Question: My husband and I are in our late sixties and we are looking at long-term care insurance? Is there anything in particular we should look for? Answer: With the average cost of nursing home care in Michigan at over $8,000 per month, it’s always good to plan for long-term care issues. You may consider… Read More »
Blog Posts Page 7
What is included in Child Support?
Question: I pay about $3,000 in child support each month and my oldest just started college. I pay $1,000 per month to the school toward tuition and room and board. Can I deduct this payment from the child support and pay only $2000? Answer: In Michigan the answer is no in most cases. Because the… Read More »
I’m getting married for the second time and both my new husband and I have adult children. Is there anything different I need to do with my estate planning?
Yes. We see more and more “blended families” (marriages where each spouse has children from a prior relationship). You must take special steps to make sure you take care of each other, but also provide for your children after you are gone (if that’s your goal). This can be quite complicated. For example, what if… Read More »
“If I have kids. When is the best time to file?”
Every year there is pressure to get custody, parenting time and change of domicile or school issues resolved prior to the beginning of school in the fall. This is a good strategy because the Court is reluctant to make major changes during the school year. Most of the time it takes months to get these… Read More »
“My mom recently entered a nursing home. Can she give me the house and still qualify for Medicaid?”
Question: My mom recently entered a nursing home. We are trying to qualify her for Medicaid on our own. Should Mom and Dad deed the house to me? Answer: NO! Don’t do it! We regularly help families qualify for Medicaid without having to spend or give away all of their assets. There is a lot… Read More »
“What questions do I need to ask when hiring a Divorce Lawyer?”
One of the toughest decisions you have to make when contemplating a divorce is which lawyer you should hire. You are trusting a stranger with some of the most important decisions you will ever make. Selecting the right divorce lawyer means finding a lawyer who is competent and that you trust. Here are some questions… Read More »
I keep hearing about something called a “Lady Bird Deed”. What is it, and should I have one?
A Lady Bird Deed is a special type of deed used as part of your estate plan. Consider this example: You own your home. When you sign a Lady Bird Deed, you totally control your home during your lifetime – you can sell it, lease it, mortgage it, etc. However, if you don’t sell your… Read More »
I want to modify parenting time, how hard is that?
Modifying parenting time can be very difficult. There are specific statutes and case law regarding the criteria for modifying parenting time. There are two steps to modifying parenting time. First, you must show that there is a change in circumstances since the entry of the last Court Order. Then you must show that the change… Read More »
I am 28 years old and my husband and I just had a baby. Do we need a Will or other estate plan?
Great question. Most people don’t think they need an estate plan until they are much older. But it is important to have an estate plan at any age. This is especially true now that you have a baby. To begin, you will need to answer these questions: If something happens to both you and your… Read More »
What is included in Child Support?
Question: I pay about $3,000 in child support each month and my oldest just started college. I pay $1,000 per month to the school toward tuition and room and board. Can I deduct this payment from the child support and pay only $2000? Answer: In Michigan the answer is no in most cases. Because the… Read More »