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On October 18, 2018, the Veterans Administration (VA) changed eligibility requirements for the benefit commonly known as Aid and Attendance, which is a VA pension for veterans who served in time of war, or their surviving spouses. You can read more about the changes that were implemented here. In short, the Veterans Administration changed the asset limit for wartime veterans to qualify for this benefit and also implemented a previously non-existent penalty period on asset transfers. By implementing these changes, the VA created a whole new set of rules, regulations, procedures, forms, … [Read more...]
Adventures in Estate Planning: Christmas Lights
I have always loved outdoor Christmas lights. I love seeing them up, and I enjoy the differences in outdoor Christmas light displays. My family and I used to drive around and look at outdoor Christmas lights around the neighborhood during December. My family continues this tradition, only my wife and children go with me now. Growing up, we visited a company in town that had a drive through display of lights for the community once every year. I am not sure if outdoor Christmas lights were so happy for me because of just the lights, or because I was so excited for Christmas to be here and … [Read more...]
Adventures in Estate Planning: The Same Day
It takes time to do estate planning properly. This seems like it would be obvious, but sometimes I need to remind people of this fact. I do my best to accommodate requests from clients, even if they are last minute requests. However, same day and last minute requests only work if I have time in my schedule, and also require moving quickly to prepare and sign documents, which can sacrifice accuracy, and cause problems in the future. I want to treat my clients right, and same day / last minute requests can compromise the ability to make this happen. Same day turnaround for an accurate … [Read more...]
Adventures in Estate Planning: The Last Minute
Many of the people I meet tell me that they liked how I come to see them, and that was a deciding factor in choosing me to prepare their estate plan. I am happy to hear my approach to serving clients is working. That said, traveling to see people isn’t without its own problems. In my travels, I sometimes meet people who are unable to get out, so they call me. Many of these individuals have waited to the last minute (or even longer!) to make an appointment to get their estate planning done, which makes for some exciting adventures. In this blog I’ll share adventures you want to avoid as you … [Read more...]
Adventures in Mobile Estate Planning – How To Prevent Tire (and Estate Planning) Blowouts!
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the tires on my car were wearing down. I knew I needed to get the tires checked, and I set a day and time that I could go to the tire shop to get them done. As I drove to the tire shop, I noticed the car was not driving correctly. First, the care just seemed to have trouble staying straight, then it began to vibrate, and finally buck forwards and backwards. This did not seem right to me. I looked into the passenger side mirror, and noticed that the tire tread from my passenger side, rear tire was moving outside the wheel well. I decided that was not … [Read more...]
What Will You Be? Picking the Right Halloween Costume For Your Estate
It is October, and Halloween is coming up. A couple of years ago my four year old asked what a friend of ours would be for Halloween by asking, “What will Erazz be for Halloween? A witch!” He mispronounced our friend Mirazz’s name, and made us laugh, but picking a costume is always a fun part of Halloween. Picking an estate plan may not be as fun as a Halloween costume, but comparing the two is why this blog exists, so let’s get to it: As a little kid, candy was pretty important to me, so I had to pick the right costume. I wanted to get as much candy as possible, as quickly as possible … [Read more...]
VA RULE CHANGES!
Aid and Attendance Asset Limits Change in October, 2018 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently changed the rules (with only one month’s notice to implement the change!) that make it more difficult to qualify for the VA’s Aid and Attendance long-term care benefits. The rules establish an asset limit, a look-back period, and asset transfer penalties for claimants applying for VA pension benefits that require a showing of financial need. The principal such benefit for those needing long-term care is Aid and Attendance. The VA offers Aid and Attendance to wartime veterans (or their … [Read more...]
Estate Planning: No Laughing Matter, Or is It?
One of my guiding business philosophies comes from the great philosopher Bugs Bunny “You can’t take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” I attribute this quote to Bugs Bunny because I recall having seen him say it once, but it is possible that the sentiment comes from somewhere else. I suppose many quotes are like that, you hear them from one person, or source, but they were originally from somewhere else. I still like to give Bugs Bunny the credit. I have been told that I have a dry sense of humor. I admit that is true. I use humor in a lot of different situations to … [Read more...]
Why I Love Being An Estate Planning Attorney
When college students I meet find out I am an attorney, many seem to want to connect with me and tell me they want to be an attorney also. I would ask them why do you want to go to law school. Many times the answer is “to make a lot of money.” I often laugh at this concept, most of the time even to myself, and not out loud! Instead of laughing out loud at them, I will respond that there are better ways to make money, and that if their only motivation is money, you probably ought to pursue a different career path. In eighth grade I had a Junior Achievement business professional tell me … [Read more...]
The One Big Thing You Should Know About VA Aid And Attendance Benefits
Wartime Veterans - Don’t Owe Your Soul to the Nursing Home Both of my grandfathers served during World War Two. One was a gunner’s mate on the USS Tennessee, and the other was a Corpsman in the Navy. Neither of my grandfathers really talked about the war that much, but their experiences significantly impacted their life path. My maternal grandfather used the GI bill to go to college, escaping the coal mine town where he grew up and moving on to a career as a university professor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIfu2A0ezq0 The first time I heard the song “16 Tons” or “I Owe my … [Read more...]
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