Most think of a power of attorney as a late in life tool that is part of estate planning.  While this is the reason that most have a power of attorney in place, many are missing some of the advantages that make a power of attorney a must for everyone no matter what stage of…

Story by Marianna Brown Bettman, Professor of Practice Emerita at the University of Cincinnati College of Law Embassy Healthcare (“Embassy”) operates a nursing home where Robert Bell stayed before he died. Robert signed an admission agreement with Embassy on January 9, 2014. The terms of that agreement make Robert responsible for payment in full for any…

The VA Mission Act is written to give veterans access to quality care by streamlining all VA programs into one cohesive system.  The goal being that with one system veterans will receive comprehensive care that will include community services along with medical and mental health providers.  One of the biggest wins for veterans is the removal…

Clients can have many opinions about why they do not want to open a trust for their estate or family member.  Some think that trusts add a complication to the process, when in reality trusts offer the ability to leave an estate with any limitations that the client would like.  Still, there are a few…

We have discussed in past newsletters the 2.8% increase to Social Security beneficiaries in 2019, however, there are more changes to come.  The tax rate will stay the same at 6.2%, but the tax cap will be increasing to $132,900.  This will also increase the maximum monthly Social Security benefit to $2,861, up from $2,788. …

In our last newsletter we talked about QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relation Order) and how they can be used to transfer funds in-marriage.  One of our members posed the question,”What happens if the distribution has already began?.”  QDRO originally were formed to pay for child support, alimony, or marital property rights when divorcing.  A divorce decree…