Landmark Supreme Court Marriage Case May Affect Planning Choices


Image from USNews.com

Gay marriage is currently legal in 36 states, mostly because of the decision in the 2013 case of Windsor v. United States, in which the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Two years later, the issue is back in the Supreme Court. And, by the end of this Supreme Court term, either same-sex couples will be able to wed in all 50 states, or gay marriage bans may be reinstituted in many of the states where they’ve previously been struck down.

The current Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges, deals with two questions: whether all states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and, if they don’t, whether they must recognize those issued by other states.

The plaintiff, Jim Obergefell, and his partner of 20 years, John Arthur, were married after Arthur was terminally ill with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). To wed, Arthur flew via medical transport plane from Ohio to Maryland, where gay marriage is legal, as part of a “Make-a-Wish” style program for the terminally ill.

The couple wanted the Ohio Registrar to identify Obergefell as Arthur’s spouse on his death certificate, based on their Maryland marriage. The local Ohio Registrar agreed that discriminating against the same-sex married couple is unconstitutional, but the state Attorney General’s office announced plans to defend Ohio’s same-sex marriage ban. A federal judge, acting on an expedited basis because of John’s health, ordered the state of Ohio to record Jim as the surviving spouse when the time came.

Three months and 11 days later, John Arthur died, and Obergefell’s name was listed as the surviving spouse on the death certificate. The state appealed, and if it wins in the  Supreme Court, it can reissue the death certificate without Obergefell’s name.

On January 16, 2015, the Supreme Court consolidated Obergefell’s case with three others and agreed to review the case. It set a briefing schedule to be completed April 17. The other cases are from Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The court presented the following questions:

  1. Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex?
  2. Does the Fourteenth Amendment require a state to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-state?

Oral arguments are scheduled for today, April 28. Gay rights groups are hoping to secure not only the right to marry but also a symbolic and practical victory that would affirm their dignity and protect them from other kinds of government discrimination. A decision in the case is expected by the end of June.

What Benefits Do Same-Sex Married Couples Qualify for Now?

At this point in time, with same-sex marriage being legal in 36 states, LGBT married couples qualify for the following benefits:

  • Social Security benefits: Married couples get a big financial boost from certain Social Security benefit programs that have not historically applied to LGBT couples.
  • Spousal survivor benefit: A surviving spouse of a worker entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits may be entitled to receive retirement benefits based on the deceased spouse’s earning record.
  • Spousal retirement benefit: For retired married couples, a person whose calculated Social Security benefit is lower than that of his or her spouse may take half of his or her spouse’s higher benefit, rather than receive the amount calculated from his or her own earnings.
  • Lump-sum death benefit: A surviving spouse gets $255 from the federal government to help pay for funeral arrangements.
  • Estate and gift tax exemption: Federal law exempts a certain amount of money from federal estate taxes and federal gift taxes for all property left to a surviving spouse (currently the exemption is $5,430,000). The surviving spouse does not pay taxes on any amount he or she receives from the deceased spouse that’s under the exemption limit.
  • Estate Tax “Portability:” Married couples can combine their personal estate tax exemptions. This means that the second spouse to die can leave property worth up to $10,860,000 free from federal estate tax. Unmarried couples do not get the “portability,” so that the second partner in a relationship to die can leave only $5,430,000 tax-free.
  • Veteran and Military Benefits: Spouses of deceased veterans are entitled to numerous benefits, including health care, death pensions, educational assistance, home loan guarantees, vocational training, and bereavement counseling. Spouses of living military personnel may be eligible for health care, family separation pay, and relocation assistance, among many other benefits. Same-sex married spouses should also be entitled to these services and benefits.
  • Tax Benefits: Filing joint income tax returns with the IRS: Filing a joint return may offer advantages over separate returns. Many unmarried couples lose thousands of dollars per year because they have to file separate tax returns with the IRS.
  • Federal Employee Benefits: Last summer, the Office of Personnel Management announced that federal employees in LGBT marriages could apply for health, dental, long-term care, life and retirement benefits.
  • Medicare: The Department of Health and Human Services said that legally married LGBT seniors on Medicare would be eligible for equal benefits and joint placement in nursing homes.
  • Immigration: The Department of Homeland Security will treat LGBT spouses equally for the purposes of obtaining a green card if the spouse is a foreign national. And the IRS has begun treating same-sex marriages equally for tax-filing purposes.

