Welcome to the August Issue of the

Texas Elder Law E-Letter
 
 
Our office continues to remain open – virtually (phone calls, audio/video meetings, etc.) as we continue to follow CDC guidelines. Our next free virtual “Estate Planning Essentials” workshops will be on Saturday, August 15, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Call (214) 720-0102 to register or sign up online at www.dallaselderlawyer.com. We begin each workshop by asking “What questions do you have about estate planning or elder law?” Then we proceed to answer your questions over the course of the workshop. Our goal is to make it easy for you to attend from the comfort of wherever you reside. If you cannot attend the workshop this upcoming Saturday, our next will take place on Thursday, August 27 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
 
 
Michael B. Cohen will be speaking on “Alternatives to Guardianship of the Estate” on August 14, 2020 from noon until 1:30 (by zoom) through the Trusts & Estates Section's "Probate Summer School".

Michael B. Cohen spoke on the “Use of Irrevocable Retained Interest Trusts in Medicaid Planning: Is Your House Made of Sticks or Bricks?” for the 2020 Texas NAELA Summer Conference (by live webcast) through the University of Texas School of Law on July 29, 2020.

We would like to invite you to join our Alzheimer’s walk team, Michael’s Marchers, on October 23, 2020, at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, to raise funds to help find a cure for this terrible disease (whether you contribute or not). Unlike prior years of a mass gathering, the Walk will be virtual where you will be a part of group virtually or you can walk individually from any location. This will be a unique experience! Please join by clicking here.

Please note that Michael B. Cohen’s radio show on estate planning and elder law can be heard on KAAM (770 AM) on Mondays and Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Prior shows (topics are categorized) can be heard as podcasts on SoundCloud and as indicated on our website www.dallaselderlawyer.com. Our podcasts can also be heard on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to be notified of future releases.
 
 


Michael B Cohen's Latest Blogs
 
 
 
12 COMMON TEXAS PROBATE FAQ’S
 
Probate is the process where a court confirms death and determines who has the authority to collect assets of the estate of the deceased, pay creditors of the estate and distribute the assets of the estate either under the terms of a valid will or under law if there is no will.
 
 
SUCCESS STORY OF THE MONTH
 
Husband and wife (“clients”) have 2 adult children. Once child is disabled and the other is a spendthrift (money is spent as soon as it is received). The disabled child is on Medicaid and lives in a facility where the drug costs and the great majority of the care costs are paid by the government as a result of means-tested Medicaid eligibility (since the disabled child is single, he can only have $2000 in addition to an income limitations). One-half (1/2) of the assets of clients are retirement accounts owned by the husband.
 
 
BLOOD TEST TO DETERMINE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE COULD BE READY IN 2 YEARS
 
It was recently announced that a simple blood test could be effective in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease (even if the person seemed normal) 20 years before memory and thinking problems are to be expected in people with a genetic mutation that causes Alzheimer’s.
 
 

16 WAYS TO AVOID GUARDIANSHIP OF THE ESTATE
 
Guardianship if often an expensive legal process which should be avoided if possible. Thus, planning should be considered as an alternative to guardianship. Guardianship is often needed for an incapacitated person.
 
 
INSURANCE COMPANY UNINSURED
 
A recent decision of a San Antonio appellate court determined that faulty drafting of an annuity contract by the insurance company who issued the annuity resulted in a beneficiary being paid far more than the contracted terms.
 
 
 
 
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