Miscellaneous News & Articles
The Rights of Persons Under a Guardianship
Guardianship can be a critical component of special needs planning, as individuals with severe disabilities who cannot manage personal and financial affairs may need guardians upon turning 18. Legal Guardianship for Adults with Disabilities When children with significant cognitive or developmental disabilities become legal adults, their caregivers may lose the lawful ability to help with […]READ POST »
When Does a Person Lack Capacity in a Guardianship?
The guardianship of an adult, in which a judge appoints an individual to make choices for a person over 18, is appropriate when the adult lacks capacity. Capacity is a general legal term that refers to a person’s cognitive ability. For instance, when people lack capacity to make a will, they cannot execute a valid […]READ POST »
Developing Financial Skills in Kids with Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. As a spectrum disorder, ASD impacts individuals differently and to varying degrees. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 36 children have autism. Over a third of children with autism experience intellectual disabilities. Many parents […]READ POST »
Can You Appeal When a Hospital Considers You an Outpatient?
A hospital’s classification of you as inpatient or outpatient can significantly affect Medicare’s coverage, shaping how much you pay for services and whether your coverage includes care in a skilled nursing facility. Medicare Part A pays for inpatient hospital and post-hospital extended care, including care in a skilled nursing facility following admission to a hospital. […]READ POST »
9 (Potential) Problems with Your Trust
All trusts should be reviewed every few years to make sure that they are up to date with the law and meet your current goals. Following is a checklist of trust features you can review yourself. But be aware that these only refer to revocable “living” trusts, not to irrevocable trusts. Do you have the […]READ POST »
Congress Eliminates SSDI Waiting Period for People with ALS
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, it imposes a five-month waiting period between the onset of the applicant’s disability and when they can begin receiving benefits. Now, thanks to legislation enacted by the Trump Administration, people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will be exempted from that waiting period. “Americans […]READ POST »
An ABLE Account Could Be a Great Place for Your $1,400 Relief Payment
The American Rescue Plan was recently signed into law. Among its benefits are $1,400 checks that are already landing in the bank accounts or mailboxes of most Americans to help them weather the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Recipients with disabilities who rely on government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid may […]READ POST »
What You Can’t Do with a Will
While a will is one of the most important estate planning documents you can have, there are things that it will not cover. A will is just one part of a comprehensive estate plan. A will is a legally binding statement directing who will receive your property at your death. It is also the way […]READ POST »
What to Do with Your Stimulus Check if You Are in a Nursing Home
As the second (and maybe third) round of stimulus checks go out, it is important to know that nursing home residents are not required to turn their checks over to their nursing home. And Medicaid recipients need to spend the cash within a year if it puts them over Medicaid’s resource limit. In December 2020, […]READ POST »
