Southerners often pride themselves on taking care of family.  However, as family members live longer and Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are becoming more common, caring for an aging loved one can be challenging. Many times, family members cannot quit their jobs to care for the loved one, or they may not have the care-giving expertise to meet their loved one’s needs. When it’s time to consider skilled care, like a nursing home, the family needs to talk to an elder law attorney about asset protection and potential government benefits, such as Medicaid and SSI. Avoid "Spend Down" with a … [Read more...]

Disabilities can occur at any age . . . . . . But disabilities do not have to mean the end of living a full life. However, the specifics of “a full life” for disabled people go well beyond the basic needs provided by government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. Avoid the "Spend Down" Most people think that they have to spend down practically all of their financial assets in order to qualify for these governmental benefits, but that is not the case. When financial assets are placed in a Supplemental Needs Trust, also called a Special Needs Trust, a disabled … [Read more...]