New Medicare ID Cards
     In an effort to prevent fraud, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has redesigned Medicare cards. The cards are still red, white and blue but they will no longer contain a Social Security number, gender, signature and other personal information, all of which could compromise the Medicare
Unexpected Inheritance – Too Good to Be True? Part 2
    In last week’s post I shared with you a letter my client, John Smith, received about an unexpected inheritance. There are several red flags that tell us it’s a scam.     The letter contained the bank’s recognizable logo. It appeared to be “off”, although I was
Unexpected Inheritance – Too Good to Be True? (Part 1)
    In this week’s post I will share with you a letter a client received that he forwarded to me. Our client – we’ll refer to him as John Smith (not his real name) – received a letter from the account manager at a foreign branch of
Searching for a Support System (Part 3)
    In last week’s blog post I explained some options for our hypothetical client, Jane Doe, who has a limited family and friend support system. Neighbors, friends from different walks of life and professionals both on the health care and legal/financial side can be alternatives. I have found
Searching for a Support System (Part 2)
    Last week I was talking about the hypothetical client, Jane Doe. Jane does not have a family and friend support system to turn to when she can no longer handle her own financial and medical affairs and decision making. What options does she have?     Trusted
Searching for a Support System (Part 1)
    I received a reader email a few weeks back asking me to write about aging seniors who have no family or friends to rely on. I wrote about this topic last January (see blog posts 1-2-17 and 1-9-17) but we are seeing the scenario with increasing frequency,
The Right to Control Funeral and Burial Arrangements (Part 2)
    In my post last week, I explained how my client Joe can insure that his burial wishes are carried out. One option is to set up a prepaid burial plan. He can set aside money in trust to cover the burial arrangement he has chosen while alive.Â
The Right to Control Funeral and Burial Arrangements (Part 1)
    Recently my client, Joe asked me how he could be sure his wishes with respect to his funeral arrangements would be honored. Joe is not married. He has children but is not close with them. He has no siblings. I suggested to him that he could set
Irrevocable Trusts and Medicaid (Part 3)
    I promised in last week’s blog post that I would explain another solution to Mary’s Medicaid dilemma. Her uncle left assets in a trust for Mary but the terms provide that the funds can be used for Mary’s health support and maintenance. I explained to Mary and
Irrevocable Trusts and Medicaid – Part 2
   In last week’s blog post I was talking about a call I received about Mary, who is now in a nursing home. She has spent her assets towards her care and the only source of payment left is money that was left in an irrevocable trust for Mary’s