Article Category General Articles Page 2

Q.  My fiancé and I plan to marry. This is the second marriage for each of us, and we both have children from previous marriages. I have heard something about a “Pre-Nuptial Agreement” for couples in our situation.  Does that sound like a good idea? A.  Probably, yes.  In its simplest form, a Prenuptial Agreement Read Full Article

Q.  I hear that tax laws may change dramatically on January 1, 2013. Are there tax strategies that I should consider before year end? A.  Bush-era tax reductions are slated to end on January 1st,  unless Congress and the President agree on a way to avoid the “fiscal cliff” before then.  Absent such agreement, tax Read Full Article

Q.  My wife and I do not have long-term care insurance. We hear that Medicare coverage for nursing homes is limited. Do you have any tips on how to make the most of it? A. Sure. Medicare coverage for nursing home stays is really designed for short-term convalescence following a hospital stay. But if you Read Full Article

Q.  Prompted by the temporary increase in the gift tax exemption, my wife and I recently made gifts of $50,000 apiece to each of our 3 sons. Shortly thereafter my wife had a stroke and now needs full-time care in a nursing home. The cost is running about $7,500 per month and I need to Read Full Article

Last year, it was reported that House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) proposed a budget that would radically reshape Medicare and shift more costs to seniors and the disabled. At the time, we noted that “the plan may well become the Republican Party’s de factoplatform in 2012.”Little did anyone know that the plan’s architect would Read Full Article

Q.  I will soon be 66 and at full retirement age. I have the option of continuing to work for my present employer for long as I wish. How would my continuing to work affect my Social Security retirement benefits?                                                                                                A.  The connection between work and Social Security Benefits involves the following considerations: (1) The Read Full Article

Q.  My husband recently entered a nursing home and it appears he will be there for the long term. It is very expensive and I am concerned that we may lose our home and savings. Is there anything that we should do at this time? A. Yes. The first step is to take a deep Read Full Article

Q. My husband is in a nursing home and has qualified  for a Medi-Cal subsidy to help with care expenses. To qualify, I was obliged to take his name off of most of our bank accounts, so that most everything is in my name now. However, I have my own health problems and I wonder Read Full Article

Q.  I do most of my banking and bill paying over the Internet, participate in Facebook and exchange e-mails with friends and family. What would happen to these online accounts when I die or if I became disabled and could no longer manage them?   A.  Great question. As we move further into the 21st century, Read Full Article

Q.  Our parents are up in years and have become increasingly frail. I know that they both have definite wishes about advance care planning and end-of-life decisions. Any suggestions on how we might help them make sure that their wishes are honored? A. Yes, I do.  The first step is to begin the conversation.  There Read Full Article