could negatively impact your loved one if he or… Read More »
When is Medicaid Crisis Planning Appropriate?
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program available to individuals who meet certain asset requirements that help them pay for long-term care (LTC) costs. Long-term care often creates devastating financial impacts on Americans, particularly the elderly, and for those family members who lose hours of income (and more) while providing care for their… Read More »
My Loved One Has Died: As an Heir or Beneficiary, Do I Need an Attorney?
You just found out that your favorite aunt, Aunt Melba, has died. In the midst of your grief and sadness, you receive a notice from the attorney handling Aunt Melba’s affairs stating that you are a beneficiary. Your best friend advises you to get an attorney. What should you do? Will Aunt Melba’s attorney… Read More »
