Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Who is an Elder Lawyer?

As with any area of the law, Elder Law can be just as difficult for someone to fully wrap their minds around, even if they have a vague idea or preliminary understanding of what area a specific lawyer may specialize in. So, who is an elder lawyer? An elder lawyer is someone who has dedicated his or her professional life to helping older adults and their families through the trials and tribulations that can crop up as a person gets older.

Specifically, an elder law attorney can help in a number of areas and with numerous issues, including the following:

  • Guardianship, Proxies, Power of Attorney (both Financial and Clinical)
  • Healthcare Surrogates and Proxies
  • Planning for things like Long-term Care, enrollment in Medicare and other programs, Medicaid applications, and Miller trusts (also called Qualified Income Trusts)
  • Durable Power of Attorney and other such legal matters
  • Healthcare Surrogates and Decision Makers
  • Special accounts and trusts for people with disabilities
  • Revocable and Irrevocable trusts
  • Issues stemming from elderly abuse, neglect and exploitation

For a full list of issues we cover and services we provide, you can check out the Scott Counsel homepage.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Who is an Elder Lawyer? appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/who-is-an-elder-lawyer/

Irrevocable Trusts

When planning to care for an elderly loved one, there are a lot of terms that get thrown around, and many that you may be unfamiliar with. One such term is “irrevocable trust.” Chances are that you at least have a basic of idea of what a trust in general is—something you set up in order to provide for those you love when you no longer are able to, or to keep your assets safe, right? An irrevocable trust is just as easy to understand.

An irrevocable trust is simply a trust that can’t be either changed or terminated without consent from the beneficiary. This is because when the person who grants the trust (the one who created it) moves assets into the trust, his or her rights of ownership to any assets in the trust and to the trust itself are then transferred to the beneficiary. Also, once an asset is placed in the trust, it is considered a gift to the trust and the grantor cannot get it back. They are, however, able to lay out the terms, rules and the uses of the assets in the trust, but only as long as they obtain the consent of both the trustee and beneficiary.

There are many different kinds of uses for an irrevocable trust when it comes to planning to preserve and distribute a person’s estate, and some of them include:

  • Taking advantage of an estate tax exemption, as well as getting rid of any taxable assets the estate might have.
  • Preventing the beneficiaries from misusing any assets placed in the trust, since the grantor is able to set conditions for the distribution of those assets.
  • To gift the assets in the trust to the estate while also keeping any income from the assets.
  • To get rid of any appreciable assets the estate may have while also allowing beneficiaries a way to value the assets for taxes.
  • To give children the principal residence under tax rules that allow for more favorable conditions.
  • To keep a life insurance policy that would get rid of any death proceeds from the estate.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Irrevocable Trusts appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/irrevocable-trusts/

Monday, October 29, 2018

Avoiding Probate: A How-To Guide

We talk about probate a lot, and just like everything else, it can be a little too much to deal with. So, what if you don’t want to deal with any of that? Is there a way for you to avoid it altogether?

In fact, there is!

Let’s start with Revocable Living Trusts:

  • Revocable Living Trust

Living trusts were created to give people a way around the probate process. One particular advantage to having any valuable property in a trust is the fact that it is not considered to be part of the probate estate. Keep in mind, though, that this is counted as part of the estate for federal tax purposes.) This is because someone called the trustee, and not you as an individual, owns any property left in the trust. After you pass away, the trustee can both easily and quickly pass the property in the trust to whomever you left it to—and avoid the probate process. You can also specify in the trust document who you want to inherit the property, like family or friends (just as you can in a will).

  • Pay-On-Death Accounts and Registrations

One interesting thing you are able to do with any bank accounts or retirement accounts you have is that you can convert them into Pay-On-Death accounts. All you need to do is fill out an easy form and then list somebody to be the beneficiary. At the time of death, any money in these accounts will go directly to the listed beneficiary (and avoid the probate process). You can also do the same thing with security registrations, and even vehicle registrations (though only in some states). Some states also allow for P.O.D. real estate deeds that use a deed that doesn’t come into effect until your death.

So, here are just a couple of ways to avoid the probate process, but let’s look at a few more:

You can avoid probate simply by jointly owning property or by giving gifts. Let’s go into a bit more detail on each of those things below.

  • Joint Ownership of Property

This method gives you a quick and easy way to completely bypass the entire probate process whenever the first owner passes away. There are, in fact, several ways that this can be accomplished. To take title along with someone else and avoid probate, all you have to do is state on the ownership papers (like a real estate deed, for instance), how you want to hold the title. Normally, no other documents are needed, and when one of the owners passes away, the property then transfers over to the joint owner, without ever having to worry about probate. Let’s see some other ways to avoid probate below:

  1. Joint tenancy with the right of survivorship

Any property owned in joint tenancy will pass automatically to the surviving owner when one of them dies.

  1. Tenancy by the entirety

In some states, married couples may often take a title not in joint tenancy, but in what is known as “tenancy by the entirety.” It is similar to joint tenancy, but only married couples may use it. Even same-sex partners may do it in some states, so long as they have registered with the state. Both ways avoid probate in exactly the same way.

  1. Community Property with right of survivorship

People in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Texas or Wisconsin may be able to claim community property with right of survivorship if they are married and co-own property with their spouse. In this way, if one spouses passes, the other automatically owns any assets upon death. In California, those with a same-sex partner may also doo this as long as a domestic partnership has been registered with the state.

To finish our simple guide on how to avoid probate, let’s check out a couple of different ways to avoid probate if you have a small estate.

