Binding Arbitration and Admissions Agreements – Part 2
In last week’s post I wrote about a New Jersey Appellate Division case that was handed down a couple of weeks ago concerning an arbitration clause in an assisted living facility contract. I explained that there is a federal law that favors and encourages arbitration but there is also a New
Binding Arbitration and Admissions Agreements
We frequently review long term care facility agreements for our clients. We want to be sure they understand what is contained in these agreements which can be 30 pages or more with multiple attachments and exhibits. It is a legally binding contract that contains rights and responsibilities for each party but the
Some Important Numbers for 2022
Much of the economic news recently has focused on inflation rates. The current rate of inflation is at the highest its been in the last 30 years, 6.2% on an annual basis. Against that backdrop, the Social Security Administration has announced it’s cost of living adjustment for the coming year 2022. The
New Tax Law Changes Coming? Part 2
In my post last week I talked about recent draft legislation which would make changes to federal income, gift and estate tax laws. Many of our clients have called asking what they should do and I must remind callers that nothing has changed yet. We are at the beginning of what is
New Tax Law Changes Coming ? – Part 1
We have received many calls about upcoming changes to the federal income, estate and gift tax laws. To be clear, nothing has changed yet. Draft legislation has been proposed by the House of Representative’s Ways and Means Committee but right now it is nothing but a proposal. Things can and often do change
On Credit Cards and Medicaid – Part 2
In last week’s post I told you about two calls I received regarding Medicaid. In each case the caller was concerned about how credit card charges on a Medicaid applicant’s card affects eligibility. A common misconception about Medicaid is that debts affect eligibility. Not true, at least in the sense that the State
On Credit Cards and Medicaid – Part 1
In this week’s post I want to tell you about two recent calls we received that highlight the same issue. Each caller reached out to us concerned about a family member who soon will run out of money to pay for long term care. Recognizing the need for Medicaid benefits, the callers
The Unknown (Half) Sibling – Part 3
In this third post of three I have been discussing Mary’s call to our office. She had taken care of her cousin, Sam in his home until his death following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Sam had promised he would leave Mary his home but he never put that in writing
The Unknown (Half) Sibling – Part 2
In last week’s post I was telling you about Mary’s problem. She had moved in with and taken care of her cousin, Sam after his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. She had given up the lease on her apartment when she agreed to the arrangement and Sam promised in return to leave her
The Unknown (Half) Sibling
I have written in this blog previously about the outcome of estate distribution when the decedent (person who died) did not execute a will. New Jersey intestacy laws predetermine what happens to your assets and it may not be what you want. Mary called because her cousin, Sam had recently died. Mary had