Regardless of the outcome of the case, planning is of utmost importance

If a member of the LGBT community fails to properly plan, the result can be devastating to his or her partner and family. Having no estate plan is tantamount to giving up control of one’s estate and management of one’s well-being in times of incapacity.

The need for an estate plan is critical in case of an accident or illness that renders the partner incapable of making decisions or managing his or her affairs. Without a proper estate plan, the other partner could be legally precluded from having any role in the decision-making of his or her partner’s care, managing his or her affairs, or even having access to the incapacitated partner.

Proper estate planning ensures that correct strategies are used to avoid penalties, extra taxation when possible, and the court and attorney costs of probate. A Revocable Living Trust can establish the client’s domestic partner as the trustee if the client becomes incapacitated through illness or accident. The Revocable Living Trust guarantees privacy, through avoidance of probate and its process of opening court records. The Advance Medical Directive can also avoid the potential problems of the client not maintaining control over his or her health care decisions and the domestic partner not having access to his or her partner during a period of incapacitation.

While laws are changing to promote greater equality for LGBT seniors, whether you are gay or straight, if you haven’t done so, now is the time to get started with planning for your future and for your loved ones! We here at the Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C. have strategies in place to help LGBT couples, whether married or not. With advance planning, each person, regardless of sexual orientation, can retain the benefit of the money, income and assets it has taken a lifetime to accumulate. If you or your loved ones have not done Long-Term Care Planning, Estate Planning, or Incapacity Planning (or had your Planning documents reviewed in the past several years), please call us as soon as possible to make an appointment for a no-cost consultation:

Fairfax Elder Law: 703-691-1888
Fredericksburg Elder Law: 540-479-1435
Rockville Elder Law: 301-519-8041
DC Elder Law: 202-587-2797

Critter Corner: What Happens When Seniors Can No Longer Care for Their Pets?

IMG_0498

Dear Angel,

My miniature poodle, Moose, and my cat, Scooter, have been my constant companions since my husband died six years ago. They are the only warm blooded creatures that really depend on me. My dog and I usually take a two hour walk every day and I spend hours at night brushing and petting my cat. The last two weeks I have been sick, and it’s been a problem. Do you know of any resources for seniors who have pets and need assistance caring for them?

Thanks,
Karin Formai- Petz
—-

Dear Karin,

As you know, pets bring purpose to seniors’ lives, especially at a time when fewer people depend on them. Not only can they distract you from your own health issues but, in the case of dogs, they can keep you healthier by encouraging exercise. They also provide the companionship that is vital to people of any age.

Often a pet is the only “family” someone has nearby, if at all. Below are some solutions to help you care for your beloved pets when you are not able to:

1. Reach out to friends, family and neighbors: Could a friend or family member help give the dog a bath occasionally or help change kitty litter? Perhaps a neighborhood kid could take the pooch to the park or out for a walk?
2. Find a groomer/dog walker who makes house calls: There are professional mobile groomers that will groom your pet in a van parked outside your house.  There are also professional dog walkers to help out when you can’t walk the dog, and pet sitters to watch your pet if you have a medical emergency? Let’s Join Paws is a website that matches owners and pet caregivers that can help.
3. If you plan to move to assisted living or a nursing home, find a place that is pet friendly: It will help with the adjustment and you won’t need to separate from your beloved pets.
4. Check if the Meals on Wheels of America program in your area delivers free cat and dog food, and sometimes more, to those who qualify or to veterans.
5. If you have a friend who is in a similar situation and looking for a pet, programs like the Washington Animal Rescue League in D.C. called “Boomer’s Buddies” pair adopters ages 50+ with animals five years and older. It also waives the adoption fee. For a comprehensive list of veterinary assistance and other services, visit the Humane Society of the United States website for a state-by-state breakdown. Hope this is helpful, and thanks for being such a loving mother to your pets!

