same sex marriage and estate planning girl walking through field with rainbow flag

When The U.S. Constitution Affects Estate Planning

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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social security retroactive payment - social security office sign

Some Social Security Beneficiaries Can Get Retroactive Payments – At a Cost

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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Capital Gains taxes

Capital Gains Taxes On Real Estate Sales – When You Can Avoid Them and When You Cannot

Given the current seller’s market, I thought it would be helpful to bring back an article that I posted three years ago. It is 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 you have heard that you…

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nursing home reform

Biden Proposes Major Nursing Home Reform

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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earned income tax credit for elderly

Earned Income Tax Credit Now Available to Elders Without Dependents

Working elders without dependents may qualify for the earned income tax credit when they file their 2021 tax returns. The tax credit assists those with low incomes but was previously primarily available to people with young children. How Will The Earned Income Tax Credit Benefit Elders? If you file taxes and your earned income is…

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Task Force to protect seniors

Task Force to Study Ways to Protect Senior Citizens

Recently I had the honor of serving as the co-chair of the Legislative Task Force to Study Ways to Protect Senior Citizens from Fraud. The Task Force was created pursuant to a bill enacted by the Connecticut legislature in 2021 and was comprised of ten individuals appointed by various legislative leaders. Besides myself, the members…

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Medicare wont cover at home Covid tests

Medicare Won’t Cover Rapid At-Home Covid Tests

Americans’ ability to quickly and easily test for Covid-19 is one of the most important tools for stopping the infection’s spread, unfortunately, Medicare is still behind the ball. This is why the Biden administration recently announced it is requiring private insurers to cover the cost of up to eight rapid at-home Covid tests a month…

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i love you will

What Is An “I Love You” Will and When It’s a Bad Idea

Most couples have what I call “I Love You” Wills, which state that all of their assets pass to the surviving spouse. Moreover, many couples own all of their assets jointly, so the assets pass to the surviving joint owner even without a Will. This is usually the outcome that couples want, but there are…

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