Divorce rates have been going down over the last few decades, but there are still plenty of marriages that do not withstand the test of time. Many of these folks get remarried, and Psychology Today has stated that the majority of second and third marriages do not succeed. This is the reality, and even though … [Read More]
Important 2022 Medicare Facts and Figures
When a new year approaches, the parameters of the government benefit programs for senior citizens are adjusted for the following year. We have recently shared information about the Social Security cost of living increase, and we will look at Medicare in this post. Part A Deductibles and Coinsurance Hospitalizations are covered through Medicare Part A. There … [Read More]
Federal Estate Tax Exclusion Increased in 2022
When you are planning your estate, you have to be mindful of its value relative to the federal estate tax exclusion. This is an amount that can be transferred tax-free, and the remainder would be subject to the tax and it is 40 percent top rate. Each year, there are inflation adjustments, and they are … [Read More]
Key Facts About Medicaid Planning for Married Couples
If you earn a good living and you have always received health insurance coverage through your employer or an exchange, you would have no reason to understand the Medicaid guidelines. You know that you will be covered until you become eligible for Medicare when you are 65. This makes sense on the surface, but many … [Read More]
Elder Financial Abuse Is All Too Common
As you get older, you will invariably have a new set of concerns, and this is simply part of the human condition. You should be aware of the challenges that are looming so you can take the appropriate preventative measures. Elder financial abuse is a major problem that a lot of people never think about. … [Read More]
Answers to These Questions Will Shape Your Estate Plan
A lot of people that are fully aware of the importance of estate planning are unprepared because they don’t have a starting point. With this in mind, we will share some questions here. When you think about the answers, your estate plan will start to take shape. Are family members relying on your income? Even … [Read More]
Why Would You Need a Life Estate?
There are numerous tools in the estate planning toolkit, and one of them is the life estate. We will explain why people use life estates in this post, but first, we will share some background information to provide context. The Process of Probate A will is not administered by the executor independently without any supervision. … [Read More]
Five Key Facts About Trust Administration
Many people do not consider the possibility of creating a trust because they harbor misconceptions about the administration process. In this post, we will share five key facts that will help you understand the value and relative simplicity of living trusts. You act as the trustee. One of the most important things to understand about … [Read More]
Is an Inheritance Subject to Capital Gains Taxes?
We are going to look at the question of taxes on appreciated assets in this post. After we provide an explanation of the step-up in basis, we will conclude with an overview of the potential impact of the other types of taxes. Basis Reset Let’s say that your grandmother passes away and she leaves you … [Read More]
Brace Yourself for Alzheimer’s When You Plan Your Estate
Elder law attorneys are forced to explain some unpleasant truths to their clients, and one of them involves cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease is a widespread threat because it strikes just under 13 percent of all seniors, and there are 200,000 people under 65 with the disease. As you get older, the likelihood of contracting Alzheimer’s … [Read More]
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