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…
Details
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…
Details
One of the most common questions people ask when planning for the future is, “Who will make decisions for me if I become unable to make them myself?” Ideally, you’ll never need a conservator. By creating a comprehensive estate plan that includes a Durable Power of Attorney and an Advance Healthcare Directive, you can often…
Details
Medicare premiums are rising sharply next year, cutting into the large Social Security cost-of-living increase. The basic monthly premium will jump 15.5%, or $21.60, from $148.50 to $170.10 a month. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the premium and other Medicare costs increased on November 12, 2021. The steep hike is attributed…
Details
Divorce is one of life’s biggest transitions. Along with dividing property, adjusting finances, and navigating new family dynamics, it’s also important to review your estate plan. While the attorneys at Reed Wilson Case do not practice family law or handle divorce proceedings, we frequently help clients update their estate planning documents after a divorce or…
Details
When applying for Medicaid’s long-term care coverage, in addition to the strict income and asset limits, you must demonstrate that you need a level of care typically provided in a nursing home. Whether you are applying for nursing home coverage or through a Medicaid waiver program for coverage at home, you must meet the level-of-care…
Details
Whether you are putting together your own Will or standing to receive assets left to you by someone else, you may wonder what the actual difference is between a beneficiary vs an heir. Some people may use the terms interchangeably, however, heirs and beneficiaries are not the same thing. Not all heirs are beneficiaries, and…
Details
The year was 1983: The U.S. invaded Granada. A gallon of gas cost 96 cents. Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ video premiered. That year was also the last time that Social Security recipients saw a cost-of-living increase steeper than the one just announced for 2022. This year, Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9 percent, the sharpest…
Details
Many families mistakenly believe that receiving an inherited property is as simple as listening to a reading of the Will and then that property magically belongs to you and you can do whatever you want with it. Sorry to burst that bubble, but a reading of the will is not a real thing – that’s…
Details
Part of my estate planning practice includes asset protection planning, especially for Medicaid. Many of my clients are interested in protecting their assets for their children. They know, either through personal experience or their own research, that the cost of long-term care could deplete their estates. The average cost of a nursing home in Connecticut…
Details