Posts by Hurley Elder Care Law
Medicaid Misinformation Creates Poor Long-Term Care Decisions
Last week we published a blog on the special Medicaid laws that protect spouses. As we mentioned, Georgia laws and regulations apply different asset limits, allow for spousal diversions, and delay Medicaid estate recovery for married couples when one spouse is in the nursing home. These rules allow for a well spouse to not…
Read MoreMedicaid Law’s Special Protections for Spouses
Georgia nursing home Medicaid continues to confuse families and professionals. One of the most confusing aspects is how the rules apply to a nursing home resident that is married vs. single. Nursing home Medicaid laws are different for single individuals than for married individuals. In many ways, Medicaid laws are more generous for those…
Read MoreGeorgia’s Personal Needs Allowance Increases to $70
After years of a stagnant personal needs allowance (it was stuck at $50/month for many years), Georgia has made increases two years in a row. In 2018, Georgia increased the personal needs allowance to $65. This year, Georgia has increased the amount to $70. This new personal needs allowance went into effect on Monday,…
Read MoreHiring a Professional to be Your POA
For most aging adults, family members act as the health care and financial agents. Most of us have a spouse, adult child, sibling or other family member who is able and willing to be our agent(s). More and more frequently, however, we are hearing from elder orphans—or those who have no adult children, spouse…
Read MoreHow Often Should You Update Your Documents?
Your estate planning documents should be updated regularly. They are not meant for you to “set it and forget it.” We recommend that everyone follow the following rule of thumb for updating their advance directives: Whenever there is a new decade, death, diagnosis, divorce, decline, or change in domicile, it’s time to update your…
Read MoreHas your Power of Attorney expired?
At least once a week we hear from a family member who has been told that her dad’s power of attorney has expired. In an effort to protect an account holder’s assets, many financial institutions will refuse to accept a power of attorney. They fear fraud and exploitation, so they will often create artificial…
Read MoreChoosing the Best Agent for Your Power of Attorney
Because a Power of Attorney enables your agent to act on your behalf for all financial matters, it is extremely important that you choose an agent that you trust. Effectively, you are giving someone else the power to spend your money, sell your property, and take out new lines of credit in your name.…
Read MoreQuiz: Are You Truly Prepared for Your Loved One’s Medical Crisis?
If you are caring for a disabled or aging loved one, you are likely anticipating a medical crisis to eventually happen: The dreaded call from a neighbor or hospital; a late night call from your loved one; coming home from work to find your loved one on the floor! Many of us think we’re…
Read MoreHow to Talk to Your Loved Ones about Their End-of-Life Wishes
Many of our clients have touched my life, changed how I practice, and informed my approach. There is one client in particular that I will never forget. He was 99 years old and came to our office for estate planning. He had just moved to Georgia from South Carolina to be closer to his…
Read MoreYour Advance Directive is Complete, Now It’s Time To Share It
Congratulations! You have completed your advance directive! Now what? It is important to now share your advance directive with some important people. You will want to make sure that each of the following has a copy of the advance directive: Each healthcare agent listed; Your primary care physician; Any specialists that you see…
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