Miscellaneous News & Articles
Long-Reviled Military ‘Widow’s Tax’ Is Finally Being Phased Out
A controversial policy that reduces the benefits of military spouses is on the way out. The so-called “widow’s tax” cuts assistance to surviving military spouses who qualify for benefits under two different military benefit programs. The two programs are: The Department of Defense’s Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), which allows a military retiree to contribute part […]READ POST »
Will Medicare Cover a Coronavirus Vaccine?
With the coronavirus pandemic responsible for more than a hundred thousand deaths and disrupting life across the United States, the only way for the country to return to normal is an effective vaccine. When a vaccine is available, Medicare will cover the cost. Medicare covers vaccines in a variety of ways, depending on the vaccine. […]READ POST »
States Ask That Student Loans of Those with Disabilities Be Automatically Forgiven
The federal government has determined that tens of thousands of people with disabilities are eligible to have their student loan debt discharged, but due to the burdensome process involved, only a fraction of these borrowers have had their debts erased. Student loan officials from seven states and the District of Columbia are now calling on the […]READ POST »
Make Sure Your Beneficiary Designations Match Your Estate Plan
Many types of property and investments pass outside of probate and allow you to designate who will receive them after your death. It is important that these designations are kept up to date and are consistent with the rest of your estate plan. When you open an investment account or retirement plan or buy life […]READ POST »
May Someone with Dementia Sign a Will?
Millions of people are affected by dementia, and unfortunately many of them do not have all their estate planning affairs in order before the symptoms start. If you or a loved one has dementia, it may not be too late to sign a will or other documents, but certain criteria must be met to ensure […]READ POST »
Transferring Assets to Qualify for Medicaid
Transferring assets to qualify for Medicaid can make you ineligible for benefits for a period of time. Before making any transfers, you need to be aware of the consequences. Congress has established a period of ineligibility for Medicaid for those who transfer assets. The so-called “look-back” period for all transfers is 60 months, or 5 […]READ POST »
Four Ways the Coronavirus Pandemic May Affect Long-Term Care Insurance
The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the elderly, particularly those in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. This has raised questions about how the virus has influenced the costs and provision of long-term care insurance, which covers care in facilities and sometimes at home as well. If you have a long-term […]READ POST »
Nursing Homes Are Evicting Residents to Make Room for Coronavirus Patients
Illegal evictions of Medicaid nursing home residents are nothing new, but the coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating the problem, according to an investigation by the New York Times. Some states have asked nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients to ease the burden on hospitals. Even as the virus has devastated nursing homes, some have been welcoming these patients, […]READ POST »
Coronavirus Relief Funds Paid to Deceased Americans Must Be Returned
The federal coronavirus relief bill has sent direct emergency payments to some 150 million Americans in the wake of the pandemic. Among the recipients are possibly millions of deceased individuals, raising questions about what their survivors should do with the money. After weeks of silence, the IRS has finally confirmed that the money should be returned and […]READ POST »
How to Avoid Problems as a Trustee
Being a trustee is a big responsibility and if you do not perform your duties properly, you could be personally liable. That is why it’s important to hire the right people to guide you in this important role. A trust is a legal arrangement through which one person (or an institution, such as a bank […]READ POST »