Purrs and Kisses,
Angel

Alzheimer’s Diagnosis is Rarely Disclosed to Patients

Q. My mother, Lorraine , is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. We think it began ten years ago when she started showing signs, but no one knows for sure. She went to a doctor for physicals every year, and seemed to be in good health, except she had what we thought were “senior moments.” When her forgetfulness began occurring more and more often, we started assuming she had some sort of dementia, and it turns out we were right. We just wish the doctor would have told us, so maybe she could have planned better and participated in trials for medications. Is it common that doctors don’t tell their patients of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis? Why would they do that? Also, with my mother already being in a nursing home, her assets are being wiped out quickly. Is it too late to plan for Medicaid Asset Protection? 

Critter Corner: Local High School Student Invents App to Identify Signs of Parkinson’s

Alternative Ways to Stave Off Parkinson’s

Fred Ransdell, who has had Parkinson’s since 1996, … [Read More…]

$10,000 a month! Why don’t they take it seriously?

Alternative Ways to Stave Off Parkinson’s

Fred Ransdell, who has had Parkinson’s since 1996, … [Read More…]

Alternative Ways to Stave Off Parkinson’s

Fred Ransdell, who has had Parkinson’s since 1996, is an avid runner. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)

Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative movement disorder of the central nervous system, was discovered nearly 200 years ago. Since then, no single test exists that can definitively diagnose the disease, and doctors rely on the appearance of certain symptoms for diagnosis. The condition doesn’t discriminate based on gender, geography, race or even age (4% of those with Parkinson’s are under 50), and can take anywhere from a few short years to as long as 20 to progress.

Nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, and approximately 7 to 10 million people worldwide have the disease. Each year, 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and this number does not reflect the thousands of cases that go undetected. To increase awareness, show support, and raise funds for a cure, millions of people around the world are recognizing April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there ARE effective ways to manage and stave off the disease, many of which involve alternative treatments and keeping a positive attitude. The list below will show you what I mean:

Venoms (Be sure to talk to a doctor about these treatments. Don’t risk a bite, because it may kill your pain (and you) at the same time.)

-Bees: Some Parkinson’s symptoms include muscle spasms that can cause pain and trouble moving. Bee venom may help relax these muscles, as it acts like botulinum toxin (the toxin in Botox) which causes a temporary paralysis of the muscles. Watch this Michael J. Fox Foundation video for more details.

-Spiders: Researchers who analyzed 206 different spider species found that 40 percent of the venoms had compounds that blocked nerve activity linked to chronic pain. A recent Yale study shows that certain species of tarantulas, in particular, can harbor healing powers and kill pain.

-Centipedes: The creepy crawlers that hang out in your basement provide certain therapeutic properties. The venom taken from certain centipedes block a sodium channel protein that can trigger pain relief similar to morphine.

-Snakes: Certain snake venoms have hemotoxins with antibacterial and painkiller properties. They target the circulatory system, and typically attack the body’s clotting ability and muscles, and have been used to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as stroke and brain injuries.

Poetry and the arts (for those of you who aren’t ready for snake venom treatments)

Wayne Gilbert, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2005,  launched “Unlocked,” a program that is funded by the Institute for Poetic Medicine in Palo Alto, California. He teaches prison inmates how to read and write poetry, and also uses it as therapy for his own Parkinson’s.

According to Gilbert:

“Art, in general, but poetry, in particular, has a way of accessing inner resources that a person may not otherwise be aware of. And those inner resources are the kinds of characteristics, qualities, strengths that can help a person be more resilient. . . .  I don’t want to get too metaphorical because prison is a nasty place to be. And yet, everyone is kind of in a prison. Parkinson’s is a kind of prison, if you will. And to write your way out without leaving is a thing I think poetry can do”.

He also states that “When I’m dancing, when I’m making a poem, when I’m acting in a play, I can forget that I have Parkinson’s for a little while.”

Positive Attitude (This is for everyone!)

Keep a positive attitude!  It REALLY does help.

We can’t . . . unless we think we can: We know that we cannot win a race unless we think we possibly can. The same goes for any illness. If we think we are going to die, then the chances are that we will die. Therefore, using the same logic, if we think we can get better then the chances are that we will get better.  Positive thoughts create positive energy, and positive energy has healing power

It helps our caregivers: Being positive and up-beat about our future can be very helpful to our caregivers. They find it much easier to relate to us if we offer a smile and a cheerful response, instead of a grumpy reply to their question, “how are you feeling?”