The truth of the matter is that if your estate is small enough, you may not even have to worry about probate at all. Almost every state now offers something in the way of shortcuts, or even ways around probate altogether in some cases, for small estates. Although, be aware that each state defines that term differently, so check out the rules and regulations for your state.

Two basic shortcuts for small estates are:

  • Claiming Property with Affidavits

If the total amount of value for everything is below a certain number, anyone who gets your personal property (that is, anything except for real estate) could potentially skip probate altogether. The exact amount can and does vary from state to state, though, and it can vary by quite a good amount.

If an estate qualifies, any inheritor may draw up a short document that states he or she is entitled by will or state law to a certain item of property. This document (the affidavit) is signed under oath. Then, whenever the institution or person holding the property (such as a bank where the deceased had an account) gets the required documents (the affidavit and a signed copy of the death certificate), it can then give out any monies or other property.

  • Simplified Court Procedures

These are defined according to individual state laws and are a quicker, easier version of the probate process. Probate Court will still be involved, but it has much less control over settling an estate. In many states, these processes are even simple enough to handle without needing a lawyer. Because of this, they often save a lot of money and time.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Avoiding Probate: A How-To Guide appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/avoiding-probate-a-how-to-guide/

Friday, October 26, 2018

Looking For Hazards Within the Home

If an elderly person you love lives by him or herself, it is incredibly important to make sure the home is as safe as possible for them. Let’s look at some ways that you can help ensure their safety in their home right now:

General Home Safety

  • Consider making use of a medical alert or buddy system.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher and smoke detector on every floor in the home.
  • Never smoke when alone or in bed.
  • Always get up slowly after lying down or sitting. Take time to find your balance at first.
  • Wear well-fitting, low-heeled shoes.
  • Make use of a correctly measured walking aid.
  • Get rid of any and all scatter rugs or, at the very least, tack them down to prevent falls.
  • Get rid of any electrical or telephone cords from any high-traffic areas.
  • Do not use wax on floors to keep from slipping and/or falling.
  • Wipe up any spills ASAP.
  • Avoid standing on either ladders or chairs.
  • Have proper and sturdy rails installed, both inside and outside the house, or purchase a stairlift, if needed.
  • Use non-glare 100-watt or greater incandescent bulbs only (or the fluorescent equivalent).
  • Make sure any and all staircases have good lighting, with switches at both the top and bottom.
  • Ensure that staircase steps have non-slip surfaces.

Bathroom Safety

  • Keep a light on in the bathroom at night.
  • Use any recommended bath aides, and make sure they’re installed securely on bath or shower stall walls and on the sides of the toilet too.
  • Make the tub skid-proof, and make sure the bath mat also has a non-slip bottom.
  • Turn the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent scalding.
  • Clearly mark both hot and cold faucets.
  • Use door locks that can be operated from both sides.
  • Bathe only when help is available to you, if possible.

Kitchen Safety

  • Keep floors clean and free of clutter.
  • See that any and all work areas are well-illuminated.
  • Mark both “on” and “off” positions for appliances clearly and brightly.
  • Store sharp knives in a rack.
  • Use a kettle with an automatic shut-off.
  • Store heavier objects at waist level
  • Store any hazardous items away from food.
  • Avoid wearing any long or loose-fitting clothing when cooking at the stove.
  • See that food is rotated regularly and check expiration dates.

Drug Safety

  • Review all medications frequently with your doctor or pharmacist and whenever you take any new medications.
  • Make sure all medication is clearly labeled.
  • Read medicine labels in good light to make sure you have the right medication and always take the right dosage.
  • Get rid of any old or used medicines.
  • Never borrow any prescription drugs from others.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing drugs and alcohol.
  • Have any medications dispensed in bubble wrap or convenient dispenser.
  • Finally, check with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing any non-prescription drugs with prescription drugs.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Looking For Hazards Within the Home appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/looking-for-hazards-within-the-home/

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Winding Up Legal Affairs After Death

Dying is a part of life that can be tough on everyone involved—both individually and as a family unit. And while that might seem like the toughest part of losing a loved one, sometimes what comes after can be just as tiring and overwhelming, if not more so. So, if it’s up to you to take care of your loved one’s affairs, the tips in this article are for you. Let’s get started.

While you may be thinking you should get started right away, the first thing you need to know is that it doesn’t have to start the second the person passes away. Losing someone you were close to is an incredibly painful time, and it’s important to take that time to grieve when you need to. Though, you should also make it a point to see a trusts and estates attorney no more than a month following death. In a best-case scenario, this person will also be the same one who created the will and set up an irrevocable living trust.

When the process does get rolling, you’re going to want to get a copy of the decedent’s estate plan documents—like the will and trust (if there is one).  Many times, the attorney will have a copy or will have one in a safety deposit box. Next, make sure to make that appointment with the trusts and estates attorney in the same state where the deceased lived. Things like the will and any other estate plan documents will have been made according to that state’s particular laws, and you’ll need an attorney licensed in that state to help you get through the process.

The next step is to pay the attorney from the estate of the deceased. Many trusts and estates attorneys will charge by the hour for this work, and anywhere in the range of $200 to $500 an hour is normal for you to expect. If the estate has to pass through probate, many states will give the attorney payment on a sliding scale based on any assets in the estate, and only then, by obtaining court approval.

In your first meeting with the lawyer, he or she will explain to you what’s expected of you if you are the trustee of the trust or executor of the estate. The first thing you’ll likely do is obtain copies of the death certificate and a statement of any assets and liabilities. This will include a listing of all bank accounts, assets, life insurance policies, annuities, and investments, and any outstanding debts. You’ll also want to start receiving monthly statements on any accounts, so you can estimate their value on the day of death.

