In my practice, I counsel caregiver spouses and caregiver children; people who are caring for loved ones with dementia. One fact has become obvious to me: Caregivers do the very best they can. Most embrace the caregiving challenge. Someone they love needs them and they want to help. Along with that embrace, caregivers go through moments of sheer frustration. …
Many people are reluctant to consult attorneys for long term care planning because: the cost of consulting with an attorney is seen as significant. qualifying for long term care benefits is seen as a non-legal matter that should be straight-forward and not require legal assistance. care facilities may offer to prepare benefits applications for residents for no charge. they have …
Clients ask me this question all the time. Do I need a trust? Some people mistakenly believe that a trust is somehow “better” than a will, or that everybody with significant assets needs to have a trust. Often, people want to avoid probate expenses, minimize estate taxes, or ensure a hassle-free process after they die. However, in many cases, we can achieve all …
Many people have heard that Medicaid has a 5 year look back period. But what does this mean? Clients often bring it up, but they rarely understand it. The 5-year look back applies to long-term care Medicaid services Medicaid is a large umbrella that includes many different programs. The 5-year look back applies to Medicaid’s long term care programs. …
Proper estate planning should be a priority for young parents. Though parents do not expect to pass away while their children are little, tragedies do happen and it is important for you to be prepared. A comprehensive estate plan will give you peace of mind in the present and financial security for your children in the future. Though every estate …
Ah, estate planning. My grandparents are getting pretty old, so they should probably get that done. And my parents? They are pretty wealthy, so they should probably look into it as well. But me? I’m young! I’m healthy! And I don’t really have that much by way of assets, anyway. Clearly, I don’t need to worry about estate planning for …
Happy New Year! With a New Year comes the implementation of new laws. The Virginia Legislature certainly wants to keep us on our toes! Read on to learn how the newly implemented Virginia Code § 64.2-308 et. seq. could affect your Medicaid eligibility. The Quick Answer A testamentary spousal Special Needs Trust (SNT) will no longer preserve a surviving spouse’s …
On September 15, attorneys Susan Jean and Jennifer Kahl lectured to other elder law attorneys at the 25th Annual Advanced Elder Law seminar. Our subject was Crisis Medicaid planning with a specific emphasis on real estate.
When we are working with Estate Planning clients, we will often recommend that once we have finalized their documents, that they keep a copy of their Advance Medical Directive / Durable Medical Power of Attorney and their Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information (HIPAA) in the glove compartment of their vehicle(s) so that if they are ever in an accident, …
Recently Susan I. Jean, one of the Partners at the Heritage Law Group, won an appeal of a nursing home discharge. A local nursing home was discharging a resident without assuring that there was a safe place for the resident to go. By knowing what the law requires of a nursing home before legally discharging a resident, she was able …