According to Fred Ransdell, an author and optimist who has had Parkinson’s since 1996, “Once I got Parkinson’s, I had the opportunity to do this stuff and I went hog wild with it,” he says. “I didn’t know how much time I’d have to be healthy enough to do those things. So I started doing them and I’m grateful I did.”  Fred is an avid runner and has pursued his interest in paleontology since he was diagnosed.  He only has to visit the doctor once a year, and his medication and acupuncture help him live a relatively normal lifestyle.

Other Alternative Therapies, including Reiki

Alternative therapies and treatments, including acupuncture, nutritional supplements, massage, chiropractic therapies, certain herbal therapies, and Reiki, have the potential to alleviate chronic pain in many people.

As a Reiki Master and as the founder of ROSE (Reiki Outreach Services for Elders), I have seen for myself the wonderful healing power of Reiki.  Reiki is one of many types of energy-based healing practices.  It is based on the fact that a universal energy or life force flows through us and around us.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which means “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.” This universal life force has been known to civilization since the dawn of time. In Chinese culture, it is called qi (pronounced chi); in the Hindu religion, it’s called prana; in ancient Greece, it’s called pneuma; in Hawaiian culture, it’s called mana; in Tibetan Buddhism, it’s called lüng; in Hebrew culture, it’s called ruah.

Reiki (along with many other types of energy-based healing) is a simple, natural and safe method of healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

When used with the elderly, Reiki can have a two-fold outcome in its use. Many, if not all, Parkinson’s patients sufferer from many chronic ailments at once rather than just one, including respiratory ailments such as emphysema, pneumonia, or asthma, Alzheimer’s, heart failure, kidney disease, immobility, or cancer. Receiving Reiki not only provides a level of energy and relaxation to the elderly, but can also address the emotional nourishment the elderly need – all through the simple act of touch.

Alternative therapies bring the body and mind to a better place. It may not take your back pain away tomorrow, but it can give you excellent coping strategies and increased awareness of what modifies the pain. Remember, as you are finding ways to help with your body, the greatest way to gain peace of mind comes with planning for your future and for your loved ones. If you or a loved one is nearing the need for long-term care or already receiving long-term care or if you have not done Long-Term Care Planning, Estate Planning or Incapacity Planning (or had your Planning documents reviewed in the past several years), please call at one of the numbers below to make an appointment for an initial no-cost consultation, or sign up for one of our upcoming seminars:

Fairfax Elder Law: 703-691-1888

Fredericksburg Elder Law: 540-479-1435

Rockville Elder Law: 301-519-8041

DC Elder Law: 202-587-2797

Critter Corner: Do I need to file taxes for a deceased relative?

Critter Corner: Do I need to file taxes for a deceased relative?

Dear Commander Bun Bun,My mother passed away … [Read More…]

Ask the Expert: I’m an Executor. . . Now What?

Q. My mother recently asked me to be the executor for her estate when she passes away. My sister and brother were hurt at first about it, feeling that she didn’t trust them or she thinks I am more capable. Then, upon reading about what’s involved, my sister explained that she believes that it may be a blessing in disguise that she was not the one who was selected. She told me that there is a lot to being an executor, and with everything that is going on in her life, she doesn’t think she could handle it anyway. My brother agreed. Their reactions make me nervous. Can you explain some of the responsibilities, so I understand what I am in for before I agree to it. Thanks for your help!

A. Contrary to what many people think, it is NOT an honor to be selected as an Executor of a Will (sometimes called a “personal representative”). Although It signifies that your mother trusts you to carry out her final wishes and to see to her legacy, it brings with it and extraordinary amount of unnecessary work, including the preparing and filing of horrifically complex court documents. If more people doing estate planning understood that a Will puts your estate through the “nightmare of probate,” more people would realize that naming someone as an executor is equivalent to torturing that person — not something that you wish on a loved one.

Role of an Executor

Many people think that the role of an executor involves using a loved one’s estate planning documents as a set of instructions for giving away their wealth. That is true. However, there is much more to it. An executor essentially steps in for the testator (the person who wrote the will) and sees to all the final arrangements, financial and otherwise. Given all that is involved, it is important to consider the responsibility of the position before signing on. Below is a brief description of some of the key responsibilities:

  • Probate:  It is the Executor’s first responsibility to probate the Will, thus beginning the journey into the nightmare of probate, which involves filing of numerous documents with the court system, and the payment of probate taxes, executor’s commissions, and other costs and fees that will typically consume 5% to 8% of an estate. Often, funds cannot be disbursed without the approval of a probate judge or Commissioner.