If the person happened to forget to put an asset in the trust, the attorney could potentially have to go to court to have it put in. If there are any assets for heirs, it’s simple. However, if the estate plan calls for sub-trusts (to hold for future generations or control distribution to beneficiaries), then they’ll need to be drafted and funded, which means a change of titles on assets. These trusts will then need to be given and invested appropriately by you, since you are the trustee.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

 

The post Winding Up Legal Affairs After Death appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/winding-up-legal-affairs-after-death/

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

When to Take a Break from Caregiving

Caring for another person can be one of the most rewarding experiences we can have, and while we certainly can enjoy and take pride in the work that we do, it is so important that we don’t get burned out in the process. After all, if we are rundown or sick ourselves, we can’t provide the best care possible to those who may be counting on us.

If you find yourself feeling, rundown, anxious, tired, stressed, or burnt out, be sure to enlist help where you can. Ask another trusted friend or family member to take over for you, or perhaps even hire a professional caregiver to look after your loved one while you recuperate. That way, you won’t have to worry that your loved one isn’t getting proper care while you’re away, and you can just focus on feeling better.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

 

The post When to Take a Break from Caregiving appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/when-to-take-a-break-from-caregiving/

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

When Should You See an Elder Law Attorney?

You might be reading this and wondering when would be the right time to speak with an elder law attorney, or perhaps if you even need to speak with someone to begin with. The truth is that if you are put in a position to be in charge of a loved one’s property or other things, it may be a good idea to consider speaking with an elder law attorney before either you, your spouse, or parents make any large transfers of property. Some times that you might consider getting advice from an elder law professional include:

  • Before giving away a house, a part interest in a house, or a remainder interest in a house.
  • Before selling a home, regardless of if you intend to take cash, sell on contract, or buy another home.
  • Before giving away any significant gifts like stock or money to a child, relative, or charity, or
  • Before purchasing an annuity.

You’ll also want to seek counsel before either you, your spouse, or parents need any time of long-term care. A good time to do this would be:

  • When you start to feel that either you, your spouse, or parents might require long-term care in the foreseeable future.
  • Prior to you, your spouse, or parents getting too overwhelmed by all of the responsibilities and work that home care requires.
  • When you begin to notice that you, your spouse, or parents might be becoming unable to properly manage business or any other financial issues, in order to begin the process of establishing powers of attorney and other documents so that others can take care of the business later (and also make transfers in order to help someone qualify for Medicaid while also saving money for the home spouse).

Another good time to look into elder law advice would be if someone tells you that you, your spouse, or parents should try something new. Use caution when someone tells you:

  • That you, your spouse, or parents should really do something to better prepare for Medicaid.
  • That you, your spouse, or parents should so something that will preserve assets from Medicaid spend down.
  • That you, your spouse, or parents need to do or should do something in order that your assets can be passed to your spouse or children, instead of being used for things like paying bills or other such necessities.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post When Should You See an Elder Law Attorney? appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/when-should-you-see-an-elder-law-attorney/

Monday, October 22, 2018

Protecting a Resident’s Funds

Getting older is a challenge in and of itself, let alone having to think about possibilities like nursing homes or long-term care centers. Add everything together and it can be overwhelming what you have to remember and make note of. It’s possible you could be wondering just exactly what rights you have in a nursing home that’s been certified by Medicaid or Medicare, and remember that you do have rights and protections under both federal and state laws. These laws work together to ensure you get the care and services you need, and there are numerous rights and protections. However, our focus now is on to protect a resident’s funds.

First off, if you decide to deposit money with the nursing home or you ask them to hold or account for your money for you, you have to sign a written statement saying you want them to do this. Next, the nursing home must allow you access to bank accounts, cash, and any other of your financial records. They also must have a system in place that ensures full accounting for any of your funds, and they are not allowed to combine your funds with those of the nursing home. Third, they have to protect your funds from any kind of loss by providing an acceptable protection, like buying a surety bond. Finally, if a resident who has a fund dies, the nursing home is required, by law, to return his or her funds along with a final accounting to the person or court who is handling the resident’s estate within 30 days.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Protecting a Resident’s Funds appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/protecting-a-residents-funds/

Friday, October 19, 2018

Social Security, Pensions, and Veterans’ Affairs

We’ve talked a lot about probate in previous articles, but you may still be foggy on how the probate process deals with things like social security, pensions, or even Veteran Affairs. We want to get you the answers you need, so let’s get started!

Like a great many other government-run programs, Social Security can be more than a little confusing, but it can also greatly benefit us as well. So, what does it do? One of the things it does is give surviving family members what are known as survivor’s benefits, along with any other benefits to any eligible person(s). Such benefits might include things like monthly payments or, if you prefer, a lump sum death payment.

Anyone who is a widow or widower, or any minor children or other family members might be eligible to receive benefits, but only if applicable.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Social Security, Pensions, and Veterans’ Affairs appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/social-security-pensions-and-veterans-affairs/

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Executor vs. Power of Attorney

If you have an executor already named in your will, do you still need a power of attorney? They aren’t really that similar, right? More or less the same things? No, in fact, they are not the same things; there are some key differences between the two, so let’s take a look at them now:

Power of Attorney

A person who is named power of attorney is someone who has the proper authority and powers (given by you) to handle any and all financial matters and property, and sign their name in your place. This authority only goes for as long as you are alive, and any power or authority you grant them ends at the time of your death.

