Elder Law 101

One area that causes a lot of confusion regarding Medicaid is the lookback period. What exactly does it mean for applicants? Learning more about it helps to avoid asset transfer penalties when qualifying for benefits.

Medicaid 101

Knowing the cost basis of your property is important for tax purposes, but proving cost basis can be difficult without professional guidance. Cost basis adjusts after a joint owner dies and needs to be reevaluated.

Elderlaw 101

A power of attorney allows a person you appoint - your attorney-in-fact or agent - to act in your place for financial or medical purposes if you ever become incapacitated or can't act on your own behalf.

Elderlaw 101

A trustee is the person or institution appointed to manage a trust on behalf of beneficiaries of the trust.

Elderlaw 101

The terms 401(k) and individual retirement account (IRA) are bandied about quite a bit when discussing retirement planning, but what are the actual differences between the two?...

Elderlaw 101

The executor, administrator, or next-of-kin should notify the SSA by calling the 800 number for the state in which the deceased resided. In most cases, the estate must pay back the last payment received.

Elderlaw 101

When planning your estate it is important to understand the difference between probate and non-probate assets.

Elderlaw 101

As a spouse, you have the option of claiming a Social Security retirement benefit based on your own earnings record or collecting a spousal benefit equal to half of your spouse's Social Security benefit.

Elderlaw 101

If your resources are above the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program’s resource limits of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a married couple, you may be able to "spend down" to qualify for SSI, similar to the process to qualify...

Elderlaw 101