Read the Print Version

“If Voting Changed Anything, They’d Make It Illegal”

Democracy Is The Theory That The Common People Know What They Want, And Deserve To Get It Good And Hard
H. L. Mencken

Good Judgment Comes From Experience, And A Lot Of That Comes From Bad Judgment
Will Rogers

A Man Who Carries A Cat By The Tail Learns Something He Can Learn In No Other Way
Mark Twain

“A Week Is A Long Time In Politics”

Toxic Typo’s – Sinful Syntax – Poisonous Punctuation. And Still Not Legal Advice!

“Our House Is A Very Very Very Fine House” – Graham Nash

What legally binding forms are required/recommended to ensure a persons desire to leave a house to someone else after they pass?

We live with my mother in law and have for the last 18 years, she is getting up in age and has promised us her house when she passes. Her other children are not aware of this at this time. To avoid drama and conflict later her and I both agree something legally binding should be created now to avoid conflicts later. What exactly needs to be created or stated to ensure that the house is left to us per her wishes? Also if the forms are not created is there a natural procedure for who the house would be offered to (eldest child etc)? Thanks

What You Should Do: Fight. Fight. Fight. Mom expressed her desire that you take care of her business. Where the hell does brother get off challenging Mom’s wishes? At the next stop, that’s where! Going to probate court, seeking guardian/conservator when Mom already handled matters is bogus. And you can quote me on that. (Unless you are neglecting Mom and stealing her money).

Accurate Answer: Lawyer up. Call the lawyer who is filing these papers in Probate Court. Express your willingness to “go to the mattresses” until Kingdom Come. And be ready to endure a contested matter in probate court. It will suck. It will be expensive. It will be worth it.

“It Is A Wise Father That Knows His Own Child”- Shakespeare

Can parent in nurse care transfer asset to a disable child without penalty? does it need to be in a trust or can it be a gift?

Dad is in a nursing home and is currently spending down however one of his adult child is on SSDI can he transfer assets to his child on SSDI without penalty Thank you

General Answer: Most Medicaid programs for older folks, including the one that pays your Dad’s skilled nursing, will allow Dad to transfer assets to a disabled child. Usually such a transfer would be “divestment” and Dad would be heavily penalized. But since brother is on Social Security Disability, transfers to him will not be divestment.

Next Step: Do not make the transfer directly to brother. You know about his Social Security Disability Income. Is it crazy to think that brother may be on other government programs? Isn’t it likely? So, let’s not give him the money directly, but create a trust “solely for the benefit” of brother. No Direct Transfer. Transfer to Supplemental Needs Trust. Works Great and No Probate! Try It, You’ll Like It! You are welcome, sir!

“Out Damned Spot!” – Shakespeare

When the person dies I am taking care of in her daughter another house can I stay there ?
I do not have a lease from the person I am caring for. The person has a life estate in her house she gave to her daughter decades ago. When she dies I feel I should be able to stay in the house for 30 days at least till I find another place to live in. The daughter and myself are not on friendly terms and she refused to give a lease years ago. I have been a caretaker for the Mother 12 years?

Sad But True Answer: You can stay in the house only so long as it takes Daughter to evict you through the usual process. Expect to get a Notice to Quit – Termination of Tenancy as soon as your client dies. That document will give you 30 days to pack up and vamoose!
Hopeless, Helpless Situation: There is nothing that can be done about this now. The person you are caring for does not own the entire house. All she has (according to you) is a “life estate” in the house. That life estate dies when your client dies. And then daughter owns all. And you are looking for an apartment.

Hindsight is 20/20 Advice: Like most people, you do not like pushiness. You don’t push other folks around. And you don’t like to complain. That’s why you do not have future housing security. You are first in line to get the Bum’s Rush as soon as your client dies. You coulda, shoulda, woulda taken care of this a long time ago. Now you are dependent on daughter who does not like you.

Do you like anxiety? Does insecurity make you happy? Otherwise, when (if) mom needs long-term care, Medicaid will say she has been giving her money away. And Medicaid will hit mom with a penalty period. Not good.

Why Estate Planning Fails

If Trusts Avoid Probate…
And Special Real Estate Deeds Avoid Probate… And Beneficiary Designations Avoid Probate… Why Do We Need More Probate Judges?

And How To Make Yours Succeed

Seems like estate planning is all about avoiding probate. Financial advisors, lawyers, your brother- in-law… everybody full of good advice about how to avoid probate. And those poor dear probate judges! Nothing to do… out of work… unemployed… thing of the past…?

But then look at your Kent County ballot come Election Day. Lo and behold, they are creating a new probate judge. A desperately needed probate judge. To meet the rising demand for probate. Who’s getting rid of any probate judges? Nobody. Busier than ever. Need more. Adding them. Not kidding.

How can this be? Isn’t everybody’s avoiding probate? And still the probate courts are overworked and overwhelmed? Gee, do you think that maybe all that “avoid probate” stuff doesn’t really work? Why not?