Executor

Like a power of attorney, the person named the executor in the will has both power and authority to handle both property and finances after you’ve passed away (and after their appointment has been approved by the Court).

While duties of both executors and attorneys-in-fact (the official title of the person you appoint in a Power of Attorney) are quite similar, the main difference between them is that one of them has power and authority to act only so long as you’re alive (and ends once you’ve passed away), while the other has power that activates after you have passed away.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Executor vs. Power of Attorney appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/executor-vs-power-of-attorney/

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Importance of a Social Worker

Oftentimes when we think of social workers, images of those who work to get children out of unsafe or less than ideal conditions may pop into our heads. But it isn’t only children that social workers assist. No, in fact, there are social workers who specialize in the field of the elderly population as well.

The field of geriatric social work has indeed grown right alongside the aging population. In a report by the Administration on Aging, those people 65 or older made up about 12.4% of the population in 2000, and that number is expected to rise to 19% by 2030. That accounts for a total of 72.1 million people.

Because of this, those whose calling is in elderly social work focus on helping those individuals and their families, and the communities too. A geriatric social worker isn’t what it might sound like at first. Instead, a geriatric social worker specializes in dealing with those people 65 or older, like we mentioned above. They also often have graduate-level education and field experience in the areas of geriatrics, gerontology, aging or social work with older people.

They work to take care of a number of issues that older adults and their families have to put up with, and also the many social and environmental changes that go along with getting older. Let’s take a look at what that includes right now:

They can help you get through the mountains of paperwork and confusion that come from health care or other social services. In particular, they can help with clinical interventions for someone who is lonely or who suffers from depression or anxiety. They also serve as a link between clients and the numerous programs—both public and private—that may be available to them. They are a source of advocacy, and can give clients an Advanced Directive form and show them how to complete it, and geriatric social workers are often a first line of defense against elder abuse.

Those families in a caregiving situation right now can be greatly helped by geriatric social workers too, since they offer direct assistance to families through things like family-support services, suggesting useful technologies, and coordinating medical care. They can also provide counseling services dealing with end-of-life issues, bereavement, or any other concerns that seniors or their families could have. They are a go-between for elders and their families and the health care staff, and work to keep families apprised of their loved one’s conditions.

They can also help in a home care setting as well. Social workers specializing in geriatric care will often coordinate discharge planning from the hospital to home, and will work to conduct home visits to ensure that their client is safe, happy, healthy and living in an environment in which they can thrive. They can also let families know when home care might be inappropriate for an elder, and help with finding assistance or transportation services, or recommend specialized technology for use with in-home care.

Geriatric care managers are trained to be aware of and recognize any abnormal patterns in aging and can suggest when a doctor visit may be appropriate. They can also arrange the appointment or visit. When making use of a geriatric social worker, some elders can live in their own home when, otherwise, they would be put in a nursing home facility.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/importance-of-a-social-worker/

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Last Instructions: An Answer to What and Why

The period of time right before and right after someone passes away is one of the most chaotic times someone might personally experience. Making matters worse is the fact that no one’s business is ever in perfect order. Add to that the fact that those left behind often have to handle the fallout without having all the necessary information and it becomes a perfect storm of unfortunately normal and never easy.

Justin Scott, of Scott Counsel, recommends a letter of last instruction. “Outside of having a will, it will allow you to make your wishes known on how you want things to be handled.”

So, what can be included in your letter of last instruction? Let’s take a look!

  • Names and addresses of those who should be notified upon your death
  • Names of your family members and their relationships
  • The location of your will
  • Instructions on funeral and burial arrangements
  • The location of any and all important papers (like marriage/divorce papers, automobile title, discharge from the military, etc.)
  • Cemetery plot information
  • Safe deposit box location
  • A list and location of insurance policies
  • A list and location of any and all bank accounts (including checking and savings)
  • Information on pensions, trusts, etc.
  • A list and location of all stocks, bonds, securities, etc.
  • A statement of any and all real property with locations of mortgages, deeds etc.
  • Location of all income tax returns for the previous five years
  • Current bills, debts and cancelled checks for five years

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/last-instructions-an-answer-to-what-and-why/

Monday, October 15, 2018

Does Medicaid Pay for Adult Day Care?

In most all cases, Medicare Part B DOES NOT cover any type of adult day care. It will, however, cover some of the services the adult day care provides, though normally in limited circumstances. Medicare Part B covers mental health treatments that have been prescribed by a physician and provided by an outpatient mental health facility. If that place also happens to be an adult day care center, the patient will have the added benefit of those types of services while also receiving mental health treatments. You should be aware that Medicare will only cover care if said care involves actual medical treatment—like administration and monitoring of medication, treatment to recover from a medical crisis, or either individual or group psychotherapy.

Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plans cover everything that’s included in Parts A and B. Though, sometimes a part C plan will cover more than that, with any extra services or an expanded amount of coverage. Co-payments for Part C plans may also be different from those for Part A or B. Contact your plan directly to see if your plan provides this extra coverage or requires different co-payments.

If Medicare Part B covers some adult day care as a part of mental health care, it only covers around 50% of the approved amount that they have allotted to perform the service. In some states, Medicare partners up with Medicaid to sponsor what’s known as the PACE program, or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. This program provides comprehensive in-home and community care—including adult day care—for any elders who may otherwise need to be put into nursing home care. In those states that have the PACE program, only those with low income and few assets, who are also eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid can participate in the program.

