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Welcome to the February Issue of the

Texas Elder Law E-Letter

Our next free “Estate Planning Essentials” workshops will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Seating is limited. 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.

Michael B. Cohen, Mark Denzin and Clarissa Clarke (Executive Director and Public Policy Chair, respectively) of the North Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, among others, met with Congressman Collin Allred (see photo) on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association. An article about recent developments in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease is included below.

Michael B. Cohen spoke at the Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group at the Wilshire Baptist Church on February 8, 2019.

On Saturday, February 9, 2019 Michael B. Cohen hosted his first “Facebook Live Event”. This event can be accessed by clicking here. For those who participated, let us know if you would like us to do this again.

Michael B. Cohen’s radio show on estate planning and elder law can be heard on KAAM (770 AM) every Monday at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Prior shows (topics are categorized) can be heard as podcasts on Sound Cloud as indicated on our website www.dallaselderlawyer.com.

STATE POLICY EXCLUDING IRAS AS A RESOURCE FOR MEDICAID CLARIFIED (BUT FURTHER CLARITY IS NEEDED)

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on February 7, 2019 attempted to clarify its new policy regarding treatment of retirement accounts

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SUCCESS STORY OF THE MONTH - SPENDLESS SPENDDOWN

Husband (the “institutionalized spouse”) enters into a nursing home in November 2018 while his 70 year old wife (the “community spouse”) lives at home.

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

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:

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IRA DISTRIBUTIONS COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO RECEIVING VETERANS PENSION BENEFITS

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.

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

The result of a clinical study entitled “Sprint Mind” seems to demonstrate that intensive treatment to reduce blood pressure will significantly reduce mild cognitive impairment.

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