When drafting your estate plan, you’ll need to think about when and if you would like a trusted friend or family member to step in and make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. There are several types of power of attorney documents, and your estate planning attorney can help you decide which option best suits your needs. General This document gives full decision-making rights to the person Read More

As a joint state and federal program, Medicaid is subject to a variety of state requirements, as well as a broader set of federal requirements. To get the Medicaid nursing home benefit, an individual must pass the asset test. Those who have too high of an income or too many assets do not qualify for Medicaid. However, certain assets are exempt from the asset test, allowing individuals to maintain some of their Read More

When you only have a little bit left in the bank every month after bills are paid, it’s easy to think that estate planning isn’t a priority for you. Lots of people think that estate planning is only for those with lots of assets, but there are several reasons that every adult should have a solid estate plan in place. 1. Protect Yourself If You Become Incapacitated  You might think that estate planning only Read More

The need for long-term care can arise suddenly, or it may be a gradual process. Either way, advance planning can help you prepare for the need to have long-term care for virtually any reason when you need it. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of not preparing at all or preparing in a way that is not really complete. Your long-term care planning will be much more effective if you consider these common Read More

You may have heard that you should be planning ahead so that you can use Medicaid for long-term care. However, many people wait until it is too late to plan effectively. This type of planning is necessary, but difficult to fully understand and appreciate until you need it—which is likely part of the reason it is overlooked or forgotten. The reality is that it is difficult to determine or predict when you will need Read More

A revocable living trust is an estate planning tool that has many benefits. If you want to control how your loved ones use assets or funds after you pass, or if you want to provide to someone else if you become incapacitated, a revocable living trust may be a good option for you. Benefits of a Living Trust The most important benefits of a living trust will vary depending on your unique financial and family Read More

Many people make the mistake of assuming that they have a complete estate plan because they have a Will. While a Will is often an essential part of an estate plan, it should not be the only estate planning tool that you use. Wills cannot address certain types of assets and may not be able to leave assets to your loved ones in the way that you would like. Instead, other estate planning tools may be necessary or just Read More

Although Medicaid is a federal program, it is actually state-run. That means that the program varies slightly from state to state. In North Carolina, the NC Medicaid Division of Health Benefits and your county Division of Social Services (DSS) caseworkers work together to ensure that the Medicaid program runs smoothly. Whether you are eligible for Medicaid will depend on a number of factors, including your age, Read More

Many people confuse Medicare and Medicaid. While many of the benefits from these federal healthcare programs are similar, the programs themselves are very different. They apply to different people, and they offer various levels of benefits. The main distinction is that Medicare is considered an insurance program while Medicaid is an assistance program. How Does Medicare Work? Medicare primarily serves those Read More

Estate planning can a very complicated and confusing process. There are a lot of misconceptions and myths around estate planning, which is why it’s important to know the facts to avoid making any mistakes. This article will help enlighten you on the common estate planning mistakes and how you can avoid them to save you and your family the headache and money in fixing problems and the unnecessary fees and taxes Read More