No matter the rules regarding any specific type of care, in order for any Medicare plans to provide coverage (whether Parts A, B, or C), the care has to meet the following requirements:

  • The care has to be “medically necessary.” This means that it must be ordered or prescribed by a licensed physician or other authorized medical provider, and that Medicare (or Medicare Part C) agrees that it is both necessary and proper.
  • The care must be performed or delivered by a healthcare provider that participates in Medicare.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Does Medicaid Pay for Adult Day Care? appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/Does%20Medicaid%20Pay%20for%20Adult%20Day%20Care?/

Friday, October 12, 2018

Aging in Place

If you have done any research into elder care at all, you have probably run across the term “aging in place.” While it might be confusing at first, it’s actually pretty straightforward. All it means is that someone lives in his or her own residence as long as possible as they get older. Specifically, it means that an elder is at a time in life when he or she can have the things they need in life while still keeping the same quality of daily life. That distinction is vital, since many seniors might be mistaken thinking that aging in place will fix things that cannot be fixed simply by staying home.

If you have a loved one that has chosen to stay at home and age in place, your primary goal should be to either maintain or improve on the current quality of life. You can do this by having a solid plan in place that covers the elder, the home, finances, and other things as soon as possible. Then, simply maintain this plan for as long as you can (or as long as is realistic for their situation).

Aging in place is, in fact, a choice, and it means choosing how you want to spend your retirement years, how you want your home set up, and what healthcare choices you’ll have, which types of help are right for you, and finally, what your wishes are for major life events—like sickness, housing transitions, or financial decisions. There are a number of other things to think about too when considering aging in place, and it’s a topic best discussed with family members or other trusted friends that can help you and/or your loved one to come to the best possible decision.

In making these choices, it can provide a sense of control over things like independence, quality of life, and dignity. Chief among everything, though, is that aging in place doesn’t mean that your loved one doesn’t have to do everything on their own—hence making that plan we talked about earlier. Then, when that time comes, you or your loved one can decide how their needs are met, who will meet them, and when.

It’s important to also remember that aging in place is not the right decision for everyone. It’s for those who want to ensure for themselves a quality of life and live it in dignity, responsibly, without placing a burden on family or community.

Those who are currently taking care of an elderly parent can benefit from it too. The best way to help is to work with the elder to make sure his or her needs are being met properly and consistently, and that their wishes are being respected as much as possible.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

 

The post Aging in Place appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/aging-in-place/

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Understanding Medicaid

Many people all over the country take advantage of the benefits that Medicaid provides for them. However, those same people may not even fully understand all of the benefits they are receiving or can receive, exactly what Medicaid covers, or they may lack a general understanding of Medicaid overall.

So, what is Medicaid? Simply put, Medicaid began in 1965 after it was signed into law as a joint state and federal program. The point of Medicaid was to provide health insurance to both low-income families as well as individuals. And while it began its life as a way to provide coverage to those recipients of government welfare, its reach has extended beyond simply low-income individuals and families to certain sections of the country’s elderly and disabled population. Today, there are approximately 60 million people on the receiving end of Medicaid benefits and CHIP benefits (Children’s Health Insurance Program), and is the largest health insurance program in the nation, costing upwards of $400 billion per year.

Eligibility for benefits is determined at state level and is based on income, so each individual and family should check the Medicaid site to find the policy for their state. Those adults without children, who are between 18 and 65, are eligible to receive coverage thanks to the Medicaid expansion in the Affordable Care Act, but there are some states that may not provide coverage to those individuals.

Those who live in states implementing the expansion will qualify for benefits if they earn up to 149% of the federal poverty level. Children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and those with disabilities will qualify so long as they meet both residency and immigration requirements and are documented citizens of the United States.

Benefits

All enrollees are entitled to receive the following mandatory benefits:

  • Inpatient hospital services
  • Outpatient hospital services
  • EPSDT: Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services
  • Nursing Facility Services
  • Home health services
  • Physician services
  • Rural health clinic services
  • Federally qualified health center services
  • Laboratory and X-ray services
  • Family planning services
  • Nurse Midwife services
  • Certified Pediatric and Family Nurse Practitioner services
  • Freestanding Birth Center services (when licensed or otherwise recognized by the state)
  • Transportation to medical care
  • Tobacco cessation counseling for pregnant women

Some states also provide the following optional benefits as well:

  • Prescription drugs
  • Clinic services
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Speech, hearing and language disorder services
  • Respiratory care services
  • Other diagnostic, screening, preventative and rehabilitative services
  • Podiatry services
  • Optometry services
  • Dental services
  • Dentures
  • Prosthetics
  • Eyeglasses
  • Chiropractic services
  • Other practitioner services
  • Private duty nursing services
  • Personal care
  • Hospice
  • Case management
  • Services in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded
  • Self-directed personal assistance services
  • TB Related Services
  • Inpatient psychiatric services for those under 21
  • Other services approved by the Secretary

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post Understanding Medicaid appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/understanding-medicaid/

What are Medicaid Beds?

Despite the name, a Medicaid bed isn’t an actual bed. Instead, it refers to what is known as a bed-hold policy. This means that certain residents of nursing homes can return to their beds if they are temporarily absent from the facility.

The Nursing Home Reform Act allows those who qualify for Medicaid benefits to take advantage of “Bed-Hold and Readmission rights. These rights are not available to Medicare beneficiaries, so what this means is that those who get Medicaid and who are required to leave the facility for hospitalization or therapeutic reasons, they have the right to return, and the nursing home must hold the bed for them for a certain period of time. Although, if the absence should go beyond the bed-hold period, and if the person still requires skilled or intermediate nursing care, he or she will then be entitled to the first bed available in a semi-private room at the facility.

