Is Paying Cash a Problem When Filing a Medicaid Application?
This week I am pleased to introduce a new feature to my blog called “Elder Law in a Minute”. This is a short video in which people have an opportunity to ask some of their most pressing elder law questions, ones that may be on your mind too. We’ll mix
A Family Owned Business Long Term Care Nightmare (Part 2)
Last week we were talking about George’s tragic stroke and need for nursing home care. He still owns the manufacturing business he built and the warehouse which houses it. His son, John, asked me whether those assets are protected from being spent down towards care before Medicaid qualification. Like so
A Family Owned Business Long Term Care Nightmare (Part 1)
George built his manufacturing business from scratch. He and his wife, Claire, had raised a family of 2 boys and a girl, but George treated the business like another child, nurturing it from infancy to maturity. It had allowed him to provide for his family, putting all 3 children through
Mom Has $1,000,000 – She’ll Never Run Out of Money (Part 2)
Last week we were discussing Paul’s mom, 88 years old and in need of nursing home care. She has $1,000,000 in assets so first impressions suggest that she won’t ever need Medicaid. But, upon further examination, we might want to reconsider that conclusion. Here’s why. Paul’s initial statement about never qualifying,
Mom Has $1,000,000. She’ll Never Run Out of Money (Part 1)
Paul called concerning his 88 year old mother who needs nursing home care. “She doesn’t have a power of attorney. I think she needs one”, he said. I concurred but our conversation didn’t stop there. As we always do, I asked him about Mom’s finances. “Her income consists of Social
No Luck with Medicaid? VA to the Rescue
Karl had been in an assisted living facility for several years and doing well there. His family felt fortunate. Although Karl didn’t have much in the way of assets he did have income from Social Security and a pension, totaling $5000. He also had a long term care insurance policy
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men
It was a call I received a number of years ago but one I’ll always remember. Don called regarding his mother’s need for long term care. Her health had been slowly declining but she was still living at home. Her investments were dwindling and she needed increase care. It was
Harry’s Law – Hollywood and Elder Law Collide (Part 2)
So, last week we were talking about Gloria and Abe, the subject of an elder law plot line on the NBC drama, Harry’s Law. Gloria wants to divorce Abe because she can’t afford the long term care that Abe needs without selling their house and leaving her destitute. A discussion
“Harry’s Law” – Hollywood and Elder Law Collide
Over the years, not surprisingly, there have been many televisions series that focus on the legal profession. The stories are interesting, entertaining and often emotional. LA Law was a popular show back when I was in law school. Currently, Kathy Bates stars in Harry’s Law, which focuses on Harriet “Harry”:
An Opportunity You Don’t Want to Pass Up
This is a special time of year.  No, I’m not talking about Halloween or the traditional holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. It is Medicare’s open enrollment period, a once a year special event. Medicare is one of the many government programs that can be maddeningly confusing. There are so