Why Obamacare Is So Hard To Replace Part 2
Earlier this year, February 21, 2017, I wrote a column titled “Why Obamacare Is So Hard To Replace.” As most everyone knows, the various attempts of the Republican House of Representative and Senate to pass alternative health care plans to replace Obamacare failed thereafter as every Democrat and some Republicans voted against them. Now as […]
Continue readingCan Children Be Responsible For Their Parents’ Bills
When parents enter a nursing home or assisted living, adult children are often confused regarding their responsibilities. Does it matter whether one of them signs Dad in and is considered a “responsible party?” How about signing as “indemnitor?” Is it safe to be agent under power of attorney and does biological relationship alone bring with […]
Continue readingAre Inheritances Protected And Other Medicaid Myths
Suppose you are married and inherited a substantial sum from Aunt Jane that you dutifully placed in a separate account in your name only. Your husband (or wife) has become chronically ill and you believe that eventually he/she will need to receive Medicaid benefits either in a nursing home or at home under the Medicaid […]
Continue readingShort Term Care Insurance Fills Some Long Term Needs
So, let’s assume that you are 69 or 70 years old. You always intended to buy long term care insurance but figure now that ship has sailed. You are too old, you think, or maybe it will be too expensive now. You have a few minor health issues and do not know whether you will […]
Continue readingIt Is Medicare Open Enrollment Time Again
It is Medicare Open Enrollment time again and that means time for another refresher on what that expression means. If you are age 65 or over you are probably by now being bombarded with mail urging you to purchase a plan. It is important to know the facts behind the glossy brochures and whether you […]
Continue readingWhat Happens to Your Debts When You Die
You might have sizeable debt when you die or you might be totally debt free. In either case your heirs and the Executor of your Will need to know what to do. Here are some guidelines to help. Your debts do not die with you. We all might wish that our credit card debt or […]
Continue readingIs It Realistic to Stay At Home Indefinitely?
When healthy adults are asked would they rather stay home or move to a nursing home, the answer is obvious. When residents of facilities are asked if they would like to come home, the answer is typically the same. Studies demonstrate that most people would rather stay home and “age in place.” The exceptions I […]
Continue readingWhat Happens When You Run Out of Money In a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)?
When clients ask me to review an agreement to enter a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), the most frequently asked question is “what happens if I run out of money?” The issue may be presented in another way such as “what are the major risks?” or “Will I have to move if I run out […]
Continue readingConsider Mediation for Elder Disputes
Sometimes families reach a stalemate where a parent’s future and the management of assets is involved. Warring family members can challenge who cares for Mom or where parents should live when they cannot live at home, or whether frail elder parents can stay at home with outside assistance when they are unable to care for […]
Continue readingHow to Handle Lower Social Security Benefits for Women
When a husband and wife come into my office and we review assets and income, very often I would find the husband’s Social Security to be $2,400 a month or more and his wife’s benefit at $1,000 or less. They might both have been employed outside the home. What is the reason for the difference? […]
Continue readingDo It Yourself Caregiving or Hire Decision Time
Deciding when or whether to give up doing tasks on your own or hiring someone or an agency employing someone to do it for you is one of the most unrecognized stressful activities that we are called upon to accomplish on a regular basis. This becomes especially relevant when considering whether to hire caregivers for […]
Continue readingIs the Better Care Reconciliation Act Better?
This column, written in advance, has the task of appearing on July 4, Independence Day. Coming from Philadelphia which has quite a history of involvement with American independence, I wonder whether our Founding Fathers (and Mothers) could have conceived we would be spending this time in the year 2017 wrangling over health care. Probably not. […]
Continue readingTurning 65? –Clearing Up Confusion on Social Security and Medicare
Retirement used to be simpler. At age 65 you would generally start collecting Social Security and also begin to be insured under Medicare. It was the frequently accepted retirement date from your job and, with your gold watch and farewell party, everything was set. Today Boomers might decide to begin collecting Social Security at 62 […]
Continue readingWhat You Need To Know When a Family Member Dies
When you are dealing with illness and grief the chances are that you may not be able to pull together what to do when your husband, wife, parent or sibling dies. You might choose prayer with the help of scholars at www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org for the deceased soul’s peace. You might look for a Will or the […]
Continue readingWhy Elder Law Attorneys and Financial Planners Should Work Together
A few years back a client unexpectedly stated during a meeting “I can’t plan. Things keep changing.” Almost instinctively I answered “Because things keep changing you must plan.” This idea has inspired me ever since. If we think about it, if nothing changed there would be little or no need for a plan. If we […]
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