There are both federal and state laws in place, along with regulations, that require nursing facilities to give out written information to the elder and his or her family members that goes into detail regarding the bed-hold policy as outlined in the State Medicaid plan. However, this isn’t normal procedure for those who get reimbursed by Medicare for their care. Those individuals might be required to pay any bed-hold fees that have been instituted by the facility.

This means that people insured by Medicare aren’t protected by the above rules and regulations. However, those who aren’t protected aren’t completely left out in the cold. They have the option too either pay the daily rate in order to keep the bed or take the chance that a bed will be available elsewhere once the elder is covered by Medicaid—though this is understandably more difficult.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post What are Medicaid Beds? appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/what-are-medicaid-beds/

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

What is a Buy-In at a Continuing Care Retirement Community?

A Continuing Care Retirement Community is a type of retirement community in the U.S. where a variety of care needs can be met within the community—from independent living, assisted living, or even skilled nursing care. While there are many benefits to living in such a community, one of the downsides is the rather great financial cost. An individual could expect to pay anywhere in the range of $20,000 up to $500,000 just in entrance fees—though the exact figure depends on whether you actually purchase the unit.

There are other fees to be aware of, and one of them, the Buy-In Fee, is the focus of this article. While this fee might initially be confusing, it’s really not. All it is, is the cost you pay to buy your unit, though sometimes this isn’t even an option in some communities. Conversely, it’s required in others, as it is in the case of newer models, which often operate quite similarly to condos (which you actually purchase).

In many cases where a Continuing Care Retirement Community involves a buy-in fee, you’ll actually own your accommodations. However, in these situations, things like health care or any other services will be a separate expense.

The exact amount you’ll pay will vary depending on a number of things, such as the location and type of community, the size of the residential unit, etc., but often the cost of the unit will be comparable to any type of non-senior living facilities in the area.

When considering moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community, there are a lot of T’s to cross and I’s to dot, so:

If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.

The post What is a Buy-In at a Continuing Care Retirement Community? appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/what-is-a-buy-in-at-a-continuing-care-retirement-community/

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Annual Exclusion Gifts and Medicaid

At Scott Counsel, we pride ourselves on our extensive knowledge of difficult subjects, such as Medicaid, for example. It can be incredibly mind-boggling to try and understand when you already have so much on your mind as it is. So, we want you to know that what you think you know about Medicaid exclusion gifts and how they relate to the Medicaid look back period could be wrong.

To illustrate, many people often are under the mistaken belief that by gifting (or giving away) an amount of money that is equal to the annual gift tax exclusion ($15,000 as of 2018), that gift will then be excluded from Medicaid’s look back period, thus phasing out a waiting period prior to receiving Medicaid benefits.

Unfortunately, this is not true.

What you need to know about the gift tax is that it is a rule imposed by the IRS. This means that anyone who gifts an amount of $15,000 or less doesn’t need to report it to the IRS. They do, however, have to file a gift tax return if any amount above that number is given to anyone other than a spouse. Keep in mind, though, that you won’t necessarily pay a gift tax, and you’ll only need to do that if your total lifetime exemption is $5.49 million.

It is also important to note that this rule from the IRS is not related in any way to the asset transfer rules imposed by Medicaid. So, while the $15,000 that you can gift to a grandchild or someone else will be exempt from a gift tax, it will still be counted as a transfer by Medicaid, and this could create an ineligibility period for you when it comes to receiving benefits—though only if you apply within the next five years.

As we said, this can be a very confusing topic, but you don’t have to worry. We are professionals who are experienced in a multitude of areas related to elder care, including Medicaid, and we would be more than happy to assist you to help you get the information you need.

The post Annual Exclusion Gifts and Medicaid appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/annual-exclusion-gifts-and-medicaid/

Monday, October 8, 2018

Leaving a Legacy

We all want to be remembered. It is an innate desire in each and every one of us. When our time comes, we would like to think we will have left behind something of value. We want to leave a positive mark on society and give our family and friends a legacy to remember us by. One of the ways we can do that is through outlining our final wishes in a will or through estate planning and leaving specific things to specific people. At Scott Counsel, we value legacies. We are a law firm committed to helping you and your family preserve all of the good things—material and immaterial—that are left behind.

At the end of the day, the things that are most important to us are not things at all, but people. People matter, and getting to help individuals and families navigate through one of the toughest times in their lives is one of the most rewarding experiences we can have. We want our legacy as a firm to be the fact that we walk in and out of the office each day knowing that we’ve done our best to give our best to the people who need us the most.

If you have questions on how estate planning can be beneficial to preserving your legacy, or if you just have questions for our firm, don’t hesitate to give us a call or stop in for a face-to-face meeting today.

The post Leaving a Legacy appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/leaving-a-legacy/

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Good Facilities vs. Bad Ones

It’s never easy when it comes to making decisions about elder care. This includes the decision to move into a long-term care facility as well. Numerous things have to be considered, even prior to beginning your research, let alone actually making the move into the facility itself. Even the preparatory time can be (and is) a lot of work. Though, our focus isn’t on that part of the process. Instead, we want to focus on what comes next—what comes when you’ve actually chosen a place to move. What makes a long-term care facility good or bad? Let’s find out.

First of all, when visiting the facility, what’s the first thing you notice upon entering? Are there any weird smells emanating from any of the residents’ rooms or any other common areas? If there is, warning bells should be going off, and red flags should be raised if the overall cleanliness of the facility itself doesn’t match the standards you would set for your own home, take caution. If you wouldn’t let yourself be cared for here, it probably isn’t the best place for your loved one either.

