Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer |

12 Feb SUCCESS STORY OF THE MONTH – SPENDLESS SPENDDOWN

Posted at 21:18h in Divorce, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement, Social Security, Success Story of the Month

Husband (the “institutionalized spouse”) enters into a nursing home in November 2018 while his 70 year old wife (the “community spouse”) lives at home. Husband has no long-term care insurance and his income is insufficient to pay for his care (generally at least $5,000 to...

12 Feb STATE POLICY ON EXCLUDING IRAs AS A RESOURCE FOR MEDICAID CLARIFIED (BUT FURTHER CLARITY IS NEEDED)

Posted at 21:12h in 401(k), Assisted Living, End of Life Care Planning, Estate Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement

Although there are many still unanswered questions and there has been no written policy since changes were initially announced last August, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on February 7, 2019 attempted to clarify its new policy regarding treatment of retirement accounts (traditional...

12 Feb NEW GOLD STANDARD STUDY SHOWS INTENSIVE BLOOD PRESSURE TREATMENT LIKELY TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE DEMENTIA

Posted at 21:08h in Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Long Term Care

The result of a clinical study entitled “Sprint Mind” seems to demonstrate that intensive treatment to reduce blood pressure (to a consistent systolic pressure of 120 or below) will significantly reduce mild cognitive impairment. Researchers reported a nineteen percent (19%) lower rate of new cases of...

12 Feb IRA DISTRIBUTIONS COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO RECEIVING VETERANS PENSION BENEFITS

Posted at 21:05h in Assisted Living, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Retirement, Social Security, Veterans

Many wartime veterans or their surviving spouses who become disabled (for reasons other than wartime service) are entitled to a benefit to help pay for costs of care (most commonly if the veteran or their surviving spouse is in an assisted living facility). Although the...

12 Feb DO YOU TRUST A TRUST? NINE WAYS TO USE A TRUST IN PLANNING

Posted at 21:02h in Asset Protection, Beneficiary, Business, Disability Benefits, Estate Planning, Inheritance, Lawsuits, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Probate Administration, Public Benefits Protection, Taxes, Texas Bar Today Top 10 Blog Posts, Trusts

Trusts are often a good tool to achieve one’s estate planning. Although this list is not exhaustive, the following are common things to consider: Protect beneficiaries from lawsuits. If properly drafted, a trust created in your Last Will and Testament or in your own revocable or...