I’m sure James Gandolfini had good intentions when he updated his estate plan in December 2012, months after the birth of his daughter. But good intentions sometimes result in costly consequences, and this is no exception. Thanks to poor estate…
When a loved one goes into a nursing home it can be a difficult transition for the whole family. This can be especially true for the “healthy spouse” who stays at home while his or her spouse is in a…
Good news - We are all living longer. Not so good news - while the increase in longevity is improving, Americans are ranked 27th among 34 countries considered America's economic peers. We are also ranked 27th in high body mass…
Often when a celebrity dies unexpectedly the public becomes interested in their estate either because it’s extremely large, there is some sort of squabble over the assets, or there is no estate plan at all. In the case of James…
If you read this blog post and only remember one thing, I hope it is this: NEVER APPLY FOR MEDICIAD UNLESS YOU QUALIFY. It is very important that you create your plan, use legal strategies to protect your assets, and…
Most people think of an income tax refund as a good thing. But if you are an individual who receives, and relies on, monthly Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) payments, then receiving an income tax refund may cause some concern. Since…
Someone once said there are two sets of rules: one for the informed and another for the uninformed. In Medicaid planning, as in life, this is an unfortunate truth. Congress has provided many opportunities to protect assets, but you can’t…
In a landmark 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Wednesday, allowing same-sex couples to enjoy the same federal benefits as married opposite-sex couples. In Windsor v. U.S., the Justices ruled that DOMA, which…
Are you thinking of a way to honor a loved one in a meaningful way? Did your loved one have a special affection for her school or for a particular subject area? Colleges, Universities, High Schools and even Elementary Schools…
This Medicaid Mistake may seem obvious, but it is a common one. Don’t give your children your assets until you consider the consequences. We all work hard to give our children everything we can, and many of us derive great…