Preventing a Will Contest
It may be impossible to keep relatives from fighting over your will entirely, but there are steps you can take to try to minimize squabbles and ensure your wishes are carried out.
New Rule Once Again Allows Nursing Home Arbitration Agreements
The Trump administration is officially rolling back a ban on the use of arbitration agreements by nursing homes, once again allowing nursing facilities to ask families to give up their right to sue over patient injuries or deaths.
Reports Find Hospice Deficiencies Go Unaddressed
Hospice care is supposed to help terminally ill patients maintain their quality of life at the end of their life, but two new government reports find that serious problems in some hospices may be actually causing harm to hospice patients.
Should You Sell Your Life Insurance Policy?
Older Americans with a life insurance policy that they no longer need have the option to sell the policy to investors. These transactions, called “life settlements,” can bring in needed cash, but are they a good idea?
Medicaid’s Gift to Children Who Help Parents Postpone Nursing Home Care
There are circumstances in which transferring a house will not result in a Medicaid penalty period, and one of those is if the Medicaid applicant transfers the house to a “caretaker child.”
Powers of Attorney Come in Different Flavors
A power of attorney is a very important estate planning tool, but in fact there are several different kinds of powers of attorney that can be used for different purposes.
How to Plan Your Funeral
Thinking about your funeral may not be fun, but planning ahead is helpful. It both lets your family know your wishes and assists them during a stressful time.
A Final Retirement Account Distribution Must Still Be Made After Death
Federal law requires that after you reach age 70 1/2, you must begin withdrawing a minimum amount
from your retirement accounts. But what if you die after age 70 1/2 and before all the account funds have been distributed?
Medicare Launches App to Help Beneficiaries Find Out What’s Covered
At the doctor’s office and want to know if a procedure is covered by Medicare? There is now an app for that.
How Gifts Can Affect Medicaid Eligibility
We’ve all heard that it’s better to give than to receive, but if you think you might someday want to apply for Medicaid long-term care benefits, you need to be careful because giving away money or property can interfere with your eligibility.