House Scams Every so often a client will ask whether a letter they received is a scam, or not. There are a few we have seen many times, but they look so real if it is your first experience. It’s scary!

Medicaid and Special Wills Not every estate plan is the same. It is important to consult with an elder law attorney to determine what best fits your wishes, and circumstances. But there is one document that anyone with a spouse on Medicaid (Title 19) must have. A Last Will!

Gifting and the Lookback. Medicaid is a program that can pay for care, whether at home or in a facility. When in need of Medicaid funds to pay for such care, you must submit an application. This allows the Department of Social Services to review whether you have a need for care (the physical assessment) and whether you can afford that care yourself (the financial review).

The riddle of the Sphinx. What walks on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three at night? The answer is a human, who changes from a crawling baby to an upright adult to an elder with a cane, in the twilight of their days. It is amazing how accurate this answer is.

After decades of living in one home, many people find themselves surrounded not only by memories, but the physical manifestations they come with. The unintended consequences of saving everything from children’s drawings to old coats is a home filled to the gills. Open the spare bedroom and tell me if it has actually become a walk in closet? Go down to the basement and check if it is more of a storage shed now? It is time to declutter.

When You Lose a Partner Losing a spouse is one of life’s most painful experiences. When that spouse was also the one who managed the family’s finances, the grief can be compounded by confusion, fear, and uncertainty.