This is the second installment of a two-part series about the realities of and remedies for sibling rivalry over family inheritance. For more about what causes and complicates sibling rivalry, read Inheritance: The #1 Cause of Adult Sibling Rivalry. In part one of this series, we learned just how prevalent…
Assets count when it comes to qualifying for Medicaid, but some assets related to your funeral expenses are excluded, and prepaying them is an acceptable way to spend down your assets to qualify for Medicaid, or Title XIX. Specifically, here’s what the State of Connecticut allows: Irrevocable Funeral Trust or…
Imagine this… After your death, your daughter is having serious financial struggles and the money you’ve bequeathed to her would pull her out of financial misery. It would help her to pay your funeral and other outstanding expenses. But, because by law your estate must pass through probate, it will…
I inherited what from Uncle George? What if I don’t want it? You barely knew your uncle. When he dies, you learn that he named you his sole beneficiary in his Will and your children as his contingent beneficiaries. Sounds like good news, right? Yes and no. Some of the…
If you’re a family caregiver, maybe you have light duty, like taking Mom to the doctor every few months, or checking in with Dad a couple of times a week by phone. On the other end of the spectrum, you may be right in the trenches caring for a loved…
The connection between humans and dogs is one that hearkens back to ancient and even prehistoric times. Archaeological evidence of canine domestication dates back some 15,000 years, and some experts believe our interspecies love affair may stretch as far back as 30,000 years ago. While there is still some debate…
By Linda Raineault We keep hearing about delaying Social Security benefits. But we’ve waited years to tap into this pot! Well, if you can be patient, you may discover that patience is more than just a virtue. The good news is that medical science is extending our life expectancy in…
By Lara Schneider-Bomzer The Connecticut Supreme Court decision, Pikula v. Department of Social Services, established clear guidelines for determining if a trust should be considered a “supplemental needs trust” or a “general support trust.” In general, assets held in a supplemental needs trust are considered unavailable in determining Medicaid eligibility…
If you employ a home care worker either for yourself or to help care for a family member, you understand first hand just how vital their services are to maintaining quality of life. The value of these hard-working professionals is hard to measure in only dollars and cents, but ensuring…
When we get to a certain age, we sometimes experience what is jokingly referred to as a “senior moment.” We forget a name, miss an appointment or overlook a bill. But if forgetfulness or confusion starts to seriously interfere with daily life, it’s time seek medical help. The symptoms could…