04

Apr

Are Pensions Treated the Same in Your Estate Plan as Other Retirement Accounts?

The first private pension plan in the United States was established in the late 1800s. Through 1980, nearly 40 percent of Americans were covered by a traditional employer-funded pension. But employer-provided retirement plans have now largely shifted to retirement savings vehicle...

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04

Apr

What to Do When a Disability Throws Your Estate Plan into Chaos

As poet Robert Burns mused centuries ago, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Despite thoughtful effort and a concerted strategy, you cannot prepare for every emergency in life. A car accident, sudden illness, workplace injury, or chronic medical condition can forc...

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04

Apr

If My Will Is Filed with the Court, Will It Go through Probate?

Death is a personal and private affair that affects the deceased's close family and friends. However, there is at least one aspect of death that may require state oversight: probate. Probate is the court-supervised process of either (a) carrying out the instructions laid ou...

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04

Apr

How to Choose the Right Agents for Your Incapacity Plan

Many people believe that estate planning is only about planning for their death. But planning for what happens after you die is only one piece of the estate-planning puzzle. It is just as important to plan for what happens if you become unable to manage your own financial or medi...

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04

Apr

5 Essential Legal Documents You Need for Incapacity Planning

Comprehensive estate planning involves more than just planning for your legacy after your death, avoiding probate, and reducing taxes. Good estate planning also appoints people to make legal, financial, and medical decisions for you if you are alive but unable to make those decis...

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04

Apr

Don’t Lose the Family Home Due to Medicaid Estate Recovery.

Ever since the COVID-19 virus hit our state this spring, I have heard many instances of families facing the loss of the family home after a parent or grandparent has died while receiving Medicaid benefits to help pay the cost of a long term nursing home stay. This is especially...

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04

Apr

Do Not Miss Out on All of the Medicaid Exemptions You are Entitled To

Medicaid rules can be confusing and even Department of Social Services caseworkers get their own rules wrong from time to time. Having an advocate that can work through the maze of rules can pay off for the family. In North Carolina, a Medicaid applicant can have up to a $10,000...

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04

Apr

New Rules to Help Veterans with Medical Expenses

Veterans and their spouse should be aware that there are new rules that went into effect on October 18, 2018, regarding qualification for a type of Veterans’ assistance known as Improved Pension, with Aid and Attendance Benefits. Unfortunately, these new rules have put in place p...

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04

Apr

North Carolina Increases Attacks Against the Estates of Long Term Care Medicaid Recipients

The Department of Health and Human Services at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved an amendment to North Carolina’s State Medicaid Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act effective as of June 1, 2017. In these changes North Carolina has formalized a ch...

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04

Apr

Helping Aging Families Qualify For State Assistance Without Going Broke: A Financial Rock And A Hard Place

As the baby boom generation ages at the same time that health care costs are rising, many middle class elderly individuals and their families face the prospect of paying enormous health care costs. Chief among these is the cost of skilled nursing facilities, which range from $5,0...

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