Some common misconceptions about estate planning are that they are only for wealthy individuals and that young people do not need them until they are older. The fact is that most everyone, regardless of finances or age, needs a solid estate plan. By setting estate planning goals today, you can be ready for the future…. Read More »
Posts Categorized: Medicaid Planning
Your Parents and Long-Term Care Planning
There can be a lot of considerations for those with senior parents. One issue that many families face is how to help ensure that their loved one’s medical expenses are covered by their insurance and that their out-of-pocket costs can be paid. For many, planning for these medical expenses may not necessarily include the costs… Read More »
How will you spend your moment in time?
“Time has a way of showing us what really matters” ~ Unknown Author I sat with Nora in her hospital room, having just finished helping her sign her legal papers. Her mind was sharp, but her body was failing. Nora was worn out from a heart attack and several surgeries, and the doctors… Read More »
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)
Seniors are often faced with an overwhelming amount of information when it comes to their healthcare benefit options. With all of these choices, it is easy for people to get confused and to miss out on many valuable benefits and services. In Michigan, the Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) serves as an important resource which… Read More »
Is Age Just A Number?
There is no old age. There is, as there always was, just you. ~ Carol Grace In my estate planning and elder law practice, we talk about age all the time. When do people start to worry about age? How old is “old”? Why do some people seem to be more comfortable with their… Read More »
Saving for Retirement: The Best Strategies
When you start working it can be difficult to fathom that one day you will be able to retire. While it may seem that retirement is many years away, for individuals in their 50’s and 60’s retirement can be a fast approaching reality. Ideally, people in this age group will have been preparing for retirement… Read More »
What You Need to Know About Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans
As we advance in age, we are often faced with new medical challenges and the need for specialized treatment. Under Medicare, this can mean receiving care from new doctors and incurring a great deal of out-of-pocket expenses. Fortunately, having some freedom of choice as to your provider and sense of how much you will have… Read More »
A Medigap Policy Can Help Cover What Medicare Doesn’t
Anyone who has Medicare can tell you that it most definitely does not cover all medical expenses. Often the Medicare recipient is left to pay expenses such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. The out-of-pocket expenses or “gaps” as they are commonly known can add up quickly, especially in the event of a serious illness or… Read More »
What is Long-Term Care Insurance?
In an ideal world, everyone would be able to enter into their senior years with few medical issues. However, everyone is somewhere in the aging process and therefore headed towards a time when they may need assistance taking care of themselves. With the rising costs of healthcare and the increased expense related to the care… Read More »
Do You Need a Patient Advocate Designation?
End-of-life care is a controversial topic. Not everyone agrees on issues like artificial life support, tube feeding, resuscitation, and organ donation. However, in an end-of-life scenario doctors and loved ones are left to guess what you would want done if your wishes are not explicitly laid out beforehand. This is why it’s so important to… Read More »