Heritage Law Office Blog

Long-term care insurance has become increasingly expensive throughout the years. If you find yourself out of options, consider this creative approach to ensure your financial assets as you age.

Retirement accounts take careful planning. Choosing your beneficiaries is an essential step in the process and must be taken seriously. Learn more about retirement account beneficiaries and some tips to make it go smoother.

Alzheimer’s is a tragic disease that unfortunately affects thousands of people in their old age. Learn the basics of this disease and the necessary steps to take to plan for the future.

Medicare Advantage plans are put in place to ensure the care and safety of our loved ones during their later years. But are they leading to lower quality nursing homes? Read on to learn more.

Securing benefits as a veteran is more difficult than it needs to be. Discover how having a professional advocate may work out in your favor and expose you to formerly inaccessible recovery options.

Planning for the future becomes increasingly essential as you age. Learn more about advanced care directives, what they do, and how you can benefit from drafting one today.

It is essential not to leave anything out of your estate plan. Make sure to include these 6 important things to ensure that your heirs rightfully recover your assets upon your passing.

President Trump signed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act into law on May 24, 2018. The Act contains a section that was once a stand-alone bill from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) which is designed to encourage the reporting of elder (age 65 and older) financial...

Long term care (LTC) is a term that has many facets to its definition. It is comprised of a variety of services that meet medical and non-medical requirements for people who cannot care for themselves for long periods of time. It is a highly individualized care system which can be formally or...

There are demographic and cultural shifts occurring in the United States. The baby boomer generation continues to “gray” the country and is changing the way individual states set budgets and health care policies. More attention will be paid to the needs of the post age 50 generation(s) . Chan...

For some seniors in the baby boomer generation aging brings with it new challenges in the form of solo aging. Solo aging is a senior who has no children and no younger (or healthier) family members to assist them as they age. As in generations before, baby boomers are living longer and health...

Respite care is substitute care when a caregiver needs a break. If possible, these breaks should be scheduled regularly, giving the caregiver time to rest. It can be for a short period like a day or a few hours or for the purpose of giving the caregiver a vacation. Respite care is often overl...

Arizona and Florida are the latest states to request a waiver from the requirement that states provide three months of retroactive Medicaid coverage to eligible Medicaid recipients. Medicaid law allows a Medicaid applicant to be eligible for benefits for up to three months before the month o...

Moving can be one of the toughest decisions to make and go through with, especially when you’re moving away from everything you know. This is something that often becomes a reality for many aging individuals, and in some cases, sooner than expected. A perfect example is when...

No one likes to think about the end of their life, but it can happen before you expect it. Will your spouse, children, and other family members be provided for, or will they be fighting in court for years over what’s left of your estate? The more money, assets, and property you have, the greater your need for an estate plan...

A power of attorney is a highly important aspect to consider when you begin your estate planning process. A durable power of attorney can help you handle your finances and estate when you become unable to do so...

Giving your house to your children can have tax consequences, but there are ways to accomplish it tax-free. The best method to use will depend on your individual circumstances and needs. Leave the house in your will The simplest way to give your house to your children may be to leave it to them...

The main purpose of a will is to direct where your assets will go after you die, but it can also be used to instruct your heirs how to pay your debts. While generally heirs cannot inherit debt, debt can reduce what they receive. Spelling out how debt should be paid can help your heirs. If someon...

After staying the same for five years, the amount you can give away to any one individual in a particular year without reporting the gift will increase in 2018.  The annual gift tax exclusion for 2018 is rising from $14,000 to $15,000. This means that any person who gives away $15,000 or less to...

From time to time, insurance companies have implemented deceptive practices to get individuals seeking long-term medical coverage to enroll. However, these companies are rarely held responsible for their behaviors as many have accepted misleading ads and false promises to be a part of the process. Join us as we explore a case where a policyholder took action against her insurance company for their shady practices...

A new study has found that people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan were more likely to enter a lower quality nursing home than were people in traditional Medicare. The study raises questions about whether Medicare Advantage plans are influencing beneficiaries decision making when it comes t...

When hiring a caregiver, it is important to put the contract in writing. Courts can be especially strict about requiring contracts when caregivers are relatives, but a formal agreement is still necessary even if the caregiver is not a relative.  A recent Michigan court ruling illustrates how fail...

When the time comes to consider the possibility of Medicaid in your estate planning, one of the most important aspects is “spending down assets” to reach the personal income limit of $2,000. There are a number of non-countable assets you can keep, and you can also convert cash into non-countable assets as well...

No one wants to think about his or her death, but a little preparation in the form of a prepaid funeral contract can be useful. In addition to helping your family after your death, a prepaid funeral contract can be a good way to spend down assets in order to qualify for Medicaid. A prepaid or pr...

The government is spending billions to fund assisted living services through Medicaid, but government oversight and regulation of assisted living facilities is lacking, according to a new government report. Medicaid funds long-term care services for low-income individuals. It is primarily used f...