Welcome to the June Issue of the
Texas Elder Law E-Letter

 
 
 

Our office is now open (although some are working remotely). We are giving options to meet in person or virtually (phone calls, audio/video meetings, etc.) as we continue to follow CDC guidelines. Our next free virtual “Estate Planning Essentials” workshop will be on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call (214) 720-0102 to register or sign up online at www.dallaselderlawyer.com.

 

We begin each workshop by asking “What questions do you have about estate planning or elder law?” Then we proceed to answer your questions over the course of the workshop. Our goal is to make it easy for you to attend from the comfort of wherever you reside.

 
 

Due to so many requests for our article about what to do when a loved one dies, we have now attached a list of 47 things to do consider at that time on the home page of our website – www.dallaselderlawyer.com.

 

Please note that Michael B. Cohen’s radio show on estate planning and elder law can be heard on KAAM (770 AM) on Mondays and Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Prior shows (topics are categorized) can be heard as podcasts on SoundCloud and as indicated on our website www.dallaselderlawyer.com. Our podcasts can also be heard on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to be notified of future releases.

 
 

 

Michael B Cohen's Latest Blogs

 
 
 

 

 

IS THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL A VALID WILL?

 

If a will written on the fender of a tractor or on the back of a photo or even a blank piece of paper with indentions could be considered valid by a court, could your handwriting on a wall be considered a valid will? It probably depends on where you live – and the laws may continue to evolve with technology.

 

 
 

 
 

CHEAP POWER OF ATTORNEY COSTS FAMILY THOUSANDS OF $

 

A Pennsylvania appeals court has recently upheld a lower court ruling giving the agent the authority to act under a boilerplate power of attorney form even though the terms of the document were not followed. However, the cheap form and the failure of the agent to follow the terms of the power of attorney resulted in years of litigation, thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees and court costs and family discord.

 

 
 
 

SOLE BENEFITS TRUSTS COULD HELP NURSING HOME MEDICAID APPLICANT AND DISABLED BENEFICIARY

 
Sole benefits trusts are an exception to the transfer penalty rules for long-term care (i.e., nursing home, some assisted living facilities, etc.) Medicaid. Since most Americans have inadequate or no long-term care insurance and Medicare generally has very limited coverage for skilled care, many seek long-term care Medicaid to help subsidize the expensive cost of care.
 
 
 

 

 

FIVE TIPS ON DISINHERITING A CHILD OR REDUCING RISK OF SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE TO YOUR ESTATE PLAN

 

There are various reasons why a parent would disinherit an adult child ranging from failure to communicate for a period of time to verbal disagreements. Under Texas law, there is no legal requirement to name a family member as a beneficiary.

 

 
 

 

 

ALZHEIMER’S DRUG APPROVAL BRINGS HOPE

 

The FDA has recently approved the medication Aducanumab (which is to be given by infusion every four weeks) that studies have shown to slow the decline of cognitive and functional ability of patients (particularly if in the early stages after a diagnosis or those with mild dementia) with Alzheimer’s Disease.

 

 
 
 
Michael B Cohen's
Latest Podcasts
 
 
 
 

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