When you watch our show, Truth in Planning, you will notice two people discussing estate planning and elder law stories—and one of them isn’t an attorney. The show includes attorney J. Kevin Tharpe and his longtime friend and co-host Gary Anderson. Though Gary is not a lawyer, he contributes valued insight into estate planning because he is a financial advisor. Granted, your financial advisor is not the person who Read More
Estate Planning & Elder Law: Distinct But Complementary
It is very common. When you discover that an attorney builds estate plans, you may see “elder law” as a separate practice area. Though the skills attorneys develop through crafting estate plans may lay the foundation for a career in elder law, they are still two disciplines. Furthermore, you will discover they are answers to two different questions. Two Questions When you approach an estate planning attorney, you Read More
Prepping For Your First Estate Plan
Even if you have never considered creating an estate plan before and have not yet begun, you still have made the responsible decision to start. To help you along, we will provide some insight about what you can do before you ever meet with an estate planning attorney. Most of the tips will work in conjunction with the things you will do with a lawyer. The odds are that they will ask you to do some of these steps. By Read More
Competency vs. Capacity
Though you may have heard these two terms being used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings—and they have specific applications. Capacity and competency are separate, but they are also determined by different people and used for unique purposes. Competency The terms get misunderstood and switched because “competency” is sometimes referred to as “legal capacity.” To help you understand the term, remember the Read More
Benefits For An Aging Veteran
There are over 18 million veterans in the United States. Almost 1 out of every 10 Americans has served in the military. These people represent critical moments in our history—from World War II to the Global War on Terrorism. Even the most recent conflict has veterans who have aged out of military service or have reached retirement. Because of their service, there are numerous benefits available to them. This Read More
Should nursing home residents have a medical power of attorney?
If you are planning to move your elderly parents into a nursing home, you undoubtedly have a great deal on your plate. After all, not only must you choose the right facility, but you also need to figure out how to pay for extended care. Encouraging your parents to write a good estate plan may be key. As part of the estate planning process, your parents may want to create a durable power of attorney for health care Read More
No will or trust for your estate: What happens at your death?
If you have high-end property, it may be a challenge to plan your estate well. Even after careful planning, there may be changes in your life that can result in the invalidation of your original plans. For instance, if there are family changes or changes in tax laws that complicate your initial estate plan or will. However, when this happens and you pass away, Georgia law allows the distribution of your property to Read More
What is Medicaid Estate Recovery?
Many Georgia seniors turn to Medicaid to help cover long-term medical care costs. However, doing so may affect the estates of some seniors. What is the Medicaid Estate Recovery program? Medicaid Estate Recovery The Medicaid Estate Recovery Program is a federally required program. Chapter 111-3-8 of the Rules of Department of Community Health, Medical Assistance explains the program. This program requires that Read More
Protect your assets from Medicaid’s estate recovery program
Thanks to medical advancements and lifestyle changes, Georgia residents have a longer life expectancy than at any other time in history. As a result, more people must face the reality of long-term care. This requires being financially prepared. According to Georgia Medicaid, members often reimburse taxpayers for their long-term care and services through the estate recovery program. This means that the state takes Read More
How you can choose the best nursing home for your loved one?
Everyone has different needs and expectations when it comes to selecting a nursing home. If the time has come to find such a facility for your loved one, you should keep nursing home best practices in mind. Features high-quality resident care The nursing home you choose for your loved one should carry a 4- or 5-star rating from Medicare. Staff should demonstrate respect for all residents. Quality of care should begin Read More
