Blog - Sheila Samuels Law

Purchasing a Prepaid Funeral Contract
Purchasing a Prepaid Funeral Contract

Purchasing a Prepaid Funeral Contract

No one wants to think about his or her death, but a little preparation in the form of a prepaid funeral contract can be useful. In addition to helping your family after your death, a prepaid funeral contract can be a good way to spend down assets in order to qualify for Medicaid. A prepaid or pre-need funeral contract allows you to purchase funeral goods and services before you die. The contract can be entered into with a funeral home or cemetery. Prepaid funeral contracts [...]

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-15T23:26:02+00:00September 27th, 2017|Elder Counsel|

Why You Should Use a Lawyer for Medicaid Planning
Why You Should Use a Lawyer for Medicaid Planning

Why You Should Use a Lawyer for Medicaid Planning

Many seniors and their families don't use a lawyer to plan for long-term care or Medicaid often because they are afraid of the cost. But an attorney can help you save money in the long run as well as make sure you are getting the best care for your loved one. Instead of taking steps based on what you have heard from others, doing nothing, or enlisting a non-lawyer referred by a nursing home, you can hire an elder law attorney. Here are a few [...]

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-15T23:27:26+00:00September 18th, 2017|Elder Counsel, Long-Term Care|

The Value of Using Irrevocable Trusts in Medicaid Planning
The Value of Using Irrevocable Trusts in Medicaid Planning

The Value of Using Irrevocable Trusts in Medicaid Planning

When meeting with prospective clients who are interested in creating a comprehensive estate plan, we frequently discuss using an irrevocable trust. Initially, people often wonder about the value of using irrevocable trusts in Medicaid planning. In this month’s newsletter, we will provide key benefits of using an irrevocable trust. Some of you might ask, why not just gift my assets outright without involving an irrevocable trust? The answer is gifting of assets can certainly be done outright, instead of using an irrevocable trust. Outright gifts [...]

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-15T23:29:17+00:00July 21st, 2017|Estate Planning|

The First 100 Days and The New Health Care Bill: What They Mean for Seniors and the Disabled
The First 100 Days and The New Health Care Bill: What They Mean for Seniors and the Disabled

The First 100 Days and The New Health Care Bill: What They Mean for Seniors and the Disabled

Much has been made of the first 100 days of President Trump’s administration, and of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). This bill was passed by the House as the first step to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In this month’s newsletter, we will discuss the AHCA and the potential effects on seniors and the disabled. The American Health Care Act (AHCA) The House of Representatives narrowly passed this bill on Day 105 of President Trump’s administration by a margin of 217 [...]

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-15T23:30:49+00:00June 13th, 2017|Disability, Long-Term Care, Special Needs|

Why We Fail To Plan For Long-Term Care
Why We Fail To Plan For Long-Term Care

Why We Fail To Plan For Long-Term Care

How many of us plan what we will eat or where we will vacation? I know I do. In fact, many of us have likely set aside time out of our busy lives to plan a BBQ for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend (I am guilty here too). However, many of us have not planned for the aging process or given any thought about the aging process. Most Americans do not know, or refuse to accept, the facts surrounding their potential need for long-term care and the costs associated with it. [...]

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-15T23:31:22+00:00May 26th, 2017|Long-Term Care|

The Top 10 Benefits of a Comprehensive Power of Attorney
The Top 10 Benefits of a Comprehensive Power of Attorney

The Top 10 Benefits of a Comprehensive Power of Attorney

The benefits of a highly detailed, comprehensive power of attorney are numerous. Unfortunately, many powers of attorney are more general in nature and can actually cause more problems than they solve, especially for our senior population. This issue of our e-newsletter is intended to highlight the benefits of a comprehensive, detailed power of attorney.A proper starting point is to emphasize that the proper use of a power of attorney as an estate planning and elder law document depends on the reliability and honesty of the [...]

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-15T23:33:30+00:00May 12th, 2017|Legal Documents|

May is National Elder Law Month
May is National Elder Law Month

May is National Elder Law Month

May is National Elder Law Month. This designation was established by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) as a way to acknowledge the profession which supports the senior community (defined as people over 65 years) with all of their planning needs. […]

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-16T00:50:25+00:00May 8th, 2017|Elder Counsel|

Underestimating the Risk of Disability – The Importance of Being Prepared
Underestimating the Risk of Disability – The Importance of Being Prepared

Underestimating the Risk of Disability – The Importance of Being Prepared

No one likes to think about the possibility of their own disability or the disability of a loved one.

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-16T00:52:13+00:00April 6th, 2017|Disability|

Practical Tips for Special Needs Planning
Practical Tips for Special Needs Planning

Practical Tips for Special Needs Planning

In honor of “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,” proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-16T00:54:15+00:00March 28th, 2017|Special Needs|

Planning for Public Benefits
Planning for Public Benefits

Planning for Public Benefits

Most studies are consistent in showing the 1 in 2 people

By Sheila Samuels|2019-01-27T20:04:44+00:00March 7th, 2017|Estate Planning|