Recent Blog Posts
Trusts: Key Terms to Understand
All adults should be thinking about estate planning. While common myths suggest that estate planning is only for older adults or adults with chronic and serious illnesses, estate planning is crucial for many reasons. Trusts are one type of tool in the estate planning process. Although establishing a trust might not be appropriate for… Read More »
What is a QTIP Trust?
If you are married and have not yet worked with an estate planning lawyer to write a will, to create advance directives, and to consider the value of a trust, you might want to consider a qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust. This is one of many types of trusts that a person can… Read More »
How Does a Living Will Work?
For anyone considering estate planning for themselves, or hoping to help an elderly parent with elements of estate planning, advance directives are essential to consider. Advance directives are different types of documents that ultimately allow a person to have a say in their own medical decisions or health care proceedings even if they become… Read More »
New Laws in Connecticut Aimed at Elder Care
Earlier this summer, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed new bills into law that are aimed at improving elder care in the state, including certain additions to Medicaid coverage for older adults in the state. As you are beginning to think about your own long-term care plans, or if you are helping your elderly parents… Read More »
How to Discuss Estate Planning with Your Elderly Parents
Many adults in their 40s and 50s have elderly parents who are beginning to need significant medical care and help with their finances, yet it remains common for elderly adults to have avoided estate planning earlier in life. As such, many of those adults in their 40s and 50s are thinking about how to… Read More »
What is a Special Needs Trust?
If you have a disabled child or another loved one who is disabled, part of your estate planning process should be thinking about establishing a special needs trust (also known more simply as an SNT). While there are many different types of trusts that can be created in Connecticut and can provide benefits to… Read More »
What Are Countable Assets for Medicaid Planning?
As we get into our 40s and 50s, many of us have aging parents who need to learn more about Medicaid planning and long-term care options. Not only is it important for adult children to understand how the law works so that they can help their parents and other elderly relatives, but many adult… Read More »
How Does Medicaid Planning Involve Asset Protection?
Whether you have parents who are getting to the age where they could soon require some form of long-term care, or you are starting to think about retirement in the next decade or so yourself and how to make financial plans for the future that take into account potential health needs, it is important… Read More »
What is a Power of Attorney?
Whether you are in your 40s, 50s, or older, it is critical to think about estate planning and the documents that you will need to have in place to protect yourself and your family. One important type of document is the power of attorney (often simply called a POA), and it is important to… Read More »
What is the Medicaid Lookback Period?
Whether you are starting to think about Medicaid planning and asset-protection strategies for yourself as you age, or you are assisting an elderly parent with Medicaid planning and asset protection, it is critical to understand what is involved in Medicaid planning and how the “lookback period” works. In short, the lookback period refers to… Read More »