Allen & Spence Blog
Next Steps When a Loved One Passes Away
When a spouse, parent, or other family member dies, what are the next steps you need to do? If you are facing a death in the family for the first time, you may feel at a loss as to what needs to be done. Make Funeral Arrangements. If the deceased person had a prepaid...
Does Medicaid have a Five-Year Waiting Period?
I recently spoke with a woman who told me her family had been paying for her mother’s skilled nursing care for years because her mom had given her home to her children and they were trying to get through the five-year lookback period. Do you have to wait five years to...
Do Attorneys Make House Calls?
From the 1800s through the 1950s, it was standard practice for doctors to make house calls. Sadly that practice has fallen by the wayside and patients are generally expected to show up at the doctor’s office or a hospital if they need medical care. Likewise, the...
Don’t Fall for the “Recorded Deed Notice” Scam
We often prepare deeds for our clients as part of our estate planning or Medicaid asset protection planning. We may deed a couple’s home into their revocable trust, or we may have a spouse who’s facing long-term care in a nursing home sign a deed transferring his...
How Old Do You Have to be to Need an Elder Law Attorney?
Many people assume that they don’t need the services of an Elder Law Attorney because they are not elderly. While Elder Law attorneys assist clients with issues that are often faced by senior citizens, the practice of Elder Law is not limited to just older clients....
Don’t Get Caught in the Trap of Hospital “Observation” Status
If you or a family member with Medicare are hospitalized, it’s important to know your rights with regard to “observation status.” Hospitals receive financial penalties from Medicare if they admit a patient who does not stay in the hospital for two nights. Hospitals...
