Most People Focus on Estate Plan Documents. Instead, Focus on Goals
So often, we meet with clients who want to “get a will” or “talk about trusts.” And we’re more than happy to talk about those
Ethan Huizenga
January 15, 2019
Watch Your Language: Intestate
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice (“Freewill” by Rush). Estate planning is based on a single choice: will you
Ethan Huizenga
January 8, 2019
New Year, New You: How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
Here’s a shocking statistic: according to Scranton University, only 8% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions. Some years I’ve been successful with my resolutions, other years are utter failures. In my experience, the times I’ve been able to keep my resolutions have had a few things in common. Here are three ways to stick with your resolution.
Ethan Huizenga
January 2, 2019
Watch Your Language: Beneficiary
The beneficiary is what it sounds like: the person who receives the benefit from a trust. [Read More]
Ethan Huizenga
September 11, 2018
Watch Your Language: Grantor
The grantor is the person who creates a trust. No matter what type of trust you have, the grantor is always in charge because they set the trust’s terms. [Read More]
Ethan Huizenga
August 28, 2018
Watch Your Language: Trust
One of the most common questions I hear during our Mutual Interviews is, “Do I need a trust?” And the typical lawyer answer is, “It depends.” In order to answer that question, we need to start by defining what a trust actually is. [Read More]
Ethan Huizenga
August 14, 2018
Watch Your Language: Snapshot Date
When you first submit a Medicaid application for nursing facility care (and Elderly Waiver, in Iowa), DHS takes a “snapshot” of your financial status as of the date you first moved into the nursing home. This is called the “snapshot date.” [Read More]
Ethan Huizenga
August 7, 2018
Watch Your Language: Asset
In the Medicaid world, the term “asset” is used when discussing Medicaid’s transfer penalty rules. As a result, “asset” includes both income and resources. [Read More]
Ethan Huizenga
July 31, 2018
Watch Your Language: Resource
The third test in the Medicaid application process considers whether the applicant has too many resources. But what is a resource?[Read More]
Ethan Huizenga
October 18, 2016
Watch Your Language: D.R.A.
In 2005, Congress passed legislation which, among many, many other things, changed the way a Medicaid applicant’s resources and past transfers are considered. This bill is called the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and was signed by the President on February 8, 2006.[Read More]
Ethan Huizenga
October 11, 2016