Category Archives: General
Estate Planning for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Third Party Special Needs Trusts A third party special needs trust is an essential part of estate planning for families with a child who has special needs. Loved ones can create this type of trust for a child or family member with special needs, funding it through their will, life insurance, or other estate… Read More »
Home Ownership for Individuals with Disabilities
Using a Special Needs Trust to Purchase a Home If a home is purchased in the name of a Special Needs Trust (SNT), the trust can buy a house for a beneficiary with disabilities without affecting their eligibility for public benefits. The home, owned by the SNT, is not considered a resource of the… Read More »
What Is Elder Law?
As individuals age, legal issues specific to the needs of the elderly become increasingly important. Elder law is a specialized field of law dedicated to addressing these issues, which range from estate planning to long-term care solutions. One of the most critical aspects of elder law is Medicaid planning, which plays a crucial role… Read More »
What Is the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?
Understanding the intricacies of healthcare insurance can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to distinguishing between Medicare and Medicaid. Both are federally funded programs aimed at helping individuals access healthcare services, but there are important distinctions between the two. For instance, Medicare is open to people once they reach a certain age, while eligibility… Read More »
What Are the Different Types of Personal Property and How Do They Affect an Estate Plan?
Estate planning, in part, involves deciding how to distribute the contents of your estate to family members, friends, charities, and other individuals or institutions you choose to remember in your will or trust. Your “estate” is not just “real estate,” such as a house, land, or investment property; it is everything you own. A… Read More »
Does Florida Have an Inheritance Tax?
Whether you are planning out how to distribute your estate after your passing or you stand to receive a large inheritance in Florida, you may be wondering, Does Florida have an inheritance tax? This is an important and relevant question to ask no matter which side of the equation you are on. Read on… Read More »
Signs of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in the United States. As many as five million older Americans experience abuse every year. Abuse comes in many forms, including physical, emotional, and financial. Financial abuse is especially rampant in the country–experts estimate that elderly Americans lose at least $36.5 billion collectively each year to financial… Read More »
Planning for Disabled Children
Planning for the future of your children is always important, and it always requires care and forethought. When your child has a disability, however, it’s even more vital to have a secure plan in place. You need to know that your child will be cared for in all eventualities, especially if you become ill… Read More »
What is spouse refusal for Medicaid planning?
Florida Medicaid is a state and federal partnership that provides health coverage, including long-term care, for selected categories of people with low incomes. Medicaid can literally be a lifesaver for people who cannot afford health insurance or health care coverage without assistance. Unfortunately, Medicaid can be difficult to qualify for due to its extremely… Read More »
Essential Characteristics of a Special Needs Trust
Special needs trusts (SNTs) are trusts designed to allow beneficiaries to receive supplemental benefits without affecting eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other needs-based programs. In order to qualify as SNTs–meaning the disbursements from the trust will not be counted as income and the assets in the trust will not count as… Read More »