If someone you love or know recently passed away, you may have questions about handling their estate. The process of settling a deceased person’s affairs is called estate administration, and each state has its own set of rules and procedures. In this blog, we help you gain a better understanding of what it means to administer an estate. At...
Continue ReadingEstate planning is all about anticipating the unexpected. Life insurance is all about protecting those you love when the unexpected occurs. Including a life insurance policy in your estate plan can provide financial support for your family and reduce tax burdens. If you need help with a life insurance plan or with estate planning, don’t hesitate to contact the...
Continue ReadingMedicaid is the single largest source of health coverage in the United States. About 80 million Americans are currently enrolled in Medicaid. If you are considering applying for Medicaid, you may be wondering, Can I pass the income assessment of a New York Medicaid? In this blog, we discuss the requirements for the income assessment for Medicaid in New...
Continue ReadingOf all the awkward conversations to have with your parents, discussing their death might top them all. However, talking about estate planning with parents and retirees is important and necessary. In this blog, we discuss the importance of an estate plan and share tips on having this important conversation with your mom and dad. If you need someone to...
Continue ReadingFor most people, probate is an unfamiliar process that they are suddenly faced with after losing a loved one. In the midst of grieving, you’re trying to navigate a legal proceeding that involves paperwork and deadlines. That’s where a probate lawyer comes in. At the Law Office of Andrew M. Lamkin, P.C., we help families in New York through probate...
Continue ReadingCaring for an aging parent can be emotional and bring up old, unresolved issues between family members. It is not uncommon for families to disagree on what their mom, dad, or grandparent needs. Everyone has a different opinion and solution. Not only can these disagreements damage family relationships, but they may be detrimental to the elderly person’s care. With...
Continue ReadingYou spend your whole life building wealth and gaining financial stability so you can breathe easier as you near retirement. Without protecting your assets, you might be left holding your breath instead. Asset protection planning uses financial and legal strategies to safeguard your assets from creditors, lawsuits, seizure, and taxation. When you create a solid asset protection plan, you...
Continue ReadingAs of September 2021, 3,703,618 New Yorkers were enrolled in Medicare, and 7,213,006 had Medicaid. While you’ve probably heard of both Medicare and Medicaid, they are two different programs that help you pay for healthcare. Each program provides different benefits and has different costs. Your attorney can help explain the advantages and disadvantages of each program based on your...
Continue ReadingNo one likes to talk about what will happen after they die. Still, knowing that your assets will be distributed the way you wish and that your family will be cared for after your death can be a massive weight off your shoulders. Although many people believe that estate planning is very important, only 40% of Americans had a...
Continue ReadingIf you want to afford doctor’s visits and hospital care as you get older, you should know about enrolling in a Medicare health plan. While the tax penalties for failing to have health insurance ended in 2019, it’s still important to have coverage to protect your savings, home, and other assets. One study found that a person who did...
Continue ReadingThe Medicaid program can help you pay for nursing home care or home healthcare as you grow older. Most people pay for care out of savings, then apply for Medicaid once their assets are “spent down.” Of the 294 surveyed Medicaid applicants approved in 2012, 14% had over $100,000 in total resources. Therefore, estate planning and Medicaid go hand...
Continue ReadingBefore a loved one passes, they may spend some time in the hospital. Hospital bills and treatment expenses can add up quickly, especially with a progressive illness like cancer that requires expensive care. Debt collectors may start calling you at all hours, even while experiencing bereavement. Rest assured that the law is in your favor. In most cases, spouses...
Continue ReadingIf you’re starting to worry about what will happen to you and your family as you age, it’s time to consider choosing a healthcare proxy. A healthcare proxy is an important part of any estate plan. A well-planned estate eases the burden on your family. It explains your wishes for after your death as well as for your medical...
Continue ReadingIt’s a common misconception that anyone with assets isn’t eligible for Medicaid. In reality, 14% of all nursing home Medicaid applicants in 2012 had assets totaling over $100,000. New York requires those over 65 to report their income and assets (or “resources”) when applying for Medicaid. However, only some resources count toward the limit, and it only takes a...
Continue ReadingEstate planning protects your property and assets if you become incapacitated or die. It guides your family about your wishes for health care and finances when you can’t make those decisions anymore. If you don’t have a written estate plan, the state may make these decisions for you. When you’re remarrying, it’s time to update your estate plan to...
Continue ReadingReceiving healthcare through a Medicaid-funded program can make a huge difference in your well-being, but qualifying for assistance can leave you with questions about how to pay for your other needs. Housing is one of those needs. As New Yorkers know, figuring out how to pay for housing in this great state can be a constant concern, especially on...
Continue ReadingIf you or a family member needs skilled nursing care, you have plenty of issues to tackle regarding medical care, costs, and protecting assets. What to do with the house when the elderly enter a nursing home is often a primary concern. When you are facing the issue of an elderly person moving into a nursing home you must...
Continue ReadingLast month, New York finally adopted regulations implementing budget cuts from the state’s 2020 budget. Several of these regulations imposed a major change in Medicaid eligibility. These regulations also introduced a “lookback” period into New York’s state’s Medicaid program. While many agree that reforms to New York state’s regulations were necessary, the reception to the new rules is mixed....
Continue ReadingSending your son or daughter off to college is an exciting milestone for both you and your child. There is so much to prepare during this time, from housing arrangements to class schedules to moving day. If estate planning for your child is not on the to do list, it should be. With certain estate planning documents in place,...
Continue ReadingIt is tempting to try to create a will on your own, outside of a lawyer’s office. Bookstores, online services, libraries, and even friends may present templates for you to create your will. Your goal may be to save money and time and create the will yourself. However, when you make your will without an attorney, you are taking...
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