There are a myriad of topics to consider while getting your estate in order. While a last will and testament can help to organize your property and assets, list your beneficiaries and name guardians, you may benefit by incorporating a living trust into your estate...
Should I get a simple will?
The majority of Americans have no estate plan in place. Many labor under the idea that estate planning is something that you only need to think about if you are nearing retirement and have a lot in the way of assets. This is not true. Nobody likes to think about dying...
What are the Medicaid long-term care limits in Texas?
Medicaid provides coverage for eligible adults who need long-term care in a nursing home or similar facility. When a parent or loved one requires this level of medical supervision, the family may be unsure how to qualify for this type of insurance in Texas. Families...
Medicaid-qualifying trusts
Eligibility for Medicaid is based on means. In other words, the program does not extend benefits to applicants who have more than a certain amount in assets. This system works reasonably well for people of modest means who qualify for the program, and wealthier people...
Understanding Medicaid’s lookback period
As seniors age, they often begin to think about when they will need additional care. Perhaps, a close friend suffers from Parkinson’s disease and now needs to be in a nursing home. Or a spouse now has dementia and a couple has to consider when to move into assisted...
When should I seek a guardianship for my elderly loved one?
Guardianships for adults can be quite different than those established for children. Your elderly loved one may need a guardianship if they have become mentally incapacitated or a condition otherwise renders them unable to make vital decisions themselves. That is not...
Does my elderly parent need guardianship established?
As your parents grow older, there may come a time when they can no longer make decisions regarding finances and medical treatment. At that point, it may be time to consider petitioning the court for guardianship. Guardianship allows you to assume control when your...
Becoming a guardian for an aging parent
Taking care of children is a given. Have you thought about taking care of an aging parent? The trend of becoming a guardian over a parent who can no longer effectively make decisions alone is occurring more, and Texas families need to prepare for the...
What are some signs of a bad nursing home?
Placement in a nursing home may be necessary for your elderly loved one’s well-being. However, not all facilities offer the same level of care. In some cases, staff and conditions within the nursing home can actually be detrimental to your loved one’s health, which in...
Estate planning considerations for blended families
It is not uncommon for people in Texas to get married for the second time either after a previous divorce or to the death of a first spouse. A second marriage can be a bright spot in a person's life and provide hope for a positive future but it also raises new...
