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Chad's Blog
Words and phrases such as estates, nursing homes, mental incapacity, long-term care costs, trusts, and probate administrations do not exactly inspire feelings of wonder and excitement in most folks. Planning for these potential events can often seem a little scary and confusing.
At Darpel Elder Law, we hope to guide, teach, and see you through these legal mazes. To learn more about particular legal topics, please explore our blog.
Alzheimer’s Disease is Not the Only Cause of Dementia or Memory Loss
The word “dementia” comes from a Latin phrase meaning “out of mind.”
What Non-Probate Assets Do You Have?
Certain types of assets can pass directly to the beneficiaries without going through a probate administration.
When is Forgetfulness in the Elderly a Sign of Something Serious?
Everyone has a “senior moment” now and then.
What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will? Understanding Kentucky’s Laws of Intestate Succession
Failure to plan a will can frequently be a huge mistake. Kentucky’s laws grant tremendous deference to a person’s decisions made in a will, but none to wishes not included in a will.
Understanding Medicaid Estate Recovery
Planning for Medicaid, nursing home care, and the distribution of one’s estate are complicated and challenging concepts. When it comes to Medicaid, one thing many people do not know is that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has the authority to collect the costs of Medicaid benefits from a person’s estate when they pass away.
What is Probate in Kentucky, and What Strategies Can be Used to Avoid Probate Delays?
Probate is the process of settling and administering estates, guardianships, and other matters. When a probate court in Kentucky is asked to settle the estate of a deceased person (decedent) this involves closing out the decedent’s financial affairs, organizing assets, paying creditors, and interpreting the will. When there is no will in place, a probate court will be required to follow Kentucky’s laws of intestate succession.
Five Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Estate planning is one of the more complex tasks we will encounter in our lives – even if we do not believe we have many assets to manage.
Estate Planning Techniques to Avoid Probate
Whether you are in the midst of estate planning or have barely begun to consider it, it is always a good time to discuss these options
Five Reasons to Avoid "Cookie Cutter" Estate Plans
There are numerous services offering legal services that promise to be cheap and effective. Be careful. Often, you get what you pay for.
How to Use Special Needs Trusts
If you have a family member with a disability, you have probably wondered how to protect their financial assets while also helping them remain eligible for important benefit programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI).
Revocable Living Trusts as an Estate Planning Tool
One strategy to limit or avoid the need for probate is to establish a Revocable Living Trust and transfer assets to the trust. A Revocable Living Trust is an agreement allowing you to manage assets during your lifetime, and distribute assets to beneficiaries automatically upon death. The trustee – either yourself or another person – will manage, invest, or withdraw from the trust during your lifetime as appropriate. The trust will also designate a successor trustee (if needed) after the original trustee’s death, and identify beneficiaries.
Living Wills and Health Care Powers of Attorney in Kentucky
It is easy to confuse the Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney, or lump them together as something to be figured out later. However, if you are starting to consider an estate plan for yourself or a loved one, the time to think about these two separate devices is now.
Planning for Long-Term Care in Kentucky
Preparing for the possibility of long-term care for yourself or a loved one is a daunting task. First and foremost is the cost, which depends on the type and duration of care you need, the provider you use, and where you live. Currently, the cost of long-term care in a skilled-care facility in Northern Kentucky can range between $9,000 to $12,000 monthly. A home health aide, meanwhile, can cost at least $4,000 per month, depending on the type of care provided. The level of care and living arrangements can affect your costs greatly, and there are various types of long-term care available.
Adult Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Financial Exploitation
Sadly, a conservatorship or guardianship is sometimes used to exploit or control someone who’s vulnerable.
Don't Be Afraid of Medicaid Estate Recovery!
Don't let Medicaid estate recovery take more than what they're entitled to.
Questioning Mental Competency?
Does Your Kentucky Estate Plan Need a Letter of Competency? Many Kentucky seniors understand the importance of drafting a last will and testament. Just as important is making the necessary updates and changes to your will, and destroying previous copies to avoid a dispute over the true and corr...
Who's Afraid of the Medicaid Lookback Period?
The Medicaid Lookback period is often misunderstood. It can also be used to your advantage!
Should your elderly parents be giving large gifts this Christmas?
Gifting and Medicaid eligibility can be confusing.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Some of the early symptoms include memory loss, confusion, agitation, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, repetition of phrases or sentences, and rapid mood swings.
What is a Medicaid Resource Assessment?
A Resource Assessments will ultimately determine a married couple's specific asset levels to achieve Medicaid eligibility.
What is Probate?
Probate is usually necessary only when a person dies having had sole ownership of an asset without a beneficiary designation.
Will Medicare Cover My Loved One’s Long-Term Care/Nursing Home Costs?
Medicaid and Medicare are different programs that cover different health care needs.
Preventing Elder Injuries and Falls at Home
The CDC states that one in four elderly people over 65 will fall each year, but more than half do not share this with their family members or primary care physician.
Married and on Medicaid: The Resource Assessment
The Medicaid rules for a married applicant are designed to protect the Community Spouse from impoverishment.