“It’s not easy being green” is a famous quote that comes from the iconic Muppet, Kermit the Frog. Why is this quote being brought up? Because while it’s not easy being green for Kermit, it’s not easy being a probate lawyer. We often get asked what kind of law we do. So when we answer [...]
While at a recent party with friends and family, I discovered how many people had misconceptions about the probate process and what a probate attorney can do. Many of the people I spoke with had preconceived notions about what would actually happen to their estate after they pass, such as only needing a piece of [...]
Written by Darren Findling Utilizing the Spend Down Option to Maintain SSI and/or Medicaid Eligibility People with special health care needs and limited funds of their own often rely on public benefits for their well-being. Some of the most common public benefits include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. To be eligible for SSI and/or [...]
Special Needs Trusts were made to provide additional income for individuals with special needs, such as autism. This income is used to improve the individual’s quality of life. With April being autism awareness month, it’s a good time to look at some of the things a Special Needs Trust can cover. For parents and caregivers, [...]
Written by Andrew Lorelli Supplemental Needs Trusts (“SNTs”, also called Special Needs Trusts) are a common estate planning tool. SNTs are for people who receive means-tested government benefits, as well as those who also may be the beneficiaries of an estate or the recipient of settlement funds after a lawsuit. SNTs are designed to allow [...]
New Veterans Administration Rules Released in 2018 The new rules will impact the needs-based benefits for veterans and surviving spouses. Clarification of commonly confusing areas like evaluating net worth, asset transfers, and income exclusions were the focus of the new rules. The Veterans Administration Final Rule, as it’s being called, created a new net worth [...]
We are bringing in new talent all the time! Andrew Lorelli, who started at The Probate Pro in November, comes to us as an experienced attorney. He has put in time working in criminal defense, no-fault insurance defense, family law, general civil litigation and unclaimed asset recovery, but he says that probate is his true [...]
Last week, the NICU Grandpa from Atlanta went from comforting premature infants in a local hospital to warming hearts across the nation. A retired international marketing executive, David Deutchman didn’t exactly set out to regularly get “puked on and peed on,” but it’s quickly become a new-found joy. He told CNN that one of his [...]
Fund Your Trust. Fill Your Crust! Creating a trust is much like baking a pie. Whether you’ve bought a pre-made crust or made your own, there is still some prep in readying it for filling. “Creating” a trust is the same as preparing a crust – you’ve given shape and form to the trust, but [...]
The common terms in estate planning can be confusing and overwhelming. Terms such as “grantor,” “trustee,” “settlor,” “successor trustee,” “executor,” “personal representative,” and many others are commonly used. So much legal vernacular is enough to make someone’s head spin, especially without any prior knowledge of estate planning. This post will focus on who a trustee [...]
