The federal estate tax looms large for people who have been very successful from a financial perspective. You work hard for your money, and you pay taxes along the way. Most people would assume that they could leave what is left to their loved ones tax-free, but unfortunately, this is not the case for some successful people. The death tax can take a heavy toll on your financial legacy. It carries a maximum rate of 40 percent, so we are talking about a very significant chunk of your … [Read more...] about What Is the Federal Estate Tax Exclusion?
Have You Thought about Affton Medicaid Planning?
Creating a comprehensive estate plan requires you to do much more than simply decide who you wish to have your assets when you are gone. The distribution of your estate assets is only a small part of a well thought out estate plan. Other issues, such as incapacity planning, probate avoidance, and asset protection, for example, should also be considered. One other issue that you should consider when creating your estate plan is the possibility that you will need long-term care (LTC) at some point … [Read more...] about Have You Thought about Affton Medicaid Planning?
Affton Estate Planning Lawyers Ask, “Have You Updated Your Estate Plan Lately?”
If you have an estate plan in place, you are better prepared than over half of all Americans. Surveys tell us that despite understanding the importance of having an estate plan in place, over half of all Americans have yet to create one. Having even the most basic estate plan in place offer protection to you, your assets, and your loved ones as well as ensuring that your wishes will respected with regard to the disposition of your estate assets when the time comes. Once your plan is in place, … [Read more...] about Affton Estate Planning Lawyers Ask, “Have You Updated Your Estate Plan Lately?”
How Can a Living Trust Lawyer Help Me?
Throughout your lifetime you will likely need the assistance of several different types of lawyers. The key to getting the most out of legal advice is going to the right type of lawyer for that advice. Just as you would not consult a pediatrician if you were having chest pains, you should not go to a criminal defense lawyer if you need advice on estate planning. At some point, you may find that you need advice and/or assistance from a living trust lawyer. Knowing what type of legal matters a … [Read more...] about How Can a Living Trust Lawyer Help Me?
Missouri Couple Convicted of Medicaid Fraud
A Missouri couple was recently convicted of several counts of Medicaid fraud and related criminal offenses. Sadly, the story behind the convictions is a perfect example of elder financial exploitation. Preying on one elderly individual, however, wasn’t enough for the couple. As the story explains, the couple abused their position of trust as the owners of a long-term care facility which allowed them to engage in long-term Medicaid fraud. Unfortunately, the government is only able to identify and … [Read more...] about Missouri Couple Convicted of Medicaid Fraud
Do I Need a Missouri Special Needs Trust?
Like many people, you may think in terms of passing down your assets to loved ones when you think about estate planning. That may, indeed, be the primary focus of your estate plan; however, you will likely need to include additional goals and objectives within your plan as well in order to ensure that you, your assets, and your loved ones are protected and provided for both now and in the future. If you are the parent of a child with special needs, for example, you will undoubtedly want to … [Read more...] about Do I Need a Missouri Special Needs Trust?
Affton Medicaid Attorneys Explain Spousal Impoverishment
If it appears as though you, or a spouse, will need nursing home care in the near future you need to start thinking about how you will cover the cost of that care. The high cost of nursing home care results in almost half of all seniors to turn to Medicaid for help with their nursing home expenses. You may be considering Medicaid as a source for help with your future nursing home costs; however, you have heard one too many horror stories about how turning to Medicaid for help leads to a loss of … [Read more...] about Affton Medicaid Attorneys Explain Spousal Impoverishment
The Danger in DIY Wills and Trusts
In the age of the internet, it seems as though you can find just about anything with a few clicks of a mouse. Even “Do-It-Yourself” legal forms can be located easily on the internet. It may be very tempting to use these DIY forms to finally get started on your estate plan that you have been putting off. After all, using a few DIY forms will save you both time and money, right? Wrong! Using forms you found on the internet, such as DIY Wills and trusts, may save you time and money now; however, … [Read more...] about The Danger in DIY Wills and Trusts
St. Louis Elder Law Attorneys Offer Tips for Finding the Right Nursing Home
For a spouse or an adult child, one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make is deciding that a spouse or parent requires more care than you can provide. Once you have made that difficult decision, the search for the right nursing home begins. Entrusting someone you love to the around the clock care of other people is difficult enough. Trying to decide the best place for that care can be a nerve wracking experience, particularly in light of some off the horror stories you hear … [Read more...] about St. Louis Elder Law Attorneys Offer Tips for Finding the Right Nursing Home
How Will You Pay Nursing Home Expenses?
Like most people, you probably would prefer not to dwell on the fact that you might one day end up in a nursing home. While it is certainly not a good idea to spend too much time worrying about something that cannot be predicted, failing to plan for the possibility that you will need to pay for nursing home care in the future is also a bad idea. If you have incorporated retirement planning tools and strategies into your comprehensive estate plan, you already know how important it is to plan for … [Read more...] about How Will You Pay Nursing Home Expenses?
