If a Family Member Dies with Medical Bills, Can We Retroactively Apply for Medicaid?
If a family member passes away, leaving extensive medical bills, can we apply for Medicaid on behalf of [...]
Social Security Offers Lump-Sum Payments to Some Beneficiaries
If you need a lot of cash on hand upon retirement, Social Security offers a lump-sum payment option that’s worth six months of benefits. However, it comes at a cost. It is important to [...]
Medicare Enrollment Period Extended for Those Who’ve Been Getting a Busy Signal
In recent months, phone lines at the Social Security Administration have been experiencing major technical problems, preventing some people from enrolling in Medicare in a timely manner.
What to Do If You Want to Leave Your Children Unequal Inheritances
Parents usually want to leave their children equal shares of their estate, but equal isn’t always fair. If you plan to provide more (or less) for one child in your estate plan, preparation is [...]
Using an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust to Transfer Assets
An intentionally defective grantor trust allows wealthy families to transfer assets from one generation to the next while achieving significant tax savings. IDGTs are especially useful if you [...]
Which States Have Been Hardest Hit by the Nursing Home Staffing Crisis?
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused nursing home staffing shortages across the United States, even forcing some nursing homes to close, but some states have been hit harder than others. A new [...]
Medicare Advantage Plans Often Wrongly Deny Necessary Care, Study Finds
In an alarming number of cases, private Medicare Advantage plans are denying coverage for medical services that would be covered under original Medicare, according to a federal investigation. [...]
How Community Property Affects Estate and Tax Planning
In most states, spouses can purchase and own property separately from one another. However, in certain states – called community property states – if one spouse purchases property, it is [...]
