Blog

Pooled Trusts

January 1st, 2018

A pooled trust is one way to protect the assets of individuals with disabilities who depend on public benefits to meet their basic needs. The federal law and Maine Medicaid (MaineCare) rules that authorize d4A trusts created for the benefit of one in… Read More

Categories: Special Needs Planning

Introduction to Special Needs Trusts

January 1st, 2018

A special needs trust is established for the benefit of an individual with disabilities. There are several types of special needs trusts, but the purpose of all special needs trusts is the same: to maximize resources and to administer trust assets wi… Read More

Categories: Special Needs Planning

Why Plan for Long-Term Care Expenses? Current Costs of Long-Term Care

November 17th, 2017

A research article published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that one-half of United States citizens turning age 65 will develop a need for long-term care services and supports.i One out of seven elderly adults will require… Read More

Categories: Uncategorized

Certainty from CMS on State Treatment of the New ABLE Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities

November 8th, 2017

On September 7, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued its letter to State Medicaid Directors regarding the implication of the ABLE Act for state Medicaid programs.1 The letter gives guidance and predictability as to how these ne… Read More

Categories: Uncategorized

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

November 2nd, 2017

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Here at Maine Elder Law Firm, we often work with families who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Early planning can allow for the individual with dementia to… Read More

Categories: Uncategorized

2017 National Conference on Special Needs Planning

October 25th, 2017

Jane Skelton presented at the annual National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 19 and 20, 2017. This is the 19th year that the Stetson University College of Law has provided this nat… Read More

Categories: Uncategorized

Tips for a Mainecare Long-term Care Application

October 2nd, 2017

In Maine, the Medicaid benefit is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and is called MaineCare. MaineCare can help pay for long-term care services for individuals who are both medically and financially eligible for the b… Read More

Categories: Uncategorized

The Voice(r), the Official Newsletter of SNA August, 2017 - Vol. 11, Issue 5

August 16th, 2017

The Voice is the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member Gregory Wilcox of Berkeley, California. Greg’s firm focuses on government benefits and estate planning for the elder… Read More

Categories: Uncategorized

It's Just Stuff, After All

July 11th, 2017

It is not surprising that only 42% of adults in the U.S. have a documented estate plan. It is easy to put estate planning off until tomorrow rather than confront the uncomfortable truth that we will some day die, and face the difficult decisions that… Read More

Categories: Uncategorized

Planning Ahead: Asset Protection Trusts

June 27th, 2017

Why Plan Ahead for Long-Term Care? Long-term care services are “a combination of medical, nursing, custodial, social, and community services designed to help people who have disabilities or chronic care needs, including dementia. Services may be pr… Read More

Categories: Long-Term Care Planning