If you are going to be a paid caregiver for your mother, you must follow some very strict rules. Here’s how it works. If your mother ever needs skilled nursing care, she may need to apply for Medicaid. Medicaid will penalize any payments made to a family member within five years as a “gift” unless… Read More »
Monthly Archives: August 2016
My big brother recently died with only one bank account worth about $13,000. He had no beneficiaries listed and I don’t know how to get at the money to pay for his final expenses.
My condolences to you on the loss of your brother. When your brother passed away and didn’t have a beneficiary listed on his account, the probate court steps in to direct where the money in his account will go. Thankfully Michigan has as “Small Estate Probate” procedure that allows you to take care of this… Read More »
Is Your Driver’s License Suspension Causing you Hardship? There May Be Relief!
If your driver’s license has been suspended by the Secretary of State, you may be eligible for a restricted license that would allow you to drive to and from work or other appointments. Under some circumstances, Michigan law allows an individual whose driver’s license has been suspended to petition a Circuit Court to grant them… Read More »
My father is going in for surgery next month and I was wondering what kind of planning he should do beforehand?
Great question. Your father should have at least a “base” estate plan in place. This covers three major areas: (1) incapacity, (2) wealth transfer, and (3) beneficiary protection. First, he needs to put someone in place for financial and medical decisions if he can no longer handle his affairs. Be very careful here – many… Read More »