Last week I shared part one of my Consumer's Guide to Medicaid Planning. This week I would like to focus on part two of the guide which deals with what assets a single person or if married, the couple are allowed. I will also address some of the frequently asked questions I encounter from clients. There are very specific guidelines of this benefit program that must be followed. Often, qualifying requires careful planning. Failing to follow these steps may delay benefits

As the founder of the Elder and Estate Planning Law Firm, I specialize in helping Michigan families protect their estates. Whether you are worried about nursing home expenses that cost an average of almost $12,000.00 per month, assisted living expenses, having your estate avoid probate court or planning for a special needs child or grandchild, I have helped thousands of families obtain peace of mind when faced with such issues. Often this involves qualifying for Medicaid or V

One of the most important estate planning decisions you will make is deciding who will be responsible for your affairs if you become disabled and who will administer your estate after your death.  This “job” often requires a great deal of time and responsibility which can include making health care decisions, paying bills, managing investments, selling a home or vehicle, yearly accountings, filing tax returns, dealing with other family members, etc.

Estate planning can often seem overwhelming. Fortunately, as a certified elder law attorney, I can help with all of your estate planning

Nearly everyone is familiar with IRA, 401(k) or 403(b) accounts. These tax advantaged investments allow investors to use pre-tax dollars to save for retirement. Many people unfortunately are unaware of the tax benefits available through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). With rising health care expenses – a 65 year old couple retiring today will spend more than $250,000 on medical expenses over the next two decades - HSAs offer the potential for significant tax savings and ev

Leaving your family to sort through all of your papers after your death or following an emergency is often very time consuming

The elderly are increasingly looking to their families to provide care for their needs. Unfortunately, as the growth of the elderly population outpaces the younger generation, there are fewer caregivers available to take care of elderly loved ones. This causes significant stress on caregivers as they try to handle the care for a loved one (often on their own) while also managing their own family. The typical family caregiver is a female in her mid to late forties, works full-

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than five million older Americans and is the most common form of age-related dementia. Yet despite decades of research, there exists no definitive biological test to identify it – no blood test or brain scan for example. A diagnosis is commonly based upon a number of cognitive and physical assessments with sometimes inaccurate or conflicting results. Research by the National Institute on Aging suggests that about one-third of Alzheimer’s dia

A few years ago, The National Elder Law Foundation newsletter discussed a handout the author provides to clients who have a terminal illness. The hand out is designed to help clients prepare for their eventual death particularly those who recently learned they are suffering from a terminal illness. The recommendations include:

As the founder of the Elder and Estate Planning Law Firm, I specialize in helping Michigan families protect their estates. Whether you are worried about nursing home expenses that average nearly $11,000 per month, assisted living expenses, having your estate avoid probate court or planning for a special needs child or grandchild, I have helped thousands of families obtain peace of mind when faced with such issues. Often this involves qualifying for Medicaid or VA benefits, cr