Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
A Brothers’ Dispute Over Mother’s Nursing Home Placement Is Not Domestic Violence
A New Jersey appeals court rules that an ugly dispute between two brothers over their mother’s placement in a nursing home did not amount...
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Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jun 21, 20164 min read
The Money Letter That Every Parent Should Write
As an elder law attorney I come across many clients that are looking to pass their wealth to their children–but how about passing on some...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Apr 27, 20163 min read
Did rockstar Prince die without a Will?
Who will get his millions? This article in USA Today states; Prince left no will, according to documents filed Tuesday by his sister,...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Mar 19, 20161 min read
Free Downloads: Easy to read elder guides for families and seniors.
Probate, Estate Planning, Healthcare Proxies, Medicaid Planning, etc. Get informed and find many of the answers to your existing...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Dec 26, 20151 min read
It’s Official: Estate Exclusion to Rise to $5.45M in 2016
The IRS has announced that the basic estate tax exclusion amount for the estates of decedents dying during calendar year 2016 will be...
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.
Feb 5, 20153 min read
Some Potential Problems With SSA’s New Trust Guide
As previously reported, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently instituted a nationally uniform procedure for review of special...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jan 28, 20153 min read
To Collect Debts, Nursing Homes Are Seizing Control Over Patients
The need to protect your assets is always at hand. Planning for long-term care with an elder law attorney can help protect your assets...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jan 22, 20152 min read
Can I Give My Kids $14,000 a Year?
If you have it to give, you certainly can, but there may be consequences should you apply for Medicaid long-term care coverage within...
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.
Nov 6, 20141 min read
Nursing Home’s Claim Has Priority over State’s Medicaid Claim
A New York appeals court rules that a nursing home that had a claim against the guardianship account of a resident is entitled to...
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.
Sep 11, 20143 min read
Tips: How to Track Down a Life Insurance Policy
Use these strategies if a loved one dies and you’re not sure whether he or she had a policy–from a Q&A of Kim Lankford of Kiplinger.com...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Sep 3, 20142 min read
State Can Recover From Entire Value of Property in Which Medicaid Recipient Had Life Estate
The Idaho Supreme Court rules that the state may recover Medicaid benefits from the entire value of a property that a Medicaid recipient...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Aug 30, 20142 min read
Why Irrevocable Trusts vs outright Gifting
People often wonder about the value of using irrevocable trusts in Medicaid planning. Certainly gifting of assets can be done outright,...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Aug 13, 20141 min read
New: Visiting Lawyer Services for Elder New Yorkers
Why should the elderly that aren’t as mobile as they used to be, or live in an assisted living facility or are even at home wheelchair...
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.
Jul 18, 20141 min read
Free Download: 2014 Benefits Guide for Seniors: NYC
Free download. NYC Department of Aging resources. Free benefits guide for senior citizens. For 2014, this guide from NYY.gov is a...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jul 15, 20142 min read
Court Ruling: Transfers Made Years Before Needing Care Were Not Made in Order to Qualify for Medicai
Doing Medicaid Planning for clients, I often get asked the question: “How does medicaid determine if my gifts were made to qualify for...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jul 8, 20142 min read
Heir Liable for Reimbursement of Mother’s Medicaid Expenses
Medi-Cal (Medicaid) recipient Merver Mays died, leaving her house as her only asset. Ms. Mays’ daughter, Betty Bedford, petitioned the...
Important news for seniors and their families
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