Planning Before the First Spouse Dies
           Mary called because her mom was in a nursing home paying $11,000 per month. Her sister, Terry, disabled and living with Mom for many years, had her own health problems and was now living in a group home.            I asked about her mom’s finances. Mary told me she owned
The Problem with IRAs – Part 2)
           Last week I was explaining the problem with IRAs and long term care. If you need care at $125,000 per year or more but want to protect your IRA, what are your options? It’s always easiest to illustrate by way of an example.            Bill has an IRA worth $1.2
The Problem with IRAs
           IRAs, or any retirement accounts really, have always been a problem when it comes to long term care. They are a great vehicle for accumulating wealth. You can put away savings in an account which will earn interest on a tax deferred basis. No income tax is paid on
Dangers of the Due on Transfer Clause (Part 2)
           Last week I was telling you about George’s problem. He had transferred his home to a trust to protect it but then received a letter from the bank referring to something called the due on transfer clause.            A transfer of title without permission could trigger the bank’s entitlement to
Second Marriage – Happily Ever After? (Part 2)
               Last week I was telling you about George and Mary. Mary has dementia and may soon need nursing home care.  George had gone to an elder law attorney who told him that once Mary spent down her assets she’d qualify for Medicaid. That advice came at a time when
Second Marriage – Happily Ever After?
               George called me because his wife, Mary wasn’t doing well. She has dementia and he is facing the prospect of needing long term care for her, possibly in a nursing home, although he would like to do everything possible to keep her at home.                As the conversation always does,
Confusing Medicaid with Other Government Programs (Part 2)
               Last week I was telling you about the call I received from Lou. His dad had been living in senior housing but now needs nursing home care. Dad has $80,000 left in assets which he plans to spend down and then apply for Medicaid.                When I asked Lou about
Confusing Medicaid with other Government Programs
               The other day, Lou called me about his dad, who had been living in senior housing for a few years.  His health has deteriorated and he now needs nursing home care. Lou’s plan is to spend down the $80,000 his dad has left, applying it towards the nursing home
VA Pension not Income for Medicaid Purposes (An Update)
               Last year I wrote about an important court ruling in a case that impacts Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Several elder law attorneys filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey which, despite being in clear violation of federal law, insisted on counting VA Aid and
Retitling Assets to Healthy Spouse to Qualify for Medicaid
           It’s something I have written about in past blog posts but just last week we received a call from Mary on this exact issue. Her husband, George, has Alzheimer’s and now needs care at home. She is concerned that as his condition worsens it won’t be long before he