History Lesson: How Did Connecticut Become The Constitution State The U.S. Constitution has been in the news a lot lately with two recent U. S. Supreme Court cases discussing the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. At the very same, the U. S. Congress was voting on legislation related to one of the cases. As most people…
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Is the CSPA Connecticut’s Chapter of the ASPCA? Not exactly. So what is the CSPA and why am I writing about it anyway? CSPA stands for the Community Spouse Protected Amount and the reason my blog focuses on it this month is because the minimum CSPA in Connecticut has been increased to $50,000 effective July…
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Given the recent unrest regarding the possible overturning of one of the most important laws in Women’s health, it’s important to look deeper into how Constitutional law may affect not only women’s rights over their bodies, but other cornerstone laws as well, and in return Estate Planning at its core. One of my favorite classes…
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If you need a lot of cash on hand upon retirement, Social Security offers a lump-sum retroactive payments option that’s worth six months of benefits. However, it comes at a cost. It is important to understand the details before agreeing to the payment. If you have waited beyond your full retirement age (66 for those…
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If you think estate planning is just for the old and wealthy, you are way off. Estate Planning in your 20s and 30s will build the foundation you need and be confident that your assets are safe, your healthcare will be managed, and that your children’s future is secure. I’m honestly embarrassed to say that…
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When a married couple applies for Medicaid, the Medicaid agency must analyze the couple’s income and assets as of a particular date to determine eligibility. The date that the agency chooses for this analysis is called the “snapshot” date and it can have a major impact on a couple’s financial future. Medicaid Eligibility for Couples…
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To leave a nursing home and return home is a goal for many residents and their families, but it requires careful consideration. While returning home is a good move for some, it won’t work for everyone. A nursing home stay does not have to be permanent. Many residents enter a facility temporarily to recover from…
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Given the current seller’s market and tax time right around the corner, I thought it would be helpful to bring back an article that I posted three years ago about how capital gains relate to real estate sales, but this time with a twist! Does The Capital Gains Tax Law Still Exist? How many of…
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The Biden administration has announced far-reaching nursing home reforms, targeting staffing and accountability at facilities with deficient care. Advocates are calling the proposals, which include the first-ever federal minimum staffing levels, the most significant reforms in decades. Why Is Nursing Home Reform Necessary? Nursing homes have been plagued by chronic understaffing and high turnover rates…
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Clients are often unpleasantly surprised to learn that having a Last Will and Testament does not negate the need for probate. And they are sometimes annoyed when they learn that even though they are named as the Executor in a Will, that alone does not give them authority to access the decedent’s assets. Yet both of these statements are true.
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