Pay attention to the other residents too. Are they happy and smiling, or do they seem lethargic and listless? Is the facility lively or lifeless? If there are no residents you can see, speak up and ask where they are or what they may be doing. Keep an eye out for the employees as well. Are they eager to assist and have a pep in their step? Are they actively trying to help residents participate in activities? Beware of stationary employees or those who act more like a drill sergeant barking orders instead of gently coaxing people into participation. Let’s now look at some questions you should ask:

  • Can the facility meet your explicit needs? Don’t be afraid to be detailed in explaining what they are.
  • What is the cost each month? Are there any added costs for extra help with things like medications or incontinence? Even little things can cost quite a bit extra.
  • Is there a community fee for moving someone in and refurbishing a room? Is it refundable if they don’t want to stay?
  • What kinds of activities does the facility offer?
  • Are religious services held on or offsite?
  • What’s the ratio of caregivers to residents. There should be no less than 1 to 15 for assisted living and 1 to 8 for memory care.
  • What conditions would cause a resident to move to another care level?
  • Are there regular visits by physicians?
  • What sort of Alzheimer’s or dementia care training do staff members receive?
  • Is the facility licensed for dementia care, and do they have a special unit for those patients?
  • Do dementia patients have a daily routine? THEY SHOULD.
  • Question the residents about life at the facility and whether they enjoy living there. You can ask any friends or family who may be visiting as well. However, it’s important to trust your gut. If something seems off, it likely really is.


source http://www.scottcounsel.com/good-facilities-vs-bad-ones/

Friday, October 5, 2018

Using Home Equity to Pay for Long-Term Care

Owning your own home can be a wonderful thing, and it’s certainly an accomplishment, but it also has a lot more perks than you might initially think. For example, owning your own home provides you with an asset that you can borrow against when you need help paying for long-term care. Elderly adults are able to use their home’s equity to pay for any necessary long-term care. This can work to get rid of a lot of pressure on other family members and help provide adequate care to older adults as they continue to age.

Most conventional home equity loans are used to pay off things like any existing debts, mortgages, or make any home repairs. Although, the home equity isn’t completely free, since you have to pay the loan back with interest on top of that.

Conversion Mortgage Loans

The HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) reverse mortgage program, put in to place by the Federal Housing Administration, is a government program designed to help elderly homeowners get to and use the equity in their homes. While the program operates in much the same way as a conventional home equity loan, there are a number of options for payment available to you, and each one is in place to meet a specific need:

  • Tenure—This offers equal monthly payments for as long as the person borrowing remains alive and keeps the property as principal residence.
  • Term—It requires equal monthly payments, like a tenure plan, but these are made for a fixed period of time, specified by the borrower.
  • Line of Credit—Different from tenure and term plans, these plans allow for unscheduled payments at a specific time stated by the borrower, as well as in the amount the borrower requests until the line of credit is no more.
  • Modified Tenure—This combines both scheduled monthly payments and unscheduled payments on demand, but only so long as the borrower keeps their home as the primary residence.
  • Modified Term—This option combines scheduled monthly payments and unscheduled payments on demand for a fixed period, as determined by the borrower.

Requirements and Costs for HECM

  • Must be over 62 years of age.
  • Must have current mortgage either paid off or paid down by a good amount.
  • Must keep home as the primary residence to qualify for the program.
  • Must not be delinquent on any federal debt(s).
  • Mandatory counseling is required in a consumer education session

In these counseling sessions, you won’t just go over eligibility requirements and provisions to repay the loan, but also the financial effects of an HECM loan, as well as alternatives available for those who might be better off with other means of funding. These types of loans often come with a variety of fees and service charges too, though a majority of the costs of an HECM loan can be dealt with through any proceeds from the loan itself. This is good for older adults since they don’t have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses. These fees and charges include things like any initial and annual mortgage insurance premiums, an origination fee, various services fees, third-party charges, and interest on the loan in particular.

The origination fee is normally the most expensive of those. This fee is charged by lenders as compensation for processing the loan and can range from up to $2,500 for those homes valued at less than $125,000 to two percent of the first $200,000 of a homes’ value plus one percent of any amount over that number. It is important to note that these fees are capped at $6,000.

Important Questions to Ask

Making use of your home’s equity to cover any long-term care costs you have is not something you should rush into doing. Before making the final decision to use a HECM loan (or any other type of home equity loan, for that matter), potential borrowers should ask themselves the following questions:

  • Do I want to make use of the equity in my home to pay for long-term care costs?
  • Will the approximate value of my home help to cover any care costs well enough when I take on a reverse mortgage?
  • What are any potential drawbacks or consequences of a reverse mortgage?
  • What is the first thing that should be done to take care of long-term care costs after unlocking home equity?

As with anything related to the care of our elderly loved ones, deciding to use your home’s equity to pay off loans is a big decision indeed. Make sure you get all the facts and your questions answered by talking to one of the professionals at Scott Counsel. That way, you can be sure that you’re doing what is best for you, your home, and those you love.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/using-home-equity-to-pay-for-long-term-care/

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Impact of Gifts Made in the Last Five Years

We all would like to think that Medicaid will be there for us without question if we happen to need it later on in life. However, there is something called a Medicaid Look Back period that can potentially affect your eligibility to receive Medicaid benefits.

What this means is that you cannot transfer any assets to any person, be they family members, loved ones, friends, or even any charitable organizations within five years of applying to receive benefits from Medicaid. This is what is known as the Look Back period mentioned above. New Jersey doesn’t want its citizens to have to move into a nursing home when you’ve given all your money to your family, children, or anyone else, and then qualify for Medicaid shortly thereafter. To make sure it doesn’t happen, Medicaid has instituted a penalty period—a length of time in which someone who transfers any assets will be rendered ineligible to receive benefits.

