Reading the Will – An Urban Myth?
There is an amusing Direct TV commercial which takes place in an attorney’s office that highlights a practice that doesn’t exist any longer in New Jersey (if it ever did) and, to my knowledge, isn’t practiced in most other states. The attorney is conducting what is known as “the reading
How a Tax Refund Can End Up Costing You Big
Janet and Murray have been married for 50 years. Murray is in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and Janet finally was forced to place him in a nursing home. Murray recently received Medicaid approval and Janet got to keep the house and $100,000 in assets.  She filed a joint income
Will I Be Responsible for My Parents’ Nursing Care?
That’s a question of real concern for many and one we are hearing more about as the population ages, increasing the number of Americans needing long term care, and federal and state budget deficits continue to grow. Can nursing homes pursue children for unpaid nursing home bills? Can the State deny
How Getting the Right Advice Can Save You $500,000
A recent client of ours presented the following very common fact pattern. Jack and Diane are in their early 60’s. Diane was diagnosed in her 50’s with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease and now needs nursing home care. The couple have a primary home, a small vacation home at the Jersey
Are You Walking into the Medicaid Office Blindfolded?
Here’s the scenario. Mary calls because Dad’s money is going to run out in a few months. She is anticipating the need for Medicaid but wants to get the jump on things by applying now because she heard it can take several months to qualify. My answer is that you
Don’t Make the Same Mistake Bill Made
The world is ever changing, and in recent years, with the technology boom, it seems that the rate of change has increased dramatically. In the long term care world, we are seeing the same thing, and not in a good way. We are receiving more calls lately from people in
Another Trend to Rival the Aging Babyboomer?
When asked whether I am busy in my practice, I always make reference to the fact that the population is aging and that there are 77 million baby boomers beginning to enter senior status this year. As more people enter the long term care system things will only get busier.Â
Underground Storage Tanks and Long Term Care?
It just keeps getting worse doesn’t it? I’m talking about the economy and our federal, state and local governments’ inability to balance their budgets and provide the services and assistance they have provided in the past and promise to provide in the future. And is why you can’t expect the
OK, I Can Keep My Home – But Can I Sell It?
A very common question I get from clients and prospects in the following situation. We are working towards qualifying Betty’s husband, Joe, for nursing home Medicaid. I explained to Betty that as long as she is living in the marital home she can keep it. But she will lose some
A Mom Without a Home?
Mary called with the following story. Mom had sold her home in New Jersey 8 years ago. The plan was for Mom to live with Mary in New York. However, her health deteriorated rapidly and she never moved in with Mary, instead living in an assisted living facility in New