If Medicare were a classroom, nursing homes would earn an “easy A.” Or that’s how it used to be, at least. But now a brand-new rule is changing all that, and America’s mistreated seniors stand to benefit. View image | gettyimages.com Under the old Medicare rating system, nursing homes were assigned scores of up to… Read More »
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For Retirement, “Where” Might Mean More Than “When”
When it comes to retirement planning, most people’s focus is on when and how to do it — or whether they really want to retire at all. But The New York Times is shining a light on a question that might matter even more — where do you want to retire? View image | gettyimages.com The… Read More »
Divorce Means a Split for Couples and Their Estate Plans
From a legal perspective, divorce is an onerous process. From discovery and negotiation to alimony and custody, couples often emerge beleaguered and ready to give the formalities a rest. View image | gettyimages.com That’s understandable. But as The Wall Street Journal points out, there’s at least one more step that recent divorcées need to take: estate… Read More »
Choosing the Wrong Personal Representative for a Will Could Cost Millions
We always stress the importance of choosing the right personal representative for a Last Will and Testament. The ideal candidate is someone impartial, capable, trustworthy, and fair. It isn’t a decision to make lightly. View image | gettyimages.com Why not? Well, consider this story from Forbes. The cast of characters, as they put it, includes:… Read More »
Book Review: Me Before You
Some novels are designed merely to entertain. Others shed light on the human con-dition and, particularly, how we face challenges, such as disability and death. JoJo Moyes’ novel1 artfully presents the narrowing choices faced by a once vibrant “king of the world” (born to wealth and all the privileges that accords, gifted in other ways,… Read More »
Don’t Assume Your Estate Plan is All Set
So, you have your estate plan in place. If you did it more than a few years ago, have you reviewed it? Does it still make sense for your needs? Are your accounts and beneficiary designations correct? Take some time to double-check and actually schedule a time to talk with your estate planning attorney to… Read More »
SELECTING FIDUCIARIES
The term “Fiduciary” defines anyone who acts on behalf of another. The simplest fiduciary is an “agent,” often appointed under a Power of Attorney. But other agents are appointed by court (guardians, conservators, administrators, and personal representatives) or by written agreement (health care proxies and trustees). Since one purpose of estate and long-term care planning… Read More »
A 2015 New Year’s Resolution – Finally Get Your Estate Plan Done
It’s that time of year again – time to make your New Year’s resolutions! Consider doing or updating your estate plan as a New Year’s resolution for 2015. Here are the reasons why you should get your estate planning done this year. Why should you do an estate plan? 1) Probate Avoidance: With no estate… Read More »
MEDICARE BENEFIT FOR SKILLED NURSING CARE CAN CONTINUE EVEN AFTER “PLATEAU”
Medicare pays for the first 90 days of hospitalization for a single benefit period (either a single hospitalization or a series of hospitalizations for the same illness). 42 U.S.C. §1395d. Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to an additional 60 “lifetime reserve” days which can be used only once in a lifetime to cover any additional days…. Read More »
Understanding a Pour-Over Will
A Pour-Over Will is a type of Will that directs your assets to a trust that is separate from the Will. The reason for “pouring” assets from the Will over to a trust is so that the trust will direct what happens with your assets. Having your trust control the assets provides for potential tax… Read More »