Let’s see an example:

The average cost of care per month in New Jersey is $9,369 (or more). So, if you give away property that has a worth of $100,000, you will then be ineligible for Medicaid for 10 months (as $100,000 divided by $9,369 =10.67 months).

Someone applying for Medicaid has to disclose any and all of his or her financials (both income and expenses) within five years of filing the application, again referring to the Look Back period. The Board of Social Services will then determine whether or not the applicant has transferred any assets for less than fair market value.

However, not all transfers will be penalized. If you transfer assets to any of the following, you will be exempt from ineligibility:

  • A spouse
  • A blind or disabled child
  • A trust for the benefit of the blind or disabled child under the age of 65 (even if said trust is to benefit the Medicaid applicant, under specific circumstances).

What’s more, there are special exemptions that apply to transferring a home. You can transfer your home without incurring penalty to the following:

  • The applicant’s spouse
  • A child under the age of 21 who is also blind or otherwise disabled
  • A trust for the sole benefit of the blind or disabled child under the age of 65 (even if said trust is to benefit the Medicaid applicant, under specific circumstances)
  • A sibling who lived in the home during the year before the applicant’s institutionalization who already has equity interest in the home.
  • A “caretaker child,” one who is defined as a child of the Medicaid applicant who lived in the house for a minimum of 2 years before the applicant was institutionalized and who cared for the applicant so he or she could stay out of a nursing home.

If you are unsure what options you have regarding Medicaid benefits and gifting, please give us a call at (856) 281-3131 and we can help point you in the right direction.

The post Impact of Gifts Made in the Last Five Years appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/2018/10/04/impact-of-gifts-made-in-the-last-five-years/

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Deciding Between Home Care and Institutionalized Care

When trying to plan out the care of an elderly loved one, numerous things can come up that need to be taken into consideration. For now, let’s look at some of the questions you should ask, and some of the differences between home care and care at assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

First off, when you’re thinking about which services to use, an outline of your loved one’s specific needs would be beneficial. List those concerns and write out answers to them. Some questions that you can ask to assist in this process include:

  • What type of help does my loved one need to be able to live as independently as possible?
  • What are his or her healthcare, nutritional requirements, supervision, companionship, housekeeping and transportation needs?
  • How much money is allotted to pay for these services?
  • Will insurance cover any of them?
  • What days and times do they need assistance?
  • What can I, as a family member or friend, do to help them?

Now, let’s look at some differences in the different types of health care.

Home Care

This service is provided either by professionals or family members. Professionals can give care ranging from several hours a day to 24/7 care, entirely depending on the needs of the patient. For those who just need help with daily tasks, home care is nothing more than helping with common chores. Others might need help with medications, injections, or other medical help. In these situations, certified health training is required. Home care takes both a level of healthcare and supportive services to help with the individual who is homebound, sick, or disabled, but who is living at home safely. The hours, types of care, and level of care given varies by providers.

Independent Living Facilities

This type of facility allows elders to rent condos or an apartment on a community campus. On campus, there are services that provide a wide array of socialization options, and for those who are in good health, a major benefit of these is that they allow the person to stay socially active and lessen chances of social isolation or depression. Healthcare services aren’t normally provided here, so this isn’t the best option for those with major health issues.

Assisted Living Facilities

These are very similar to their Independent cousins except for the fact that an assisted living facility provides basic health services, while ILFs do not. Residents at this type of facility live independently in their own apartments but also have access to help when needed, as there are personal care staff on-hand to help with any common chores. No skilled nurses are normally on-site, so the types of health care services provided here are often limited.

Nursing Home Care

When a person requires 24-hour care, he or she is normally moved into a nursing home, where they can get care for major medical needs from a variety of medical professionals. Residents might see RNs, LPNs, doctors, and therapists daily. Nursing home residents often live in a room on facility grounds and share them with other residents. Other needs and services provided include things like housekeeping, laundry services, meals, and recreational opportunities.

It is important to remember that the right decision to make is one based on the person’s specific needs as well as what is financially feasible for the family. Consider all your options, and then consult with a doctor or physician for any concerns or questions you might have before you make a decision.

The post Deciding Between Home Care and Institutionalized Care appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/2018/10/03/deciding-between-home-care-and-institutionalized-care/

Monday, October 1, 2018

Other New Jersey Intestate Succession Rules

Here are a few things you ought to know about rules of succession if you die intestate.

  • Survivorship period. In order to inherit property or shares under New Jersey’s intestate succession laws, an individual has to outlive you by 120 hours. For example, if you have a car accident and your sibling is with you, and he or she passes away a few hours after you, his or her estate would not get any of your property.
  • Half-relatives. Any half-relatives you have inherit property the same way they would if they were considered “whole” relatives. So, your sister, who has the same father as you (but not the same mother), would have the same right to your property as she would if you had both of your parents in common with each other.
  • Posthumous relatives. Relatives who were conceived before—but born after—you died, would inherit the same as if they had been born while you were living, so long as they survive a minimum of 120 hours after birth.
  • Immigration status. Any relatives you have who are entitled to an intestate share in your property will get it whether or not they are citizens or even legally in the country.

The post Other New Jersey Intestate Succession Rules appeared first on Scott Counsel.



source http://www.scottcounsel.com/2018/10/02/other-new-jersey-intestate-succession-rules/