Your estate plan will fail. Your estate planner claims to be avoiding probate, saving taxes, and delivering the leftovers to painlessly to your beneficiaries. And this fails. Fails so badly we need more probate judges.

Traditional estate planning fails for many reasons. A big one: 70% of us will need long-term skilled care. 70% of us. For an average of 3 years. And we will go broke paying for it.

Are you surprised that thousands of recreation properties: cottages, cabins, hunting land, are lost to pay for long-term care? Then probate feasts on the measly leftovers. Why is your estate plan so bad? Evil intent? Stupidity?

LifePlanning™ defeats Nursing Home Poverty. Keep your stuff. Get the care you have already paid for. Good for you. Good for your family. Good example for society. Stay out of probate.

Should stroke, disability, dementia always lead to financial ruin? And the probate court? Are you happy to see your lifesavings evaporate? Thousands of LifePlan™ families know a better way.

If your loved one suffers from dementia that leads to death, should they die impoverished? Should the survivors live impoverished?

LifePlanning™ means your last years will be years of security and peace of mind.

Is A Real Solution A Bad Idea?

Perhaps you think you already have an answer to this problem. Maybe you do not see this as a problem at all. It is possible that you do not believe in the passage of time or its effects on you.

Peace of mind and financial security are waiting for everyone who practices LifePlanning™. You know that peace only begins with financial security. Are legal documents the most important? Is avoiding probate the best you can do for yourself or your loved ones? Is family about inheritance? Or are these things only significant to support the foundation of your family?

Do you think finding the best care is easy? Do you want to get lost in the overwhelming flood of claims and promises? Or would you like straight answers?

Well, here you are. Now you know. No excuses. Get the information, insight, inspiration. It is your turn. Ignore the message? Invite poverty? Or get the freely offered information. To make wise decisions. For you. For your loved ones.

It all begins with the LifePlan™ Workshop. An hour or two that changes your family history. The first step on the path to security and peace. Why not your family? Why not you?

NO POVERTY. NO CHARITY. NO WASTE.
It is not chance. It is choice. Your choice.

Get Information Now. (800) 317-2812

The post Mailbag Of Madness appeared first on Carrier Law.

Read the Print Version

Better To Light One Candle Than Curse The Darkness
Like A Presidential Press Conference: Typographical Errors Ignored – Punctuational Poltroonery Preserved And Not Legal Advice!

“Neither A Borrower Nor A Lender Be” – Shakespeare

Am I responsible for my husbands credit card debt if the cards are only in his name?
My husband is in a Medicare skilled nursing facility and is receiving SSI disability and is expected not to recover. Am I responsible for his credit cards that he took out in his name only?

Accurate Answer: You are not responsible for your husband’s debts. That is because the credit card company loaned money to your husband, not to you. One hopes you do not feel any twinge of responsibility for his debt.

Problematic Puzzle: Why do credit card companies issue credit cards to older folks who have no reasonable ability to pay them back? Fact: Most older folks are basically honorable. And don’t go bellyaching and begging for debt “forgiveness.” Does the immediate 3-4% credit card fee on everything folks buy on the credit card have anything to do with it? Hmmmm.

Obnoxious Observation: Our correspondent states that her husband in in a “Medicare skilled nursing facility” and “receiving SSI disability.” Probably not. Medicare only pays for a short (20 days) period of rehabilitation. Then you have a $200/day co-pay for the next 80 days.

But Medicare will boot you off rehab before you get the 20 days, so don’t worry about the next 80. Appeal all you want. You will lose. So, husband is probably on Medicaid. And when Social Security figures that out, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will vanish. And if anyone tells you that you’ll get 100 days of nursing home on Medicare, feel free to roll your eyes.

“Venus Smiles Not In A House Of Tears” – Shakespeare

Can the next door neighbor sell my friends house , I have a will, he is in nursing home?? My friend is in a nursing home with a brain tumor I am in his will, his next door neighbor wants to sell his house, can he?

Educated Guess: Next Door Neighbor is the guardian/conservator for your friend. OR Your friend has given Next Door Neighbor a financial power of attorney with real estate provisions.

Accurate Answer: Next Door Neighbor has the authority to sell your friend’s house, whether that authority was granted by the Probate Court or by your friend directly. It is common for folks to sell all their stuff when the $10-15,000/ month nursing home bill arrives. It is not usually a good idea, but it is popular. And there you have it.

In Case You Were Wondering: The will has nothing to do with any of this. A will is simply instructions to the Probate Court after the testator (person who made the will) has died. After the person has died. Not before. After death. Postmortem. Will don’t mean a thing.

Until you have died. Period.

