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January 2022

Why You May Need a Trust in Addition to a Power of Attorney

By Stanley M. Vasiliadis, Esq., CELA While a durable general power of attorney that appoints someone to act for you if you become incapacitated is a great tool, in some circumstances it is not enough. In these cases, a revocable trust can help. A durable general power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you

You Can ‘Cure’ a Medicaid Penalty Period by Returning a Gift

Anyone who gifted assets within five years prior to applying for Medicaid may be subject to a penalty period, but that penalty can be reduced or eliminated if the assets are returned. In order to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot have recently transferred assets. Congress does not want you to move into a

Annual Gift Tax and Estate Tax Exclusions Are Increasing in 2022

The amount you can gift to any one person without filing a gift tax form is increasing to $16,000 in 2022, the first increase since 2018. The federal estate tax exclusion is also climbing to more than $12 million per individual. The IRS’s announcement that the annual gift exclusion will rise for calendar year 2022 means

The Difference Between Elder Law and Estate Planning

Elder law and estate planning serve two different -- but equally vital -- functions. The main difference is that elder law is focused on preserving your assets during your lifetime, while estate planning concentrates on what happens to your assets after you die. Elder law planning is concerned with ensuring that seniors live long, healthy,