Please note that if your mother has a Revocable Living Trust, it will protect her assets from having to go through probate, which is an expensive, public, and time-consuming nightmare.  Please see our web page about the Wills and Probate for more details.
Executor Duties

  • Managing/Disbursing Assets: The executor locates, manages and disburses the assets of the estate. He or she determines the value of all estate assets such as real estate.  In many cases, such property will need to be liquidated in order to pay the estate’s debts.
  • Burial Expenses: One of the responsibilities of an executor is to use the estate’s funds to pay for funeral and burial expenses. The funeral home will also provide the executor with copies of the death certificate, which will be needed for several purposes, including closing financial accounts, canceling any federal benefit payments, and filing the final income tax return.
  • Debts: The debts of the deceased person become the debts of the estate, and the executor must pay them before making distributions be to beneficiaries.
  • Taxes: The executor will also pay all required taxes from a bank account set up in the name of the estate.
  • Care for estate’s assets: The executor must care for the estate’s assets until they can be distributed, by ensuring that property is properly cared for and that funds are invested prudently.
  • Liability: If an executor mismanages estate funds and this results in a loss for the beneficiaries, the executor can be found personally liable.

Planning in Advance

Some estate administration details can be taken care of before a testator dies to make the process less cumbersome for the executor. For instance, an executor should make sure the testator is keeping a list of assets and debts, including bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance policies, real estate and so on. He or she should also be sure to know the names and contact details of attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors used by the testator, where the original will and the asset list is located and how to access them, and the testator’s wishes for burial or cremation (typically spelled out in the estate planning documents). Please see our “Information for Executors and Trustees” page for more details and a checklist.

Farr Law Firm Trust and Estate Administration

Depending on the type of the property owned, how it is titled, the provisions of the decedent’s will or living trust, and the applicable law, the executor often has complicated responsibilities that are often best carried out with the guidance and assistance of a knowledgeable legal advisor. The Farr Law Firm’s estate administration division handles all aspects of estate administration, employing a team of professionals with wide-ranging expertise. Our estate administration services include:

  1. Preparation of Federal estate tax returns, Form 706, and applicable State inheritance/estate tax returns;
  2. Preparation of judicial and non-judicial fiduciary accountings for trusts and estates;
  3. Preparation of fiduciary income tax returns for trusts and estates, including income tax planning to minimize income taxes;
  4. Preparation of Federal and State gift tax returns;
  5. Post-mortem planning, including use of disclaimers, small business succession, and redemption of shares of closely-held businesses;
  6. Working with executors, trustees, beneficiaries, and accountants to minimize estate tax and income tax;
  7. Assisting executors in navigating through the estate administration process.
  8. Assisting beneficiaries in resolving family disputes regarding inherited or inheritable assets.
  9. Assistance with valuation of closely-held business interests to minimize estate tax.

Estate Planning

Being an executor of even a simple estate can be a complicated job.  Consulting a Certified Elder Law Attorney, such as myself, will make your job simpler and ensure that the job is done right. Has being asked to assume the role of executor made you think about your own planning? To begin your Estate Planning or to update your existing documents, please call us at 703-691-1888 in Fairfax, 540-479-1435 in Fredericksburg, 301-519-8041 in Rockville, MD, or 202-587-2797 in Washington, DC to make an appointment for an initial no-cost consultation, or sign up for one of our upcoming seminars.

Informal Home Care Could Result in Medicaid Ineligibility

Betty Jensen was an elderly woman with dementia, who resided in her home in Muskegon, Michigan. In May 2011, when she needed assistance, her concerned grandson, Jason, acted on her behalf and hired a non-relative, Teresa Alexander, to serve as her Caregiver.

Hiring a Caregiver

When hiring the Caregiver, Jason entered into an informal agreement with her and no written contract was signed. Between May 2011 and March 21, 2012, Jason paid the Caregiver biweekly for her time, using nearly $19,000 of Betty’s assets.

