SSI And The “Able” Account
Kelly is 24 years old. She is on the autism spectrum and is receiving SSI. She is doing her best to be independent, but the monthly stipend is limited and it is difficult to live on her own with minimal…
Supplemental Needs Trust: Protecting Government Benefits
Recently I received a call from a long-time client in a complete panic. She had been talking to her friend about the planning that they each implemented and the friend insisted that the client established the wrong trust for her…
Home Care: The Challenges of 24-Hour Coverage
With the Home Care industry already struggling to maintain proper staffing, and Medicaid restructuring their payment system a few years ago, the idea of getting 24-hour coverage by paying privately or through Medicaid has become cumbersome. As a result of…
Ensuring a Secure Future: Inheritance and Special Needs Planning
One of the most frustrating things as a Special Needs planning attorney is to have someone in my office doing planning and they tell me that they need to disinherit a family member because they are receiving some kind of…
Why Estate Planning is Essential: Avoid Costly Mistakes
“My mother has too much money, so I guess she has to pay privately for her home care”, Mary told me recently. As an Elder Law Attorney for over 17 years, I can tell you that I hear this almost…
Real Estate Ownership and Transfer
So you own your home and you think that it will be transferred to your family upon your passing without going to court. But is that really the case? What does all of this mean? A house that is owned…
Do You Own Property In Two States?
It’s that time of year where we are celebrating with our loved ones and we are starting to make plans for what we want to do better or different in the coming year. Reassessing your estate plan should be at…
As a Parent, Why Should I Have a Memorandum of Intent?
As we age, we are taught that it is important to have a will. Some of us even recognize the value of having a Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will, and Living Trusts. However, there could be…
How Supplemental Security Income Can Help Those in Need
Social Security is a retirement benefit for individuals who are working and contributing to the social security system. However, it also has a benefit for disabled workers and disabled individuals. Supplemental Security Disability Social Security Disability (SSD) is a plan…
Is a Pooled Income Trust Right for Me?
A pooled trust allows disabled individuals who are under age 65 to become financially eligible for public assistance, e.g. Medicaid, SSI, etc. This type of trust provides flexibility—allowing individuals to preserve their assets and monthly income necessary to pay for…