Texas is one of six states that will require pre-authorization for certain traditional fee-for Medicare services starting January 1, 2026. Previously, pre-authorization was only required by those who have Medicare Advantage plans. This will apply to 17 services that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)...
Effective September 1, 2025, the “transfer of assets divisor” in Texas for long-term care Medicaid has increased from $242.13 to $262.37 (which represents the average daily cost of long-term care in Texas). The increased figure applies to Medicaid applications in Texas submitted on or after...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a blood test called Lumipulse to help diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease in some patients over 55. Lumipulse tests two proteins in the blood plasma, which detect if there are Amyloid plaques (common for those with Alzheimer’s ) in...
Sharon Osbourne (wife of the late rock and roll singer, Ozzy Osbourne) once said, “I don’t want someone who has never met my husband owning his name and likeness and selling t-shirts everywhere. No, it stays in the Osbourne family.” However, did he have proper estate...
Malcolm LaVergne, the special administrator of O.J. Simpson’s estate, has sued Primary Holdings, LLC, owned by O.J. Simpson’s son, Justin Simpson, for claiming that he is the owner of O.J. Simpson’s Las Vegas home. Originally, O.J. purchased the home with the help of Primary Holdings, LLC,...
Although the One Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, may not directly impact nursing homes, such skilled nursing facilities are likely to feel the pinch. Medicaid is a joint program between the federal and state governments. Most nursing homes in...
Jimmy Buffett’s widow and co-trustee of his trust, Jane Slagsvol, and his longtime financial advisor, accountant, and co-trustee of his trust, Richard Mozenter, have filed suits to remove each other as a trustee. The trust estate is worth an estimated $275 million dollars (which includes...
Many accumulate frequent flyer miles or loyalty rewards for traveling with airlines. However, most of the larger commercial airlines do not permit mileage or points to transfer upon the death of the person who accumulated the mileage or points (the “member”). The policies of each...
The estate planning of Brian Wilson, the legendary co-founder and primary songwriter of the Beach Boys, was a mixed bag. Wilson, whose death was announced on June 11, 2025, had a revocable living trust, which was likely beneficial in numerous ways, ranging from probate avoidance...
The Althorp Estate, Princess Diana’s childhood home and final resting place, will likely be inherited by her nephew Louis Spencer, instead of her children, Prince Harry and Prince William. The family estate has been owned by the Spencer family since 1508, and it is presently run...
Have you ever been notified of a friend’s birthday even after their death? Sometimes family members (parent, sibling, child, spouse) or executors fail to notify Facebook of the account holder’s death. Instead of doing nothing, there are 2 options: (1) deletion of the account or...
The last will and testament of Frank Fritz (who was a star on the popular television show “American Pickers” on the History Channel) has been challenged by his father, Bill Fritz, due to lack of capacity. Frank was a co-host on the show (where he and...
A California appeals court has ruled that neither Damian Hurley (whose mother is famous actress, Elizabeth Hurley) nor Kira Bonder, the illegitimate children of the late Stephen Bing, could receive hundreds of millions of trust funds from their paternal grandfather, Dr. Peter Bing, since they...
Although there is unlimited equity limit of a homestead to be excluded as a countable resource if the applicant for long term-care Medicaid is married and the non-applicant spouse lives in the community (the community spouse), there is a $730,000 equity limit in 2025 if...
Unlike the last will and testament that one might consider in the United States, the last will and testament of Pope Francis focused on where he should be buried (Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome) where he had prayed often. His will stated “I...
Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a bill called the “Invest America Act” which would establish a “Trump account” with $1000 for children born after July 4, 2026, who are U.S. citizen with at least one parent who is a U.S. citizens at the time of...
Many teachers, firefighters, police officers and people who received a pension due to work not covered by Social Security may receive (or have received) a Social Security benefit increase pursuant to Social Security Fairness Act signed by former President Biden on January 5, 2025 which...
A Virginia judge has ruled that human embryos are not chattel goods, or personal property subject to division. Jason and Honeyhline Heidemann were a married couple who began in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 2015. At that time, they entered into an agreement on embryo ownership...
There are numerous Medicaid programs that require a pay-back of governmental benefits advanced after the death of the Medicaid recipient. This is most common is if the will of the deceased is probated or under the laws of intestacy (when the Medicaid recipient doesn’t have...
Laws vary on whether a houseboat is a home, if it is protected from creditors or if there can even be any tax benefits. Medicaid, bankruptcy and the Internal Revenue Code all address treatment of houseboats. MEDICAID TREATMENT OF HOUSEBOATS AS HOME: Under long-term care Medicaid...