By March 21, 2012, Betty’s dementia had worsened and she entered a nursing home.

Applying for Medicaid

On April 30, 2012, Jason applied for Medicaid benefits on Betty’s behalf.  While Betty was eligible, the Department of Human Services (DHS) penalized her for “divesting” funds.  Specifically, the DHS found that the payments to the Caregiver (along with some other gifts made by Betty) were “divestments.” As a result of these divestments, the DHS delayed Jensen’s Medicaid benefits for 7 months and 2 days. Unfortunately, Betty passed away on August 28, 2012, before Medicaid began covering her nursing home expenses.

Medicaid Appeals

Jason appealed the DHS ruling to an administrative law judge (ALJ) and lost, because the ALJ agreed with DHS that the payments made to the caregiver were not proper because they were not made pursuant to a written agreement that was put into place prior to the care beginning.  Jason then appealed he case to the Circuit Court, again arguing that the payments that were made to the Caregiver for Betty’s care should not be treated as divestments, since they were for a home caregiver needed for his mother’s care. The Circuit Court reversed the ruling in relation to the payments to the Caregiver.  However, DHS appealed this ruling the the higher Court of Appeals, and the Court of Appeals reversed the Circuit Court and upheld the ALJ decision upholding the original DHS opinion.

Caregiver Agreements in Virginia and other States

Medicaid rules change frequently, and the rules also vary from state to state. Please note, however, that the law in Virginia and in many other states is essentially the same as the law in Michigan that is cited by the Court of Appeals, as follows:

Relatives who provide assistance or services are presumed to do so for love and affection, and compensation for past assistance or services shall create a rebuttable presumption of a transfer for less than fair market value . . . Such contracts/agreements shall be considered a transfer for less than fair market value unless the compensation is in accordance with all of the following:

– The services must be performed AFTER a written legal contract/agreement has been executed between the client and provider.
It seems clear that Jason was trying to do the right thing by hiring a caregiver for his mother, but Jason had no awareness of the critical Medicaid laws involved for situations such as these, and Jason made the common mistake of failing to consult with an experienced Elder Law Attorney prior to paying the Caregiver.

We learn from this case that if personal services are going to be rendered by a family member or someone unrelated, there needs to be a written agreement in advance of the services, and the services must be needed. It would have been much easier in Jason’s situation if he consulted with a Certified Elder Law Attorney that specialized in Medicaid Asset Protection, in advance.

Medicaid Complexity in Virginia and other States

The Medicaid program is our country’s largest health and long-term care benefits program, covering one in six Americans, including 70% of nursing home residents and 20% of persons under age 65 with chronic disabilities. Medicaid laws are the most complex and confusing laws in existence, and impossible to understand without highly experienced legal assistance. Without proper planning and legal advice from an experienced Elder Law attorney, many people spend much more than they should on long-term care, and unnecessarily jeopardize their future care and well-being, as well as the security of their family. Please read the Medicaid Complexity page on our Website for more details.

Medicaid Planning in Virginia and other States.

Medicaid planning can be started while you are still able to make legal and financial decisions, or can be initiated by an adult child acting as agent under a properly-drafted Power of Attorney, even if you are already in a nursing home or receiving other long-term care.  In fact, the majority of our Life Care Planning and Medicaid Asset Protection clients come to us when nursing home care is already in place or is imminent.

Nursing homes in Metro DC area cost $10,000- $12,000 a month. To protect your family’s hard-earned assets from these catastrophic costs, the best time to create your own long-term care strategy is NOW.  Generally, the earlier someone plans for long-term care needs, the better.  But it is never too late to begin the process of  Long-term Care Planning, also called Lifecare Planning and Medicaid Asset Protection Planning.

If you have a family member nearing the need for long-term care or already getting long-term care or if you have not done Long-Term Care Planning, Estate Planning, or Incapacity Planning (or had your Planning documents reviewed in the past several years), please call us as soon as possible to make an appointment for a no-cost consultation:

Fairfax Elder Law: 703-691-1888
Fredericksburg Elder Law: 540-479-1435
Rockville Elder Law: 301-519-8041
DC Elder Law: 202-587-2797

Critter Corner: Apps for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Critter Corner: Apps for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Dear Saki and Alley,

My daughter with ASD often … [Read More…]

Next Page »