“The World Is Not Thy Friend, Nor The World’s Law” – Shakespeare

Can I keep getting my medicaid insurance if I inherent money from a lost parent
My mother recently passed away and left me some inheritance. Medicaid insurance is stating that if i have over 2,015 dollars in my bank account i will lose my insurance. I am
almost disabled and have to have my insurance. This does not make sense to me.
Could you please help me understand if this is right. Thank you

Accurate Answer: Most Medicaid programs for older folks, including the one that pays your Medicare premiums, have an asset limit. The limit on “countable assets” is usually $2000. Countable assets include cash, real estate that is not your homestead, a second car, gold bars, and other items of value. So, if you have $2015 in the bank, you are over. And with Medicaid, over is over. If you are over by one dollar, you are over. If you are over by one million dollars, you are over. And then you lose your benefits.

Shopping Suggestion: Go to the grocery store. Buy a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, 2 dozen eggs, a stick of butter, 2 pounds of hamburger, a couple of apples. Or one bottle of wine. There. Now your bank account is below $2000! You are welcome, sir!

“Love Is Like A Child, That Longs For Everything It Can Come By” – Shakespeare

What is the best way for me to legally get paid for caring for my bedridden mother 24/7 who draws SS? She lives with me now, and I provide 24/7 care for her, changing her diapers, providing her meals, setting her up for her meals, brush her hair, clip her nails, wash and fold her clothes, pay her bills, etc. My power bill is taking a hit due to the TV and oxygen condenser constantly running.

Would charging rent be the best way? She does have a separate POA person.

So, mother doesn’t mind paying me. Is there a limit to what I can charge? I know the nursing homes take the entire check less $30, then they take that if you want to watch TV in the room to pay the cable bill. So, all my mother needs is to be taken care of, and whatever she needs, I can buy her.

Accurate Answer: In Michigan, the Bridges Eligibility Manual was rewritten years ago to make it virtually impossible to pay a family member caregiver. There is a procedure, but it is so convoluted that regular folks living regular lives will not be able to qualify.

Parent paying rent is a different story. But. Involve a rental property management company or real estate agent (get two of ‘em!). Get a written opinion. What is the market rental for the square footage mom will occupy in your home. Get it in writing.

Do not pay for mom’s stuff. Do not pay her cable bill. Or for her groceries. Or anything else that mom would have to pay for herself. Mom’s expenses have to come from mom’s pocket. This is a trap for generous kids. Over and over. You go to the grocery store. You buy the stuff on mom’s list. You pay for it all. You circle mom’s stuff on the receipt. Mom reimburses you. But because mom has no legal obligation to reimburse you, it will be treated as a gift. And mom will be penalized. So. Use mom’s debit card at the grocery store. Have mom pay her own cable bill. Otherwise, when (if) mom needs long-term care, Medicaid will say she has been giving her money away. And Medicaid will hit mom with a penalty period. Not good.

Will Your Kids Unite In Thanksgiving?

You Worked Hard, You Played By The Rules
Is It Bad For Your Family To Get A Bit To Be Thankful For?

Did You Leave Your Loved Ones A Belly Ache Of Stale Candy?

Traditional estate planning is concerned with avoiding probate, saving taxes, and dumping your leftover stuff on your beneficiaries. After you die. Nobody cares what happens to you while you are alive. How does that help anyone? Stupid.

Traditional estate planning fails because the overwhelming majority of us will need long-term skilled care. 70% of us. For an average of 3 years. And we will go broke paying for it.

Is it surprising that thousands of recreation properties: cottages, cabins, hunting land, are lost to pay for long- term care? Why is your estate planner hurting you and your family? It is evil intent? Or stupidity?

LifePlanning™ defeats Nursing Home Poverty. Keep your stuff. Get the care you have already paid for. Good for you. Good for your family. Good example for society.

When my mother suffered from the dementia which led to her death, over 10 years ago, their estate plan preserved their lifesavings. Mom’s months in the nursing home did not mean Dad’s impoverishment. Dad spent the last years with security and peace of mind.

Is Now A Bad Time For A Real Solution?

Perhaps you think you already have an answer to this problem. Maybe you do not see this as a problem at all.

It is possible that you do not believe in the passage of time or its effects on you.

Peace of mind and financial security are waiting for everyone who practices LifePlanning™. You know that peace only begins with financial security. Are legal documents the most important? Is avoiding probate the best you can do for yourself or your loved ones? Is family about inheritance? Or are these things only significant to support the foundation of your family?

Do you think finding the best care is easy? Do you want to get lost in the overwhelming flood of claims and promises? Or would you like straight answers?

Well, here you are. Now you know. No excuses. Get the information, insight, inspiration. It is your turn. Ignore the message? Invite poverty? Or get the freely offered information. To make wise decisions. For you. For your loved ones.

The LifePlan™ Workshop has been the first step on the path to security and peace for thousands of families. Why not your family?

NO POVERTY. NO CHARITY. NO WASTE.
It is not chance. It is choice. Your choice.

Get Information Now. (800) 317-2812

The post Letters | If Shakespeare Had Written Legal Advice… appeared first on Carrier Law.