If you choose to write your own Last Will there are some things to know.

Aches and Pains Can you tell when a storm is coming because of the pain in your knee?

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.