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Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Oct 16, 20151 min read
Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Numbers Likely to Be Unchanged for 2016
With the just-announced September 2015 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) actually lower than the comparable figure in...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Sep 30, 20153 min read
When Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
Marriage Whether it is your first or a later marriage, you will need to update your estate plan after you get married. A spouse does not...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jun 24, 20153 min read
Surrogate Court Affirms Bequest To Same-Sex Ex-Partner
As Published in The New York Law Journal Decedent’s Former Partner Can Inherit Estate, Judge Says Andrew Keshner, New York Law Journal...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
May 29, 20152 min read
BB King heirs to challenge his Will and actions of manager
Associated Press in Las Vegas Lawyer for daughters and other heirs alleges business manager misappropriated millions, had been untruthful...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
May 7, 20153 min read
Why You Should Redo Your Estate Plan When You Remarry:
If you are getting remarried, you obviously want to celebrate, but it is also important to focus on less exciting matters like redoing...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Feb 21, 20152 min read
Estate Planning for a Single Person
If you are single, you may not think you need to plan your estate, but single people are in as much need of a plan as anyone else. Estate...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Dec 12, 20142 min read
Legal DIY Web Sites Are No Match for a Pro, Consumer Reports Concludes
After road testing three leading Web sites that help you create your own will, power of attorney, and other important legal documents,...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Dec 3, 20142 min read
WHY IRREVOCABLE TRUSTS VS OUTRIGHT GIFTING
So, why complicate things with a trust? Why not just keep the planning as simple and inexpensive as possible? The short answer is that...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Oct 2, 20143 min read
Three Reasons Why Joint Accounts May Be a Poor Estate Plan
Many people, especially seniors, see joint ownership of investment and bank accounts as a cheap and easy way to avoid probate since joint...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Oct 2, 20142 min read
How Gifts Can Affect Medicaid Eligibility
We’ve all heard that it’s better to give than to receive, but if you think you might someday want to apply for Medicaid long-term care...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Aug 5, 20142 min read
Heir tight: The dos and don’ts of creating rock-solid trusts
Good article via Jennifer Woods at Imagine working for decades so that one day you could pass your assets on to your children or...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jun 11, 20141 min read
Can you sue a hospital if you develop bedsores?
Click for online Bedsore Lawsuit Evaluation. Bedsores can develop quickly, progress rapidly and are often difficult to heal. Caring for...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jun 11, 20142 min read
Judge: Casey Kasem’s daughter in charge of care
The Associated Press PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state judge on Friday said Casey Kasem’s daughter, not her stepmother, is in...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
May 16, 20141 min read
Using a No-Contest Clause to Prevent Heirs from Challenging a Will or Trust
If you are worried that disappointed heirs could contest your will or trust after you die, one option is to include a “no-contest clause”...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Apr 4, 20143 min read
The New New York Estate Tax Beware A 164% Marginal Rate
Some timely tax news from Forbes staff writer Ashlea Ebeling: It’s no April Fool’s joke. New York state doubled its estate tax exemption...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Feb 19, 20143 min read
How to sell an inherited home:
Get good advice before putting mom and dad’s house on the market. Amy Hoak, MarketWatch. Selling an inherited house isn’t easy. There’s...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jan 21, 20143 min read
9 (Potential) Problems with Your Trust:
All trusts should be reviewed every few years to make sure that they are up-to-date with the law and meet your goals today. Following is...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Oct 8, 20139 min read
Plan wisely for your “$300 Million Dollar” estates…
Here’s an interesting article from Joanna L. Grossman, a Justia columnist, and Professor of Family law at Hofstra University about the...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Sep 23, 20132 min read
Can Life Insurance Affect Your Medicaid Eligibility?
In order to qualify for Medicaid, you can’t have more than $2,000 in assets (in most states). Many people forget about life insurance...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Aug 5, 20131 min read
Download a Free Guide to Medicaid’s Asset Transfer Rules:
This handy guide explains “countable assets” and “qualifying expenses” and also provides case studies as examples. Know who can give and...
Important news for seniors and their families
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