Last Year for Couples to Use ‘Claim Now, Claim More’ Later Social Security Strategy
This is the last year that spouses who are turning full retirement age can choose whether to take spousal benefits or to take benefits on their own record. The strategy, used by some couples to maximize their benefits, will not be available to people turning full retirement age after 2019.
Guns and Dementia: Dealing With A Loved One’s Firearms
Having a loved one with dementia can be scary, but if you add in a firearm, it can also get dangerous. To prevent harm to both the individual with dementia and others, it is important to plan ahead for how to deal with any weapons.
Feds Release 2019 Guidelines Used to Protect the Spouses of Medicaid Applicants
The federal government has released the 2019 federal guidelines for how much money the spouses of Medicaid recipients may keep, as well as related Medicaid figures..
Does Your Estate Plan Include Your Pets?
Have you considered your pet or pets when planning your estate? If not, you should, according to The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization.
Why Not Just Use an Off-the-Shelf Power of Attorney Form?
A durable power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents you can have. It is important to get it right, so you shouldn't use a do-it-yourself form.
Understanding Medicare’s Hospice Benefit
Medicare's hospice benefit is one of the most comprehensive benefits and can be extremely helpful to both the terminally ill individual and his or her family, but it is little understood and underutilized.
The Best and Worst States for Protection Against Elder Abuse
The older the population gets, the greater the potential for elder abuse. States have laws in place designed to combat elder abuse, but some states are doing a better job than others.
Charitable Giving Options Under the New Tax Law
The new tax law makes it harder to claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions. While charitable giving should not be only about getting a tax break, if you want to get a tax benefit from your contributions, there are a couple of options.
Have Private Insurance and Are Turning 65? You Need Sign Up for Medicare Part B
If you are paying for your own insurance, you may think you do not need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65. However, not signing up for Medicare Part B right away can cost you down the road.
Can You Put a Surveillance Camera in a Nursing Home Room?
Technological advances have made it easier to stay connected with loved ones all the time. This has included the ability to install cameras in a loved one's nursing home room. These so-called “granny cams” have legal and privacy implications.
