Can I Give My Kids $15,000 a Year? If you have it to give, you certainly can, but there may be consequences should you apply for Medicaid long-term care coverage within five years after each gift. The $15,000 figure is the amount of the current gift tax exclusion (for 2018), meaning that any person who gives away $15,000 or less to any one individual in one particular year does not have to report the gift to the IRS, and you can give this amount to as many people as you like. If you give away [...]

It’s Now Harder for Veterans to Qualify for Long-Term Care Benefits  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has finalized new rules that make it more difficult to qualify for long-term care benefits. The rules establish an asset limit, a look-back period, and asset transfer penalties for claimants applying for VA pension benefits that require a showing of financial need. The principal such benefit for those needing long-term care is Aid and Attendance. The VA offers Aid and [...]

Pre-Nuptial Agreements - Not Just for the Richby Sharon L. Dyer, Esq. When we think of Pre-Nuptial Agreements or read about them in the news, we generally think of movie stars, the rich and famous. However, even the less affluent should consider having a Pre-Nuptial Agreement before marriage. Having a Pre-Nuptial Agreement, if drawn properly, can save a lot of uncertainty, aggravation and legal costs in the event couples ultimately divorce. Many marrying couples do not realize that once they [...]

Fear of Losing Home to Medicaid Contributed to Elder Abuse Case A California daughter and granddaughter's fear of losing their home to Medicaid may have contributed to a severe case of elder abuse. If the pair had consulted with an elder law attorney, they might have figured out a way to get their mother the care she needed and also protect their house. Amanda Havens was sentenced to 17 years in prison for elder abuse after her grandmother, Dorothy Havens, was found neglected, with bedsores [...]

Don't Wait Too Long to Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance The older you get, the harder it is to qualify for long-term care insurance. If you are interested in buying this insurance, it is better to act sooner rather than later. Many people put off purchasing long-term care insurance until they need it, but by then, it may be too late. Not only do premiums increase as you age, you also may not even qualify for insurance due to your health. The older you are, the more likely you are to have a [...]