East Hanover New Jersey Elder Law Blog
Finding the right guardian for children with severe autism
Parents of children with level three autism often want to find someone who is responsible and capable enough to watch over their child if both of them were to die. According to the DSM-5, those with the condition often have a hard time communicating verbally and...
Avoid guardianship hell with advance planning now
Here in New Jersey, many elder law attorneys still marvel at the case of Ada Vocino, which happened about five years ago. From all appearances, she had a loving relationship with her only child, Patricia. When the time came for Ada to give up her financial...
Advance directive: protecting your wishes for medical care
You may not want to think about your future medical needs. But illness or injury could leave you unable to speak or understand what is going on. Your loved ones may need to decide on what care you want without knowing your wishes. To ensure that your family and your...
Trusts and ABLE accounts: providing for your special needs child
Your special needs child’s Social Security benefits often don’t cover extra expenses that let your child live comfortably. As the parent, you buy anything your child may need to have a good quality of life. But what happens when you are no longer around? Your child...
How to maximize your social security benefits
As you inch closer to retirement age, you might have financial concerns since you will no longer be receiving a steady income. You may wonder if you can live off your social security benefits alone. Nine out of ten people over the age of 65 receive social security...
What type of trust is right for me?
Trusts can be a valuable asset protection and distribution tool. Trusts are utilized for various reasons, including tax and inheritance purposes as well as creditor protections. It is important to properly fund your trust with assets. Otherwise, your assets may not be...
Finding the right nursing home is important
Caretakers want to ensure their elderly loved ones are placed in good hands when they can no longer provide for themselves. When an older adult has their medical, social and emotional needs met, it can give them a smoother transition into the end stages of their life....
Tips for finding an experienced estate planner
While many Americans avoid estate planning, it’s a crucial part of financial planning for every family regardless of age or how much money they have. Estate plans include wills, trusts, power of attorney and health care directives as well as distributing assets after...
3 ways Medicaid helps seniors pay for health care costs
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that, when combined with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), provides health care coverage for nearly 73 million Americans. Most people associate Medicare with seniors, but more than 8.3 million people are...
Why asset preservation is so important: The basics
Navigating all the little rules and requirements for Medicaid can be frustrating. The one that can cause the most stress for many people, however, is the asset limit. As the American Council on Aging explains, each state can set an asset threshold for Medicaid...
